The Crystal Method are legends in the DJ/Club/Techno/Electronica scene having formed in Los Angeles in the early 90’s and had early club hits ''Now is the Time" and "Keep Hope Alive". They proceeded to release three studio records and a number of mix compilations as well as touring across the world.
Flash forward to the present and The Crystal Method are releasing their fourth studio album and touring for the first time in five years as a live act. Armed with a press pass I set out to Metropolis in Montreal to catch this intense duo as they perform their first Canadian city as part of the Divided by Night tour. I decided to live Twitter the event as well and the transcript can be found on my main blog.
Metropolis is a large and trendy club in downtown Montreal. The auditorium sized room is bowl shaped and filled with speakers and elaborate lighting as well as four active bars. Entering the club at 8:20 I was shocked to see a large crowd was already on hand and a talented young DJ, DJ Skratch Bastid, was holding court in the center of the club. Getting close to his turntables I could see that Skratch Bastid was enjoying himself and his formidable mixing was earning cheers from the crowd.
The main stage was still covered awaiting The Crystal Method but the energy in the club was very high thanks to DJ Skratch Bastid's energetic set. His hands were a blur as he mixed and scratched on his turntables. Thanking the crowd he signed off and the rapidly filling club turned toward the main stage as we awaited the boys to start their set.
Within minutes they walked on stage and I was nearly blown off my feet by the opening beats as the initial mixes blasted out of the multitude of speakers. Ken Jordan and Scott Kirkland have their own tables and the sheer scope of their equipment was enough to impress the hell out of me. I am sure other acts simply drool over it.
Standing near the stage I had no choice but to move and dance as the expertly mixed tracks washed over me. As I twittered ‘can't stop moving, these guys know their business’ they were constantly moving, playing, mixing sounds, tones, and tracks together as effortlessly as I text on my phone. The stage setup was absolutely amazing with two huge circular displays framing the boys and cycling through images and pulsing videos.
Article comments
1 - Jay Woz
I've never seen any off their shows before. I went to this one on short notice. I WAS BLOWN AWAY. What a great time it was in Tempe Arizona. I was tempted to follow them to Tucson the next night, but I couldn't hear for 2 days!!!
2 - JahWoo
I'm seeing them saturday night for about the 8th time..only the second time doing a live set though so hopefully it's as good as your show was.
3 - Chocokitty
Do you happen to know what time they played? Going to see them today, with other bands, but don't want to get there too early