UPDATE 6/11/13: Listen to the studio version of Pretty Lights’ “Exodus” remix and download here.
In light of Moonrise Festival being cancelled, many fans in the DMV area and beyond were lucky to see the would-be headliner Pretty Lights perform in downtown Baltimore at the Pier 6 Pavilion last night, June 8th 2013. Taking place right on Baltimore’s inner harbor as the sun began to set, those who attended, including myself, knew that this night would be special. Not only was it an incredible night in general, but attendees were given the honor of listening to Pretty Light’s remix of Bob Marley’s classic “Exodus” for the first time before its released June 25th.
The night began with local talent Racecarbed, followed by Brillz, who started the night strong with his trap-filled set. Many were still filling in the venue while he was playing, but those who were there were already dancing emphatically. He dropped a lot of trap regulars, including notables such as RL Grime’s “Satisfaction” remix, and a trap remix of Zedd’s “Clarity”. Gramatik came on afterwards, with much hype. His infusion of funk, blues, and electronic music never ceases to amaze me. We heard a lot of signature Gramatik tracks, such as “23 Flavors” and “Illusion of Choice” off his Digital Freedom EP, as well as his “Digital Liberation is Mad Freedom” collaboration with Griz and his latest release, “Bluestep”. This was a great set and really pumped everyone up for when Pretty Lights was to come on.
Gramatik and guitarist Eric Ales
Pretty Lights came on shortly afterwards to much hype from the crowd. Everyone was ecstatic once he arrived on stage. Recently, Derek Vincent Smith has dropped the LED screens from his live production, leaving only lights and lasers. While this may have upset some to begin with, as soon as set began, no one could complain. He began with a an interesting remix of his newest track, “Around the Block” off his forthcoming album A Color Map of the Sun. After starting the set off on a high note as the sun began to set, he continued with “Hot Like Dimes” into “A Million Tomorrows”, “Summertime” remix, and then dropped the classic “Finally Moving” as he stated “If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it!”
Pretty Lights getting it going as the sun sets.
The set then began to shift, as he dropped two songs in a row which were unreleased, most likely off his new album. They were both extremely funky, and I’m very interested to hear them officially released. He followed with “Ask Your Friends”, “How We Do”, “The Time Has Come”, and “Fly Away Another Day”. I loved these four in a row, and as the sun set, the lights and lasers became more prominent and worked great with the music. He then went into “Yellow Bird”, a song dedicated to his girlfriend Krystle, which featured beautiful yellow lasers. He exclaimed “I’m bringing back the slow dance,” as he dropped this downtempo track. He followed this slow jam with “Hot Like Sauce Rustified Remix” which got everyone going bonkers.
Lazer Shark killing it during Hot Like Sauce
The rest of the night ended well with some very good surprises. “Looking for Love (But Not So Sure)”, “Switch Up”, and a personal favorite of mine, “I Can See It In Your Face” followed. He then dropped the classics, “High School Art Class” and “More Important Than Michael Jordan”. I was really glad to hear these, as classic PL tracks always sound great live and are still very unique. The night ended extremely well, as he played “So Bright”, the Nine Inch Nails/Radiohead/Nirvana remix, and “We Must Go On”, which he dedicated to Krystle as well.
No LED screens were needed for this evening with Pretty Lights.
The last three tracks of the set were truly amazing. He mashed up “Total Fascination” and “Sunday School”, two of my personally favorite tracks, and the two sounded great together. He then dropped his Bob Marley “Exodus” remix for the first time ever, stating beforehand that “I’ve had the opportunity recently to f*ck with some legendary sh*t”. The crowd went wild as we knew what was to come. The remix kept the song’s original elements but added in PL’s unique style as well. Lazershark’s rasta colored lasers added a very cool effect as well. He ended his set with “I Know the Truth” which got almost the entire crowd jumping for joy. This was an extremely eventful night for PL fans, and I can’t wait for A Color Map of the Sun to drop this summer, as well as his other live performances this summer.
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