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Fellow Brit Lacey Gray reporting back from sunny LA where the ‘Cali gurls will melt your popsicle’ and apparently the Americans are harboring an incremental taste for the Dubstep -Bring it!

So there I am entering a little later in the evening than planned but excited to party like it’s 1999. As I enter the huge mass of night-time ravers (most of whom had been partying since noon to the likes of Gaslamp Killer, Flying Lotus, Caspa, Afghan Raiders…) I felt somewhat homesick having just missed the boat on the UK summer festival antics but tonight my plan was to make up for it in grandeur style.

The beats escaped the park amid a desolate Downtown, temporarily packed with its pop-up festival next to Dodger stadium, accommodating an influx of scantily clad implants in the form of bikini, and in some cases, g-string wearing dancers (yes they walked through DTLA like that- picture Brixton and Moss side fused and you’re close to the scene). The lack of clothing was incredible to me as I wrapped up in boots, skinnies and 3 layers on top, but they seemed happy enough. Global warming has definitely dropped the temperature of our summer this year but oblivious were these raving, day-glow tiny dancers -I told you 1999. My heart lovingly began to pulsate along to the sexy beat of Crystal Castles, the first performance I caught, as they obliterated the crowd with some punchy synth infused grenades and trippy vocals. The US crowd is definitely a different beast to that you might find at Glasto or Lovebox but unanimously feeling it and flying all the same.

I managed to weave my way through to the golden gates of the VIP in time to stumble upon Dita Von Teese who was looking as ravishing as ever along with some other familiar faces, I clapped eyes on Caspa so we talked about his crazy global tour dates, hauling ass across the US, Ibiza, New Zealand and beyond. Nice lad, I think we will do some work together in the future and he had that London boy twang which took me back to Blighty for a second- I love me some Brits in LA. The bar was limited as was the hospitality element (so much for VIP) but I won’t complain as I got to rub shoulders with some of the most respected talent in their game. Drink in hand courtesy of awesome and rather discerning new magazine, www.mymag.com (next issue Kanye West CHECK IT!), we headed to the dressing rooms to take a peek into what was going down backstage.

The tent was simple as were the surrounding trailers housing supersonic greats- Major Lazer, The Twelves, Crystal Castles, Erol Alkin and of course the mighty Soul wax whose performance by the way was pure rollercoaster genius; builds and explosions timed to perfection- an orgy of climactic musical debauchery- just my favorite concoction. A bunch of media VIPS, some regular LA party faces and one of my personal faves, Brooklyn’s Theophilus London (1/3 of Chauffeur with Mark Ronson and Sam Sparro). I perched next to Theophilus for a bit of a chin wag catching up on the goss. Apparently he’s finishing a highly anticipated album with The latest single from Dave Sitek’s Maximum Balloon, “Groove Me” (feat. Theophilus London), available now on iTunes and Amazon MP3. That should keep us going until the full record release – hoping to snag myself an early listen so will update you on THAT as and when…

Back to the trailers and nature was calling. I’m definitely not a girl to voluntarily grace the seats of a porta-potty with a smile on my face so in hopes of sweeter experiences, I headed to Major Lazers’s trailer to catch up with Switch (another one of our UK treasures) and to make like Niagara ASAP!

Switch and Diplo  had already played solo DJ sets so their penultimate 2-way slot before SOUL WAX was fast approaching and by the looks of the party trailer it was going to be a colorful affair! Their flamboyant live show, Chinese dragon and crazy dancers in the mix, went off and I was lucky enough to capture a cheeky spot from on-stage. Busting out some traditional Major Lazer gems along with some retro splices in between- the crowd went nuts as did I – damn I love these boys… ‘keep it going louder’.

We then sauntered out to front of stage to catch Soul Wax and boy, they worked their shit! The crowd, impregnated with euphoria and visually blessed with some very streamlined, suited and booted performers all in all made for a very dapper show.

The after party was held at Underground spot Freak City- I cant say too much as it WAS underground and a secret affair but the graffiti cave-like host to such an after party was perfect, artists flying about getting wasted and an impromptu show by Theophilus London was awesome! Trust me when I say the Euro crew represented in full force and the US crowd showed much love.

Next stop Rock The Bells so keep your seatbelts fastened…whaaatttttt.

Lacey
xox
twitter.com/LACEYGRAYLA