Diplo
June 23, 2011
@Som Bar/Public Works
Better than: Lasertag.
Few of us haven't felt the disappointment of a policeman emerging from the depths of a crowd to announce the party is over. Ordinarily though, you don't expect to encounter the cops' ever-dreaded demand to "Turn the music off!" at 11:30 p.m. inside a legitimate club. Last night's "secret" show featuring Diplo and (allegedly) Switch (together known as Major Lazer), however, was anything but ordinary.
Inside SOM., the crowd was full of familiar faces from San Francisco nightlife, including DJ Q-Bert and Switch's Dubsided labelmate, Sticky K. While Eug of the FACE parties warmed up the sizable crowd with a classic house set, including tracks from artists Escort and Juan Maclean, people reserved their most energetic dance moves in anticipation of the headliners.
UP NEXT: The cops show up.At 11:36, Diplo showed up and played his first track. By 11:42, after dropping his second track, the cops had arrived and mounted the stage shouting at everyone that the club was over capacity. Well, that was the end of that.
The sound engineergrabbed the mic to announce, "We have too many people here. So, some of you are going to have to leave so that we can keep the party going." The crowd laughed in unison and remained unpersuaded; some even tried to hide in the bathrooms. After some discussion and rapid texting, the promoters and DJs returned to the mic to announce, "Everyone head to Public Works for a free show!" Madness ensued, followed by a mass exodus down Mission Street toward the larger and more accommodating club.
When we arrived, the club was already full of Diplo fans and attendees of the original show. We asked a girl how she heard of the Diplo show, and she replied, "Oh no, I've been here all night. I came to see my dad DJ." Of course you did.
Diplo quickly took over the DJ booth. His set was a fantastic mix of old and new, including faves like Keith Sweat and Flux Pavilion, plus a few new Major Lazer jams. By 1:30 a.m., it was clear that Switch wasn't showing up, but no one seemed to mind, as the crowd was thoroughly entranced with Diplo's bass-heavy selections.
Perhaps it was a blessing in disguise that the show got moved to Public Works. The sound system was more than adequate and the show was free, a relief for those waiting in line for more than four hours to get into SOM. For as big as Diplo is, the free show showed that when you put fans of music together with a world-class selecta, few obstacles can get in the way of a great time.
Critic's Notebook
Personal Bias: How can you not love Diplo?
Overheard in the line at 8pm: I love "Dia-plo"
Overheard at 1:30 a.m.: "I'm at a free show with ... Diplo?"
By the way: We left at 2:45 a.m. The partywas still happening.
READ MORE: Relive great old times with pics from Diplo and Justice at S.F. Design Center.----
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