After everything that happened in the past, say, forever, we all need a good reset.Honestly, anything that can be done, even a little Man in black Clearing recent memory is worth the money.That is Re:SET Concert Series Come In, an outdoor tour, kicks off its first “tour” this weekend (June 2-4) in Los Angeles.
In a fresh take on the festival format, the three-day act is scheduled to take place every June weekend in New Orleans, Chicago, New York, Atlanta, and other cities across the country. AEG-backed series won’t force tough decisions because of set-time conflicts or too short breaks between sets. The nightly headliners (LCD Soundsystem, boygenius, Steve Lacy) can also pick and choose to support trash by curating their own bills, so the evening is not so much about cohesion as it is about what the artists want and who the spotlight is allotted to them. This led to some really interesting billing and a really exciting first weekend at Re:SET.
Day 1: Steve Lacy – Steve’s side gets sexy
In Steve Lacy’s case, what he seems to want to showcase includes all kinds of slick and sexy. Fousheé’s innate allure offers something different than Toro Y Moi, but in the best possible way. Chaz Bear is having a good time everywhere—not just because of his records, but who he hangs out with as a person. His unruly spirit spilled out into the crowd as effortlessly as a voice from a trumpet, bringing together so many people from so many different backgrounds and styles.
“So Much Detail” creates a swirling, kaleidoscopic atmosphere that has a pleasantly calming effect (although the THC lingering in the air might have something to do with it). The more energy and rhythm moves he puts on, the more others join in. At one point, his emphasis on the lyrical “I Don’t Care” on “Laws of the Universe” fit seamlessly into the message of maximizing “Ordinary Pleasures” of all good things. Bell dangled across the stage, brazenly ogles and winks at the audience. Everyone loves it.
After a cover of Flume’s “The Difference,” the last three songs are like Toro Y Magic. As he walks through “Rose Quartz,” he sends his blessings and tributes to the other artists on the bill (especially Lacey, of course). As soon as “Freelancer” rang out, an audience member inserted incense directly into Brookside’s luscious soil and lit it, bringing proper cleansing to those nearby for the rising full moon.
That moon quickly became another stage ornament, almost as if lighting technicians had climbed the scaffolding high above to put that natural satellite back in place. As the air grew colder and the night darkened, James Blake tried to open his sleepy eyes with a light show during Travis Scott’s hit “Mile High,” his voice over crisp gusts and humid air. reverberates. “I’ll take you from day to dusk to night,” Blake whispers before entering “Say Your Will.” Re:SET’s visual team also captured a beautiful black-and-white overhead shot of Blake playing the keys, exuding a similar feel to Rob Verhorst’s photograph of Ian Curtis in Lantaren, Rotterdam in 1980 at Joy Division: both artistic and contemplative.