Anyone who listens to electronic music, watches movies, plays video games or uses music production software is aware of the inescapable presence of BT, even if they don’t realize it. A musical and technical powerhouse, he’s been a mainstay in dance music fans’ trance and progressive playlists for almost 20 years. After appearing at USC Events‘ Lucky in April, BT returned to Seattle to play not one but two back-to-back shows at Q Nightclub, with one of the top-rated sound systems in the country.
The night was opened by Seattle up-and-comer Matei Craciun. Matei has been turning heads lately by releasing a series of tracks, an upcoming EP on Ensis Records, and opening for artists and festivals across the Northwest. A strong set of progressive and electro house, Matei got the energy of the night going right without overpowering the crowd too early. Next up was DJ Web (aka Eric Webber) & Beefer (aka Erik Anderson). Turning the direction to deeper house with jungle rhythms and boomy kicks, what seemed at first to be a drop in energy was really a clever lead-up to the second half of their set, a mix of big room and high energy progressive house. The last 15 minutes of their set was the perfect entrance for BT.
BT at Q Nightclub, Seattle
We can describe the BT set with one word: uplifting. Every single track, every transition, each and every effect was clearly designed to go higher and higher. BT’s presence on stage is virtually unmatched. We’ve all seen DJs and electronic artists fall into laptop shoegaze, and one of the most exciting and electrifying things about the BT show was that, even going into Hours 3 and 4, you never got the feeling that he was anything but absolutely in love with what he was doing. All smiles and raised hands, it didn’t get much better than being close enough to actually hear BT singing along with our favorite tracks.
To our ears BT’s set was extremely reminiscent of his recent guest mix on Above & Beyond’s Group Therapy Radio show. High track counts, high energy, seamless transitions, lots of airy vocal a capellas, and trademark BT glitches, stutters and ear candy. The highlight of the night seemed to be BT’s latest track, Skylarking. After he announced it and dropped in, the crowd at Q went wild. Needless to say, the Funktion One sound system was getting a heavy workout.
If the smiles on people’s faces leaving the club at 4am were any indication, BT’s four hours of music translated into countless memories and good feelings for the people at Q.
Photos can be found at SM Photography & Jive Photography.
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