Electronic music is represented in many different spheres. We often think of the booming sounds of the mainstage of massive festivals such as Ultra or EDC, where upwards of 100,000 fans can gather and enjoy incredible grandiose production. However, dance music as we know it today, gained fame (or notoriety) in the 90s through underground warehouse parties. Remember those dudes in JNCO jeans and Dr. Seuss hats? They went to those underground raves. Last year Insomniac sought to revive that feeling with their Factory 93 series.
Taking place at a massive warehouse south of Elysian Park in Downtown Los Angeles, Factory 93 has harkened toward techno, tech-house, and more underground style sounds with past performances from Hot Since 82, Get Real and Nicole Moudaber. That all changed this past weekend, when Factory 93 brought out the heavy artillery and had back-to-back nights with the only artist who can toe the line between mainstream progressive house, and dark brooding underground vibes, Eric Prydz.
Eric dropped two special nights of Pryda sets for fans lucky enough to secure a ticket. In place of the standard disco ball, a large diamond-shape structurehung over the center of the massive warehouse just west of the LA river. Although it was a warehouse, there were thousands of fans packed inside, it was a massive affair. Although, the lighting and effects were minimal, Eric’s lasers still did their thing and mesmerized the crowd, especially after he dropped “Rebel XX” and took the crowd into full Pryda mode.
Being a Pryda set, and not an Eric Prydz set, missing were massive hits like “Generate” “Everyday” or “Opus.” Instead fans were treated to Eric’s own brand of tech-house jams, such as “In the Reds” (you know Cirez D was lurking) as well as the stunning and beautiful chord progressions of Pryda tracks. Highlights were Eric taking the stage and setting the tone with some beautiful chord progressions. When he dropped “Rebel XX,” every single person in the crowd lost their shit after the drop of “2000 People on the Dancefloor!” And when I called it a night after 3 AM when he dropped a Pryda ID that was featured on Episode 16 of EPIC Radio. Whether he’s himself, Pryda, or Cirez D, there really is nothing like a live Eric Prydz set.
Factory 93 will be heading to Mexico in May with a special performance from Richie Hawtin. Factory 93 will return to DTLA on May 20th with Drumcode featuring Adam Beyer.
