04-21-2010, 02:54 PM
Hello all, just thought I might share with you guys one of the most epic live music experiences I have ever had. Several months ago, one of my friends alerted me that Bassnectar was going to be performing on 4/20 in Buffalo, a large city in the westernmost part of New York state. Being a huge fan of dubstep, I was very excited about this show and knew that it would be epic. I bought tickets right away and waited for what seemed like forever for 4/20 to arrive. Buffalo is a sizable trek from where I live (approx 3 hrs), and this year 4/20 fell on a Tuesday. This was mildly unfortunate being that my friends and I are devoted college students, however, our love for dubstep, and Bassnectar particularly, was something we were more than willing to make arrangements for. So the day was here. I went to class, rocked a test in abnormal psych, and was feeling increasing amounts of excitement as our time of departure approached. I gathered my things, called my friends up, and left my house. Although the 3 hour haul on the thruway can be draining, it was made pleasant by the awesome bose sound system I have in my car. One of my friends is a DJ and selected only the most chillin electro, house, and dubstep for our ears. We all agree that we do going to shows right by not allowing the car to smell like weed (because we dont smoke it while in the car), and using a gps to help us navigate the rather intimidating and trippy expressway systems of large cities like Buff. We stoped quickly at the University at Buffalo to pick up another friend. This is where I loaded myself with drugs. I had crushed up a pink star e pill, and out of a love for economy, snorted half of the roll up each nostril. This was a bit rugged, mainly because of the volume of the powder and the fact that its a sketchy e pill which is cut with god knows what. I also brought along a hit of some very potent LSD in the hopes of acheiving a mellow and subtle candy flip. With the drugs on their way to my brain, we left UB and headed downtown to the Tralf Music Hall. I was able to park for free surprisingly and we only walked about a hundred feet to the venue. I had never been to Tralf before and was very excited to evaluate a new venue. Although the will call system was the most disorganized and incompetent thing I have ever seen, we were afforded a rather smoothish entry. Upon entry, I immediatly knew I was going to have a blast. This venue is very large and sports a very modern, expensive feel. I was starting to feel the first subtle signs of the candy flip and was bopping around happily to the opening DJ, DJ Vadim. Although he wasnt all that great, it was music and I was loving it. A short while later Bassnectar's set was about to start. I must note that I could tell this was going to be an extreemly wild party. Looking around, I saw that everyone's faces were filled with an intense look of energy and desire; a disire for dirty, filthy, grimy, yet oh-so-sweet Bassnectar. Another cognitive thread that I was focused on was that of how much I love EDM culture and the crowd that it brings. Everyone is extreemly pumped, yet peaceful and respectful of surrouding show goers' space. These kids are here for the music and an intense psychedelic experience; not to get super fucked up and slam around, not really caring that much about the art. Bassnectar appears before us and everyone goes wild. We know shits about to go DOWN. I know youre probably expecting an elaborate, colorful description of the music but unfortunatly, thats not possible. Bassnectar is not something that can be put into words; you simply must experience it live. If you havent already, I encourage you all to hit up his music, and start planning to see this musical god. We experienced the pure power and force of this intense set till like 1 something. As we were leaving the venue, all that could be heard were starstuck ravers talking about how epic the show was, and also how shitty it was going to be later that morning, given that it was the middle of the school/work week. So we got into my car, put on some smooth progressive minimal, dropped my friend off at UB, and were back on the monstrous thruway, counting the exits one by one. I was able to dose and chill because one of my friends offered to drive back. We arrived to my friends house at about 5:30. My other friend who did not go with us, although is huge into EDM, lives at this house as well and had a chillin bed set up for me to crash on. I slept till about 9:45 ish when my friend and his girlfriend woke me up. I hear "Tyler, there is an emergency" , I snap up and hear "Just kidding, Alyssa and I made you breakfast!" I was very happy to hear this and felt that great sense of interpersonal warmth that characterizes our friendships. They had brewed delicious New England coffee and prepared exotic scrambled eggs and toast. I ate while enlightening them to the wonders of live Bassnectar. We talked for awhile about Camp Bisco 9, growing cannabis, (we coincidentally started our seeds on 4/20 
) and just generally about how great life is. at about 10:40 I headed out and made my way back to my house. I got ready and went to sociology to find that I got a 49/50 on a rubric-style graded paper I wrote. Needless to say, I had a wonderful 2 days that I will never forget. The love and vibes that emanate from my friends and I are indescribable, and I cant wait to have my entire life to experience epic music events with them.
) and just generally about how great life is. at about 10:40 I headed out and made my way back to my house. I got ready and went to sociology to find that I got a 49/50 on a rubric-style graded paper I wrote. Needless to say, I had a wonderful 2 days that I will never forget. The love and vibes that emanate from my friends and I are indescribable, and I cant wait to have my entire life to experience epic music events with them.
