Normally there isn’t an amazing turn out for the very beginning of an event as people seem to think being late is fashionable and cool. But there was a large amount of people already roaming the grounds, checking out the merchandise booth, getting a quick bite to eat and securing their place on the beach. Hunter Siegel was on stage rewarding them for their passion and dedication by sharing his dark PLUR. We had lots of fun bouncing around in the sand soaking up the sun and the energy from everyone around. It was then time for Milo & Otis. They flew into action busting out their A-game from the get-go.
It quickly became time for me to hop back and grab my pass to meet the man himself, Skrillex. I was absolutely floored when I was contacted earlier in the day saying I was being given the opportunity to do a meet and greet for both days of the tour. I jumped at the chance and before I knew it I was being led backstage on the first day with a small group of other starry eyed fans to meet our idol. Lo and behold he was accompanied by none other than Dillon Francis himself. It was a dream come true. We had a fantastic time goofing around and chatting about music and shows we’ve been to in the past. We got a few signatures, Dillon photo bombed some very memorable pictures and we were whisked back onto the beach just in time to see GTA close out their set.
Dillon Francis was undoubtedly the smash hit of the first afternoon. Opening just before Skrillex with a brief cut of I.D.G.A.F.O.S. to let us know he had arrived, he played his massive new track Not Butter and an amazing ID with Someone to Die, a collaboration with Example. He seamlessly mixed in classics like Bootleg Fireworks, a definite crowd favourite of Without You, and throwbacks to his origins like Masta Blasta. He truly is a treat to see perform and should be at the top of anyone’s bucket list.
After a half hour set-up period, the moment had finally arrived. The timer on the screen had begun to count down as it does at every Skrillex show. To the tune of With You, Friends a large alien banner covered the stage and the crowd’s noise level on the now darkening beach began to climb. As the timer reached zero, the strobes were already going wild. The curtain dropped and the Mothership landed! Headbanging and jumping along to Imma Try It Out, Sonny Moore was finally back in Toronto and the crowd was going insane. He ripped through a number of classic tracks from Rock and Roll to Kyoto and Devils Den.
A crowd favourite was First of the Year, in which the epic “call 911 now” lyric was screamed by everyone at the top of their lungs. Half way through the set, the Mothership raises up, showcasing all its glory. The lights on the ship, combined with the stunning visuals from the screen in the back and the lights on the stage, prove why Skrillex’s production team is one of the best in the world. He was absolute fire when he played songs from his new album such as All is Fair in Love and Brostep with Ragga Twins, Stranger, and the title track Recess of which he played a remix. Also, my personal favourite, Dirty Vibe featuring Diplo, G-Dragon from Big Bang and CL from 2NE1. He even played Botnek & 3LAU‘s – Vikings, as he did at Ultra Music Festival as Jack U. The set ended with a very calming mash up of Disclosure’s Latch into the infamous Skrillex remix of Cinema.
Regrettably, the second day of the tour was relatively the same in regards to what Sonny played. Even down to what he said and how he interacted with the crowd near the end of his set. Although everybody had fun, it was a slight disappointment when you could almost tell the person beside you what was coming next.
The Mothership Tour was an unforgettable weekend at the beach. After a long and grueling winter, we all needed to get out and stretch our legs in the sun and sand. Although the Mothership is this year’s tour, Sonny shared his hope to me that maybe next year brings the return of the Full Flex Express! Until then, we will arrive home safely, stash our ticket stubs into our keepsake box and await the next time Skrillex rolls through town.
LINKS:
Matt Longmuir – EDM TOR
