On St.Patty’s weekend in Nashville TN, Zeds Dead packed out well-known local venue, The Pinnacle, wall to wall. The lineup included AYCH, Nikita, A Hundred Drums, and Cool Customer who all played impressive sets. Once Zeds Dead took the stage however the crowd reached a new level of excitement. The set was well crafted and based around various movie references. The centerpiece of this show was their use of multiple box Tv’s around the stage. These Tv’s mirrored the visuals being displayed on the led wall behind them. This touch paired with the energy they portrayed on stage truly created an experience unlike any other.
During the intermission for staff to prepare Zeds Dead’s set suspense grew. Box Tv’s were being set up along the stage and visuals of static became clear. Once the brief intermission was up the lights dimmed and the show began. The room grew quiet and a stellar soundtrack began with low voices and a subtle beat. You could hear what appeared to be dialogue from a film referring to the Apollo 8. Suddenly the Tv’s began flickering and the visuals began along with a more drum heavy beat. Once this exposition concluded Zeds Dead greeted their fans and suddenly dropped into more of a Drum N’ Bass song.
This performance was comparable to watching a movie. You are taken on a journey through their music and visuals as the story rises to a climax and falls to a resolution. The songs would transition from impressive intensity with lasers and fog machines, to a softer more instrumental soundtrack. For example, towards the end of this set they began with a Nine Inch Nails “Closer” remix using lasers and fog to intensify the impact of the song, and then suddenly dropped into nothingness. Slowly you were eased into a remix of Fleetwood Mac “The Chain” with the faint soundtrack, and a visual of the original live performance.
In the example of “The Chain” the visuals were time aligned with the new remix. As lines were chopped and spliced together audibly the visuals also followed, creating a unique play on real film editing. This was an interesting take on the double entendre between film editing and the art of DJing. Both include taking what once was a whole piece and repurposing it into something new by reorganizing the context. For example, once they reorganized the film and the audio of “The Chain” they gave what is normally a slow and folksy song this cinematic and suspenseful sound that now aligned with the story they were conveying.
Overall, this performance is definitely one to see. I would love to have the opportunity to rewatch this set and analyze further the true meaning behind their artistic choices. The complexity of the design of this show, paired with the talent that this duo possesses is truly inspiring. Zeds Dead’s “Return To The Spectrum Of Intergalactic Happiness” tour is one to catch before it’s too late. You can find further information about this on their website.
Stay posted for more information about Zeds Dead and other out-of-this-world acts like them!
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