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Sax and the City: Big Gigantic on 9th
Last Thursday, The Blue Note wrapped up its 9th Street Summerfest concert series, and it was certainly no small matter.
For the first time since Girl Talk in the summer of 2012, electronic music has grooved its way back to the outdoors. This time we were graced with the headlining act of Big Gigantic who delivered their classic funk-style electronic with some halloween flare. The venue was themed to fit the part with inflatables on stage and webs in the foyer of The Blue Note.
Seasonally, a rather warm day came to an end as St. Louis-native DJ LuSiD began the night soon after the gates opened. The early arrivers were given a dose of psychedelic funk that was key to get them ready for a long night of all varieties of electronic sounds.
As the sun set and the wind picked up, the onesies began to flock toward the venue. From all directions at the intersection of 9th and Walnut, party goers and music fans were flowing in to get a taste of the madness.
People were stacking up in front of the stage and began to sprawl on the front steps of other local 9th Street businesses as Big Wild took the stage to “I Just Wanna” to get the crowd moving. Vast desert landscapes and ocean scenes mesmerized us before Big Wild snapped on his live drums as the beat dropped. Big Wild’s show implements his unique remixes to other popular songs with the use of his live instrumental components. Among the ones played was, “Hey Mami” by Blue Note alum Sylvan Esso, where he live whistles the chorus. Other notable remixed songs played were “For The Love” by GRiZ, “Generationwhy” by ZHU and a common fan favorite “Stand Up” by Ludacris. He even mashed up his own “Venice Venture” with “Throw Some D’s” by Rich Boy.
Big Wild will be returning to The Blue Note on February 13! If you had a good time last Thursday, or if you missed out on the fun, be sure to come to this one!
Now a packed house, 9th Street was buzzing with people all around, inside and out of The Blue Note. At intermission, we reloaded on tall boys and laced up our dancing shoes. At around 9 pm, Big Gigantic opened up hot with their timeless jam with GRiZ, “Good Times Roll”. Rocking their monkey and blue Care Bear onesies, Dom and Jeremy joined the hundreds that made the decision to have a cozy concert experience. The crowd got up to House of Pain’s “Jump Around” and got down when Dominic mixed “As We Proceed” into the halloween classic, “Ghost Busters”. Even a happy couple showed they “Got The Love” by getting engaged under the October sky.
Last fall, Big G’s set was composed of songs off of their, at the time, new album. This time around we got a solid mix of songs from older albums in their career like “Stronger” and “Touch the Sky”. We also had the chance to hear a clean mix of “Get On Up” that segued into their remix of Kanye’s “Get Em High” while the production screen displayed live POV videos of the duo jamming out on each of their instruments.
This show was full of music and friends. The outdoor set up gives way for a wider variety of show experiences. You can rage in the front and get close to your fellow ravers, or chill towards the middle or back where you might see a few kids running around amongst the hoopers. You could also go inside to take a break from the noise and catch up with your friends. It allows for more of an overall experience on top of a live show. Big Gigantic played for a variety of people, but they still established the community atmosphere that is present at all 9th Street shows.
Just Announced: Griz, where computers and saxophones mix
If you’re looking to get the funk down, look no further. The Blue Note is happy to announce the upcoming GRiZ show on April 30.
Promoting his second album, Rebel Era, Grant Kwiecinski AKA GRiZ will continue his tour across the states and parts of Canada with a stop at The Blue Note. Rebel Era is the artist’ second album after Mad Liberation and can be streamed for free at mynameisgriz.com.
Kwiecinski, a Detroit native, labels his music as part of the “Mad” genre, attributing his talents to “computers, controllers, and the saxophone,” and states his influences range from funk to “glitchy bass” and “tight grooves.” If your lost in between all the genres, consider his tunes to be a mix of festival techno infused with soulful jazz.
GRiZ is like a one-man Big Gigantic, which is an electro duo that uses sax and drums to get a dance-y, hip-hop-y, jazz-y, EDM-y sound. Big G played The Blue Note back on Oct. 13 last year (watch a video from the stage’s perspective here).
But back to GRiZ. One of the best glimpses into his computer/saxophone mix can be heard in his new song “Hard Times.”
He also does remixes of all kinds ranging from rock to rap. One of his uploaded videos features a redo of The Who’s “Behind Blue Eyes.”
In all, if your looking for a young, innovative new talent, be sure to come by and check out the show.
Post written by Natalie Maggiore, Blue Note contributing writer.
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