Steve Aoki in London

               

On Saturday September 10^th Steve Aoki performed at Club Koko in London for the club’s Electro vs. Dubstep Wars.  Though this was my second time seeing Steve Aoki live, this show was much different from most of the electronic music shows I’d been to. The typical “rave scene” that I had become accustomed to was generally typified by crowds of sloppy, sweat-drenched, half-naked ‘ravers’, dancing and doing drugs in an empty warehouse or other dingy club venue. In comparison, the scene at Koko, however, felt much more ‘posh’ and glamorous than what I’d normally have expected, and overall, the vibe and venue were much more enjoyable.

I first arrived at the club and gazed upon the huge ‘Koko’ sign illuminated against the club’s neon-pink, neo-classical exterior, then made my way to the end of the line that wrapped all the way around the building’s periphery. After waiting for what seemed an eternity, I entered the club, immediately feeling the beat of the music, giddy and eager to make my way to the dance floor. My friends and I made our way to the bar area, and ordered our over-priced cocktails from the model-esque bartenders in tight black outfits, all busy serving drinks to queues of trendy Londoners, then continued to work our way toward the stage, a fantastical sight framed by lush, red-velvet curtains and its proscenium arch adorned with golden statues of cherubs and angels.

The spectacle was only a small part of the overall experience however. The music as well as Steve Aoki’s stage performance and enthusiastic interaction with the audience were what really made this event memorable.  Aoki performed a number of his most popular tracks and introduced some new material off his latest album as well, pumping up and invigorating the audience, who danced along enthusiastically, pumping their fists in the air, and banging their heads with the heavy beat of the bass.  Aoki kept the momentum going with his vivacious audience interaction, popping bottles of champagne, guzzling it down then spraying members of the audience. Later he climbed up the side of the stage onto the balcony and jumped off into an inflatable raft supported by the crowd, and at one point, even threw a cake at the audience. While under normal circumstances such acts may have been met with shock and outrage, in this setting, audience members were all too delighted to be doused in cake and champagne by an international superstar. Aoki’s dynamic charisma, light-hearted playfulness, and energetic musical performance, made this a highly successful and entertaining event, and for me was one of the most enjoyable and memorable experiences during my all-too-short stay here in London.