Ant Smith Circus Records 15th Anniversary celebration was a testament to the label’s legacy in shaping dubstep and bass music over the past years. The event was a true retrospective, showcasing not only where the genre has been, but also where it’s heading. Featuring an impressive lineup with Conrank B2B Mikesh!ft B2B Phocust, Doctor P B2B Oliverse, FuntCase, Flux Pavillion and a surprise tribute to the legendary Cookie Monsta. The night was a blast from the past of nostalgia, heart pounding bass, and explosive energy.
Conrank B2B Mikesh!ft B2B Phocust
The triad openers set the tone for the night right off the bat, immediately grabbing attention of the seasoned dubstep fans with an incredible production. It was loud, immersive, and visually stunning. The combo of lasers, strobe lights, a massive LED screen, and the venue defining symbol (the disco ball) had the crowd in awe from the moment the first track dropped.
It wasn’t just the visuals that captivated us. Per mission tradition, the sound was on point, blending nostalgic, heavy-hitting beats that brought back memories of the early days of dubstep. The trio smoothly mixed in some old-school gems alongside newer higher defying sound, showing exactly how far they’ve come over the past 15 years. Some of the sounds we’d forgotten flooded the air, giving long-time fans a taste of brostep’s deep roots. The blend of stompy headbangin’ beats with a touch of wave and 140 was the perfect opener, setting the mood for what was to come.
Doctor P B2B Oliverse
Next up, we had Doctor P B2B Oliverse. They kicked things off with their big boss energy, opening with a fresh flip of “Flying Spaghetti Monster“. Doctor P continued to drop fresh flips of his classic tracks like “Sweet Shop” and “Tetris”. The new flips were exciting and brought a fresh flavor to some nostalgic tracks, but fans were craving the classic bass tunes to be heard on a new and updated sound system.
The duo dropped classics from Oliverse too, spinning tunes like “Get High”. Although some people in the crowd were not aware of Oliverse and his history with circus records, the fans were expecting a 100% Doctor P set. Nonetheless, we still got an amazing show. Doctor P spun another flip of “Sweet Shop“, and a champagne poppin’ remix for good measure, keeping the momentum high. The energy dipped at times, but they consistently brought the crowd back with surprise flips, including “Louder” and a remix of “Savage“. Doctor P and Oliverse were able to take us through the history of Circus Records, from heavy bass drops to that undeniable “brostep” flavor.
Funtcase
Then came FuntCase, whose set proved just how much of a pioneer he is in the dubstep scene. The energy shift was palpable. FuntCase brought a heavy, tearout introduction that set the crowd ablaze. His sound was pure aggression, bass-heavy and brutal, with no apologies. The mosh pit was alive and well, the crowd feeding off the massive sound, and the blood red lighting contributing to the intensity. It was clear who was there for Funtcase. The raw energy and heavy drops that have defined his style for over a decade, pioneering the aggressive side of dubstep, FuntCase had the crowd in his pocket. He ended his set with a callback to a simpler time. It was a track he made back in 2009 & the first one he ever released. It showed us just how far his mixing, production, and sound design has really evolved.
Photos by Andrew Ortega. All content Copyright © 2024 Aperture Ortega ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.
Flux Pavilion
As the night wore on, Flux Pavilion took the stage alongside Doctor P to announce a long-awaited collaboration album. One that had been keeping fans on edge in anticipation. To make it even sweeter, they played the album live for the first time that night. This reminding us why Flux has been one of the heavy hitters of bass music for over a decade. What followed was a whirlwind of genres, remixes, & a surprising journey through sound & lights.
Flux Pavillion then spun classic after classic. They played all time fan favorites like “You Got to Know” and “Party Drink Smoke”. Everyone went wild all the way through the set, rarely losing the minds & bodies of the dancing crowd. He effortlessly blended tracks off his “Blow the Roof” album with his new album with Doctor P.
As the night came to a close, the energy was still high. The most poignant moment came when the trio—FuntCase, Doctor P, and Flux Pavilion— came out and played a heartwarming and ecstatic tribute to their long lost friend, and wave making producer, Cookie Monsta.
Photos by Andrew Ortega. All content Copyright © 2024 Aperture Ortega ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.
This was a night for the die-hard fans, the people who’ve been with Circus since the beginning. The production was on point, the energy was electric, and the music was a beautiful reminder of where dubstep has been and where it’s going. Whether you miss brostep or still vibe with today’s sounds, last night’s show hit all the right notes, and then some.
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