Netsky at the Middle East: A Review

By Mike H:

Although it took a little longer than genres such as dubstep or house to gain widespread popularity in the United States, drum and bass has, over the past few months, experienced a surge in popularity with artists such as Kill the Noise leading the charge. Boston got to experience some of the finest in drum and bass, with Belgian producer, Netsky bringing an incredibly charged performance to The Middle East Downstairs in Cambridge on Tuesday.

Taking the stage in front of a revved up crowd, Netsky started with the soulful and melodic, "Love Has Gone", a single off his 2012 album, 2, but immediately shifted into some low down and dirty drum and base to send the crowd into a frenzy. Throughout his performance, Netsky's superior mixing skills were evident, as he seemed able to feel what the crowd was looking for, and hit the jackpot with every song he introduced.

While many of his own songs were included in the set, he also added his own spin to popular songs such as "Internet Friends," by Knife Party and "Wild for the Night," by Skrillex ft. A$AP Rocky. He is capable of including various genres in his set, from hip hop to dubstep to house, while keeping his fast-paced drum and bass as the backbone of the songs.

Perhaps the most enjoyable part of the show, or at least part of what made it special, was the small venue feel of the Middle East. The low-ceiling and basement vibe of the venue give the music an underground feel, something Netsky used effectively to his advantage. I've been to a few shows at the Middle East recently, and each one of them has had incredibly high energy levels. I would strongly suggest keeping an eye out for shows at this venue in the future!

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