Anyhow, while I’d been looking forward to the show for months, I didn’t hold high expectations to be particularly floored by No Age’s set this evening. I’d seen them so many times, and in so many different venues, I felt I already knew what to expect: short, sweet blasts of melodic but heavily distorted guitar-pop interspersed with ambient fuzz-addled interludes. I was more interested in how they’d play to a crowd that, while sold out, was more likely there in anticipation of getting their groove on to Diplo’s headlining DJ set. This doesn’t assume that there weren’t several in the crowd present to see both, or all of the diverse line-up, as I counted myself one of them, but I was curious to see how it all played out.

No Age started their set with the driven, hard-hitting “Teen Creeps” from their newest record, Nouns. As most of their tunes, the song employs layers of catchy but cacophonous guitar samples, propulsive punk-rock drumming, and Dean’s purposefully off-key alto vocal spouting out lyrics that are mostly incomprehensible if not affective. Their energy is pervasive, as evidenced through the mosh pit that immediately formed near the stage circa note one. This impromptu display of rambunctious fervor by the kids up front immediately set off a nostalgia in me that remained throughout the set. I thought of my earliest show experiences and the unabashed passion inspired by them. At their best, No Age foments that angsty mood of hyper-reflection. Melodies that seem timeless, energy inspired by youth, and a realized perspective that pursues a romanticized idealism while simultaneously poking holes/fun in/at it.

I was glad to see the crowd embrace it.

Sure, I heard a few, “That band was wack, yo!” comments from the crowd. And admittedly, the size of the Cat might not be the best venue to cultivate their sound. But I was happy for them, in the same way that you feel proud of your brother for getting a promotion at a human rights non-profit. It doesn’t really affect you, but you love to see your loved ones doing well and doing good.

Plus Diplo proceeded to blow everyone’s face and hind-parts off immediately afterwards. Get your mind blown - Dakota’s pics are rad.

(Uuuh… okay, Diplo, was RAD. Call it Girl Talk divided by two, dance parties rule my face. Period. -DF)