Flume Live at “The Rady Shell” at Jacobs Park
I have always wanted to go to an electronic dance show. So, when I was invited by Unpublished to attend Flume’s show last Friday, September 2nd, I was extremely excited. To say the least, Flume’s performance made me fall head-over-heels in love with the atmosphere crafted by house music. The performance was held in San Diego at the “Rady Shell” at Jacobs Park. This venue was first opened just over a year ago in Summer 2021 and is located right on the waterfront. Harley Edward Streten, known by his moniker “Flume,” owned the stage that night, performing songs that spanned the entirety of his career.
Arriving at the show around six, I was stunned by the scenery. I wasn’t kidding when I said this venue is right on the water. The stage looked like a literal “shell” with layers of white framing, resting right next to the ocean. With the sun beaming down and the hum of house music settling in the air, the moment felt picturesque and welcoming. I found a spot right next to the stage as the openers, Sega Bodega and TSHA, performed. Sega Bodega went on first, playing a set that was ethereally electronic. His soft, angelic vocals floated over the growing crowd. As the sun began to set, TSHA went on to play a set that was bursting in pastel pinks and oranges. She mixed her tracks, dancing around and grooving on stage with an effortless air.
By the time Flume went on, I could not see the end of the crowd as the lawn filled up. I was surrounded by a snapshot of different fashion styles, ranging from rave attire to casual beach wear. Flume himself came on stage wearing a “nascar” like outfit with a color-changing car wheel projected on the screen behind him. The crowd’s energy spiked at his presence as the wheel turned on stage while he played on the mixer. This introduction blended into the beginning of his song “The Difference” that he has with artist Toro y Moi. This song landed on my “top songs” list last year and I did not know what to expect from it live. It ended up being the perfect introduction to his show, moving an energetic bliss through everyone’s body as people began to dance and jump.
Flume then brought out Australian artist KUČKA for his next song, “ESCAPE,” that was released on his latest album Palaces this past May. With bright orange hair and a baggy, spray painted outfit, she danced around and sang on stage, amping up the energy with Flume. She performed a few songs with him throughout the night, showcasing her high vocals that compliment his sound.
The visuals at Flume’s show are what made it truly remarkable. Each of his songs had a distinct video and light show that drew the audience in, making the experience spread from the stage outward. Our faces were lit in an array of streaming colors at all times. When he performed “You And Me,” one of his more popular songs that he did with Disclosure, flickering pink lights shone over the crowd, washing us in a sublime warmth. The screen behind him was a montage of different partners kissing and displaying affection, relative to the lyrics of the song. In a way, the song partnered with the visuals brought the emotional power reaped by the experience into real time. All brought together in a singular moment, it was enough to make your heart race in the trance that Flume’s music puts you in.
After “You And Me,” Flume wanted to “take it back” to his first record to play “Insane.” This was one of my favorite songs performed that night. Flume stood at the mixer with large white lights shining behind him, creating an ethereal visual of his craft as the rhythm of the song itself looped over, memorizing the crowd. People began getting on each other’s shoulders, reaching their arms out to him as he controlled the energy of the landscape with his skill.
Songs like “Never Be Like You” truly displayed how the experience of the show was not dependent solely on the performer, but on the crowd as well. The energy is at the wave of Flume’s hand, but it is carried out by the movements of his listeners. My experience was impacted by the interactions I made in the audience, dancing around and feeling the sounds flow through me. Going to the show by myself, I was slightly nervous. But, once I was jumping around with everyone surrounding me, intoxicated by the music, these worries dispersed quickly. “Never Be Like You” brought me back to Summer 2016, fully riddled by a universal nostalgia.
Flume played almost all of his songs from Palace, offering an open hand into the multi-colored realm of the album. “Say Nothing,” featuring artist MAY-A, was one of those songs that had everyone screaming the lyrics. The same goes for “Highest building” featuring Oklou. These newer songs contrasted with the other songs in the set, illuminating how his evolution as an artist has allowed him to explore innovative sounds while keeping the spirit of dance music consistent.
Towards the end of his set, he played “Helix” and “Say It” featuring Tove Lo from his album Skin. These songs channeled a certain essence from his craft performed live. Flume directed the crowd with his arms during “Say It,” practically choreographing the rise and fall of our bobbing heads. After “Helix,” he walked off stage, imitating an ending only to come back on to play an encore of three songs – “Sleepless,” “On Top,” and a mix of “Tennis Courts” by Lorde. Ending with the Lorde cover was a perfect touch to his set. The screen behind him went golden as the crowd became a chorus of people singing to the lyrics, the atmosphere carrying a quintessential glow. Once finished, Flume walked off stage, disappearing into the golden lights and smoke behind him.
Walking out of the venue, I could definitely understand why electronic dance music has such a large following and such an intricate culture built around it. Initially, I did not know what to expect attending Flume’s show; but, he made me fall in love with an entire body of music. I could’ve stayed there in that luminescent crowd all night, dancing as if it were second nature. Flume provided an escape from reality through his music, tapping into a unique experience that I hadn’t had before.