Sub Focus
Grand Central, Miami
Saturday, June 28, 2014
Better Than: Staying home and playing FIFA 14 for Xbox One.
Only three days into his solo tour, English electronic music star Sub Focus blessed Miami with an Ultra Music Festival-worthy performance that left everyone in the audience drenched in sweat.
The music was loud, the people were dancing, and the energy was infectious.
See also: Five Worst EDM Gimmicks
For the most part, the only thing missing from Sub Focus' live performance was the live part.
But if you're willing to look past the fact that he's not doing much on stage besides hyping up the crowd, then Sub Focus puts on one hell of a show.
The event flyer said the show would begin at 11 p.m., but this is the 305, and even touring acts run on Miami time.
So it wasn't until midnight that Grand Central started getting packed, and still, there was no sign of Sub Focus.
Music blared through the speakers while people crowded around the stage in anticipation.
"Is that him?" asked a confused girl in the front row.
"No," answered her friend. "That's not anybody, but he will be on soon."
By the time Sub Focus hit GC's stage, the downtown party spot was full of shirtless Miami bros and brightly colored raver girls ready to throw down.
See also: EDM's Five Greatest Delusions
The crowd danced non-stop from the moment the main event started until the second Sub Focus walked off the stage.
Hands were held high and lyrics were drunkenly shouted throughout the entirety of the performance with Sub Focus basking in the love and support of his Miami fans.
As far as showmanship goes, Sub Focus was on point. His enthusiasm on stage carried over into the crowd, keeping the atmosphere alive and fun during his whole set.
Whether playing a fan favorite, like "Turn Back Time," or one of his lesser-known songs, the Brit bass producer's energy could be felt from the front row to the back of the room.
Another song the crowd went crazy for was "Tidal Wave," which features vocals from Australian indie-pop act Alpines.
The track is one of Sub Focus' most popular tracks off his second studio album, Torus, which was released in 2013.
And the fans went bonkers.
Sub Focus even tailored his performance to Miami, and he was able to feed off the crowd's reaction like a good DJ should.
The highlight of the show was definitely his musical improvisations during songs (slightly different melodies or new rhythms that may not have been a part of the originals, but fit perfectly) that he would base off of the audience's immediate feedback.
That's when the music was loudest, the people were dancing hardest, and the energy was the most infectious.
Critic's Notebook
Personal Bias: These young whippersnappers with their computer music are missing the beauty of a live performance with actual instruments. You know, singing, drums, guitar, bass. That kind of stuff.
-- Pablo Chacon Alvarez
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