Steve Aoki Brings Crowd Together

By Julianne Miller, Arts Editor

The Delmar Racetracks hosted more than your casual bidding on Friday, Aug. 29, finishing off the last weekend of the summer with a bass drop. A massive gathering of all ages raced in to witness the popular electro house musician, Steve Aoki, giving an exceptional performance to his home of Southern California.

Aoki appeared on stage at 8 o’clock, with a violently happy reaction from the crowd. People were pressed against the fences on all four sides, girls climbing atop their boyfriends’ shoulders, everyone raising an arm to night sky, all to welcome Aoki.

He created a sense of intimacy, sharing his yet-to-be-released album, “Neon Future”, with the audience. Preceding every new track, Aoki announced its exclusive nature, and how it had never been heard before by the public. Each track took a little more from the crowd, pulling them closer to the stage, urging them to scream a little louder, as Aoki orchestrated their emotions.

His most popular of songs, such as “Boneless” and “Warp 7.7” really caused uproar among fans, who sang along and danced at every drop like clockwork. Aoki followed his crowd, throwing up two fists and shouting along with his tracks. Behind him, a screen played out music videos and tossed out promotions for his upcoming album, while the lights flashed vibrantly above, colors of yellow, green and red.

The mosh pit existed as a pulsing creature, all jumping and fist pumping in unison. At times the pit would beg for the privilege to be “caked”, a tradition of Aoki’s in which he tosses a birthday cake onto the crowd. Everyone looked wet with sweat, sore from the constant dance, yet they all shared the common love of EDM. And Aoki brought them all together for one night.