Noise Revolt: A Night Of Future Beats And Infinite Permutations

Bass music is booming in LA. One of the most interesting groups exploring the full spectrum of this music is Noise Revolt. According to founding member Chief Jesta, “Noise Revolt is a LA based music label and art production company, which was founded by a group of artists in 2013.

“Since its conception, Noise Revolt has hosted a unique, diverse roster of DJs and musical artists from around the globe; while also curating artistically crafted event experiences that give artists of all mediums a platform to express their emotions.”

Elaborating further, “Along the journey, I created Momentive, a Noise Revolt sub-brand with the intention of curating vibrantly powerful drum and bass shows. The name Momentive stands the evolution of perspective within the genre’s momentum and praises the growth in the future of drum and bass culture. Within just two years, Momentive has had the opportunity to debut world renowned artists such as Alix Perez, and artists from the label Flexout Audio: such as Taelimb, Fearful, Conscience, and most recently Ewol (Flexout Audio/Dispatch Recordings/Lifestlye UK/Plasma Audio/BNKR.)”

On February 16th, 2019, they delivered exactly this to all in attendance.

PRISM started the night off, with the mutated warpings of all things bass. The hypnotic throbbing beats gradually built in intensity, releasing into grimy rhythms that sucked you into the floor. When the lyrical flow of MC Woes meshed perfectly with the glitchy percussion and monstrous vibrations, it created an energy that suddenly got everyone moving. That only increased when he launched into bursts of drum and bass; giving a preview of the diverse sounds laying ahead.

KEEKZ took over the decks, launching straight into high octane DnB. As deep bass tones enveloped the room, everyone’s attention was pulled center stage. This set was a tour de force of drum and bass, as he employed nearly every style and subgenre: the crack of the snare during jungle chop ups, the otherworldly synths present in neurofunk, soothing warm basslines found in liquid, the technical explorations of minimal, etc. This deft play between hard hitting anthemic buildups and smooth driving vibes created a buzz in the atmosphere of the room, driving everyone to dance even harder.

We knew we were in for a treat next, as a metal sign towering at the back of the stage was set on fire, displaying the name, AIRGLO. Delivering a concise and focused set, this one was as heavy as it was complex. Layering the energy of technical drum patterns with razor sharp bass lines, the crowd rabidly fed off it, growing rowdier by the minute. Airglo employed an impeccable sense of flow throughout his set, leaving everyone guessing what would come next. He provided a unique twist as well, playing keyboard compositions live over the tracks. It demonstrated precise timing and brought a layer of spontaneity not usually associated with electronic music.

Three DJs in, and the night was going strong. Up next were the heavy vibes of EWOL. Just a few minutes into his set, and the growling sub bass coming from the speakers was melting my ears. Combining that low end with hypnotic grooves, he delivered the bass explorations we all were craving. Known for a rolling minimal sound, he used a diverse assortment of tracks displaying it. What caught my ear the most was how fluid the set was, despite the use of a large number of angular, jagged, and/or “off-key” tracks. As the twitchy insect-like high end and deep vibrations came to a climax at the end of the set, it created a fever pitch right at the peak of the party.

After that fiery set came the next dose, at the hands of TAELIMB. Almost instantly, you could hear him dial in his unique sound, as he kept the deep and dark vibes rolling. Scuzzy stabs of fuzz, subterranean bass lines, and expertly crafted beats defined his set. One of the best surprises for me came when he dropped “The Jackal” by Kodo. A throbbing deep track, and a personal favorite, it was one I never expected to hear live. It exemplified what we love about live DJ sets: hearing the favorites and hits while also being exposed to the forgotten and/or unknown ones. Taelimb demonstrated his gift for creating dense atmospheres as well, through layering enticing melodies among challenging rhythms and harsh sounds.

DELA MOON and CHIEF JESTA stepped up next, ready to deliver their unique combination of intense grooves, high energy drum patterns, and pulsating grooves. The two DJs easily kept the momentum going when you would suspect it might dissipate. Using everything from industrial techy “rollers” to stripped back moody steppers, they took us on an exploration of everything deep and dark. The manner in which these two musicians fed off of each other was magical, showcasing all the frenzied fun of a b2b set. By the end, there was no doubt this pair were masters at creating dance floor vibes in ways nobody expected.

BRANDON VASQUEZ closed the night out with his mix of breaks. It was the perfect outro for the party; the steady beats and continuous bass kept people dancing, but subtly prepared us for the inevitable end as well.

Overall, it was an amazing show. A standout feature was the way each DJ carried the theme of deep and dark bass music yet created vastly different sets from each other. This created a feeling and energy which was unpredictable and exciting. Whether it was the live art being sprayed on the walls, to the lasers darting across the venue, or the sounds bouncing around the room, there was a sense of dedication and community present that was amazing to be a part of. This was definitely a show I am glad I did not miss.