Crystal Castles @ Fox Theater, Oakland 6.6.2010
Hard Summer Tour Featuring Crystal Castles:
The Oakland Fox Theater is one of the best venues I’ve seen in a long while. In my opinion it’s a cross between SF’s Warfield and an old theater such as the theater in Palo Alto. This venue is by far the best of its kind. It has a large balcony area, where patrons can purchase tickets to sit, and a large dance floor where patrons may stand. Both areas are separated because some shows are more dance/mosh oriented, and thus would want not take part in the chaos. Buddas of a sort line the exterior of the stage, with a cool blue lightening. Outside the line was rather short, after only being about ten minutes late to the show. Security was minimal, just checked out what you had in your jacket and or purse.Shirts were being sold right inside, and outside of the stage itself.
This show had confused me for some time because of the usage of this venue. I thought it would be more of a low key rave, because I had heard the previous year Hard Summer had been broken up in LA. My cousins, who I had gone with, thought it would be more of a show. Turns out it was a mix of both, but more so of a rave. The venue didn’t appear to be able sustain the rave culture, but the patrons were hardly of the kandi wearing variety. Mostly just young adults looking to dance. Although the rave culture was still there, people discussing what pills they were on, and smoking up on the dance floor. But hey, what can you do. It’s SF culture.
Most of the dubstep DJs, Rusko, Sinden and Proxy were really good, despite my hatred of dubstep music. They put on good remixes of songs, causing everyone to dance to the beat, even if they didn’t want to.
Crystal Castles: Now that was another story. When Alice Glass came on stage, she brought the party with her. She appeared to be on something, but I believe that’s just her personality. The lights kept flashing on and off, mirroring the distortion of the songs. It was a true event. She jumped into the crowd numerous times towering above others, as patrons crashed into one another to grasp her hand.
As much as I love Crystal Castles, there show was nothing like their CD. Besides their two famous singles Alice Practice and Crimewave, I could hardly distinguish what songs were being played. It was the chaos that pulled everyone in. The screams, the sweat, the dancing.
Overall good experience, although quite a different one than I am use to. Not quite a rave, or a show. Just what it is.
Details:
Age: All unless otherwise noted
Time: 7pm-
Website :http://www.thefoxoakland.com/
Located @ 1807 Telegraph Avenue
Oakland, CA
Some more photos from the show
Alice Glass towering above the crowd
Today's Flames 