Live/Photos: Dan Deacon Throws One Hell Of A Party @ Emos!
photo : valerie@fremin.net
If anyone read my recommendation for the Dan Deacon show that happened last Friday @ Emo’s, one would understand that my reasons for checking out the performance were purely drawn from curiosity, not from being a fan or even being familiar with much of his work. Well, if curiosity killed the cat, you can consider me one hell ass happy dead feline!!
photo : valerie@fremin.net
I can honestly say that my expectations for the show fell well below what I was part of on Friday night. When I say a part of, I mean a part of, as you don’t go to watch a Dan Deacon show, you go to experience a Dan Deacon show, to be a part of a Dan Deacon show, along with a few hundred other folks that instantly seem to become your friends.
photo : valerie@fremin.net
After a 45 minute showing of the potentially epileptic seizure inducing DVD Ultimate Reality, a collaborative effort between Deacon and visual artist Jimmy Joe Roche, the master of ceremonies settled in for a lesson in how to have fun. Setting up his table of tools, sound manipulating devices, and lights on the ground in front of the stage was expected. I’ve seen the photos from previous shows and this was one selling point when deciding whether or not to attend this show. After asking the audience to fill in the empty space on stage which he was set up in front of, the show was to begin with the ever present glowing green skull perched for party. Establishing his control from the get go, Deacon had the audience raising their left arm into the air pointing one finger towards the sky and kneeling down on one knee at his command. Deacon begins to weave his magic of electronic beats, whirs, squeals, pops, and screams during which you can feel the audience’s excitement begin to grow as each song passes, the party gets looser and the dancing and sweating ensue.
photo : valerie@fremin.net
Not being a huge follower of the Deacon previous to my experience, I cannot list off the songs played, and whether or not they were the ones that everyone wanted to hear. I can tell you that each one sounded great, more dance beat driven than I was expecting. The audience showed it’s approval by singing along at the top of their lungs when lyrics were present, and pumping their fists at Dan as if to force more energy into the master’s creative output. All I could do was sit back, and watch the scene unfold into this undulating mass of sweat and positive vibe energy that took over the room.
photo : valerie@fremin.net
The human tunnel that made it’s way from the stage to the back of the room and bank to the stage was a pleasant party favor, along with the dance off that took place in the circle of fans, with Deacon overseeing the myriad of freestyle moves. Once again establishing himself as the master of this ceremony that was to be nothing more that a union of good tunes, and positive happy vibes. The announcement of one last song was repeated a few times much to the delight of the crowd each time the statement fell false. Eventually it would all end, and left in the dust were newfound fans and satisfied devotees of the Dan Deacon. I might not run out and buy the music of Dan Deacon, but you can bet your ass, I’ll jump at any opportunity to be a part of the Dan Deacon Experience next time it comes anywhere near me.
photo : valerie@fremin.net
There’s still plenty of time for you to catch Dan Deacon on tour. More photos and tour dates after the jump.
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photo : valerie@fremin.net
photo : valerie@fremin.net
photo : valerie@fremin.net
photo : valerie@fremin.net
January 17th – San Francisco, CA @ Great American Music Hall
January 18th – Portland, OR @ Backspace
January 19th – Portland, OR @ Holocene
January 20th – Seattle, WA @ Neumos
January 21st – Vancouver, BC @ Richards on Richards
January 24th – Minneapolis, MN @ First Avenue
January 25th – Chicago, IL @ Lakeshore Theater (now w/Dan Deacon set as well)
January 26th – Chicago, IL @ Metro with Girl Talk (SOLD OUT) no UR
January 27th – Detroit, MI @ Scrummage University
January 28th – Cleveland Heights, OH @ Grog Shop
January 30th – Montreal, QC @ La Sala Rossa
January 31st – Boston, MA @ The Pozen Center
February 3rd – Philadelphia, PA @ First Unitarian Church
February 8th – New York, NY @ The Whitney Museum of American Art
February: JAPAN TBA
February 22nd – Sydney, AUS @ Oxford Art Factory
February 23rd – Melbourne, AUS @ The Evelyn
February 24th – Melbourne, AUS @ The Laneway Festival
February 27th – Perth, AUS @ Perth International Arts Festival
February 28th – Adelaide, AUS @ Rocket Bar
February 29th – Brisbane, AUS @ The Troubadour
March 1st – Brisbane, AUS @ The Laneway Festival
March 2nd – Sydney, AUS @ The Laneway Festival
March 8th – Everglades National Park – Langerado Festival
more dates filling the gaps to be announced soon!
amazing photos and recap! twas so much fun!
[...] for those who want to relive the incredible party that Dan Deacon put on the other night, or if you want to see what you missed then check it here: Dan Deacon live @ [...]
I’m so glad that you had a good time at this show man, it was one to remember. Great pics, great review, great time.