This article was co-written with WRR writer Tyler Hubin
Two days until Madison Square Garden gets the heaviest dose of yet bass in its illustrious history. In the iconic venue that has seen a combined 6 world championships from the New York Knicks and Rangers, we’re going to get ugly in ways never before seen come October 4th. From Washington State to Philly and everywhere in between, attending a Bass Center has been a rite of passage of sorts for Bass Heads. You may have attended a Bassnectar show, but you haven’t experienced its full potential without the 100% curated stage, sound, and atmosphere a Bass Center allows.
In nearly its fourth year there are few events that can boast the longevity Bass Center can. Is it because of the insane fanbase Lorin Ashton calls his own? Is it the mind blowing live performances courtesy of Lorin and his team? The answer is most likely a beautiful combination of both, and the result is a gathering unlike anything else in electronic music. Follow us down the rabbit hole as we delve into the history of Bass Centers I-VII in preparation for the madness to come on Saturday.
Bass Center I: Broomfield, CO 10/24/2010
If I could go back in time to attend any of Lorin’s past shows it would without a doubt be the inaugural Bass Center. Taking place in beautiful Colorado, this represented the beginning of a beautiful relationship between Bass Center and the passionate fanbase it attracts. This one set the tone for each of the next six Bass Centers, showing off the custom sound and lighting it’ll later be known for. With three stages and artists like Ott, Jantsen, and others, lineups like these that make you long for the days of 2010. Not too much superstar/celebrity DJ power…just insanely talented artists.
Bass Center II: Ashville, NC 2/19/2011
Bassnectar and Glitch Mob. At Bass Center. This all happened on that fateful day in 2011 at the Asheville Civic Center. Digging through the comment section on his website, you can see Lorin checking in and frequently exchanging comments and thoughts with his fans. It’s this kind of fan interaction that endears Bassnectar to his fans so much, and it’s fascinating to look back on to see where it all starts. In response to a concern about the availability of water, Ashton went on to reply..
“We will have more free water than any other large event i am aware of in the country…we pass out tons of free water in the front, and try at all times to have water in the lobby, or somewhere (it is a struggle to get this done and we are doing it :)”
Asheville was given a treat that day. Bass Center II served as a harbinger of things to come on the southeast, with Smashville NYE right around the corner. With no signs of slowing down, Lorin and his team cooked up plans for the third installment to come later that year.
Bass Center III: San Francisco, CA 9/17/2011
With heavy hitters like Wolfgang Gartner and Big Gigantic at none other than San Fran, this was set up from the start to be the biggest Bass Center yet. Dan Deacon made his second appearance so far, and Bassnectar prepped the Bill Graham Civic Auditorium for the sort of mayhem that’ll ensue in the following three years. Again, it’s mesmerizing to go back and look through the comment section, take a look here as Lorin shares his thoughts on age-limit shows and overzealous fans who want to smash their face in the dirt.
Bass Center IV- Washington, D.C. 9/24/2011
Just seven days after the madness of Bass Center III, Bassnectar was back at it in the nation’s capital. Big Gigantic joined for the second time to date, and Z-Trip rounded out this fantastic bill along with DJ Laura to make this an unforgettable night for anyone who made it out. By this time you’re starting to see a theme; Bass Center is made to be different from any show you’ve been to yet. From the lighting, to the display, to the atmosphere and people it brings in, there isn’t much like it. Take a look at the clip below to see exactly what it was like.
Bass Center V: Philadelphia, PA 4/20/2012
Spirits were high in Philly on April 20th for the 5th edition of Bass Center. Separating itself from being “another stop” on the 2012 Vava Voom tour, Lorin brought along DJ maestro A-Track and the always funky VibeSquaD in addition to his beefed up production. The Bassnectar team kept up their ways of allowing everyone to get in on the action, labeling it an all-ages event once again. This proved to be the last one on the east coast until October 2014, reminding everyone that good things indeed do come to those who wait.
Bass Center VI: Seattle, WA 5/12/2012
The Bass train pulled up and tore apart Seattle for the second of three Bass Centers that Lorin and crew hosted in 2012. Aptly named the “Vava Voom Tour” after the album released in 2012, I can only imagine the reaction of the crowd when they heard some of the tracks off the album for the first time. “Ugly”, “Ping Pong”, “Do It Like This”, and one of my all time favorites “What ft. Jansten” ripped through the WaMu Theatre and made this a show that Endub Bass Heads would never forget.
Bass Center VII: St. Louis, MO 10/6/2012
The latest Bass Center might be the greatest yet, at least as far as lineup is concerned. With a supporting cast of Zeds Dead, Gramatik, and Gladkill, there is no way they could’ve balanced out the bass with the groovy any better. Fans would have been ecstatic with one of these artists on the bill..throw all three on there and you have a mini festival on your hands. Nobody at the time could’ve told you that it’d be two years until the next one, but come Saturday it’ll all be worth it when we step foot in Madison Square Garden.
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You forgot Bass Island in NY !