Subtronics kept a close watch on the Tacoma Dome as his Cyclops army gathered. I want to think that he is what Sauron would have been like if he had been shown more affection.
The dubstep superstar and an all-star cast planted the one-eyed flag of victory at the second annual Cyclops Dome Nov. 15-17.
“Please drink some water, eat something and tell your friends and family how much they mean to you,” Subtronics said after each night in Tacoma. “Please be fucking nice to each other. Lastly and most importantly, if you're driving and you're even remotely screwed, don't drive. Ask a sober friend or an Uber to take you home safely. And once you get home, smoke as much weed as humanly possible!
Subtronics fans are familiar with his usual closing remarks, but hearing them three nights in a row emphasized why people rally around him. Compassion, collaboration and humility are integral to the Subtronics experience. That feeling touched everything in sight.
Cyclops Dome 2024 featured an impressive support line-up with Alison Wonderland, Dimension, NGHTMRE and RL Grime among the most popular names on the bill. You don't always see supporting acts with popularity on par with the main artist, but Subtronics has the gift of bringing people together.
Subtronics anchored the show with three excellent headlining performances over the weekend. He welcomed him to Wonderland on Saturday to debut his since-released collaboration “No One Does It Like” and his wife LEVEL UP on Sunday. It was not unusual for Subtronics to take short breaks to express his gratitude to the audience, whom he thanked for allowing him to touch on personal or unreleased topics without judgment. The occasion was not lost on him.
Headlining three consecutive days is a complex task. Subtronics was refreshingly aware that it was playing to different audiences: three-day ticket holders, two-day guests, and single-day visitors. In a clever effort to offer something for everyone, he played different versions of popular songs like “Griztronics” and “Into Pieces” on separate nights. This ensured that the majority of fans heard their favorite songs while also rewarding regular customers.
The Tacoma Dome is a well-established, competitive venue in the Pacific Northwest. Subtronics came equipped with the appropriate lasers and lights for the occasion, but incorporated a new production element that sets Cyclops Dome apart.
Nearly a dozen specially designed panels hung from the rafters. Each rectangular panel was equipped with LED screens, light strips and lights. The panels, scheduled alongside the show's other production elements, were versatile tools that added incredible depth to the show. Sometimes they replicated the images on the screen or functioned as synchronized lights.
One of my personal favorites was when the teams rappelled almost within arm's reach and those dancing directly below were bathed in the lights. The panels provided an immersive experience up close and added theatrical elements further back, providing unique advantages depending on where you were.
Cyclops Dome's impressive lineup lived up to expectations, satisfying dubstep enthusiasts and providing more variety than comparable shows in its genre. Wonderland came on so ridiculously hard that you'd think it had something to prove. Her thrilling set was accompanied by a cinematic introduction and eerie images that evoked the work of her husband, horror film director Ti West.
Dimension and NGHTMRE were a perfect match. B2Bs can struggle to sound disjointed or so similar that you can't tell the artists apart, but that wasn't the case here. Apologies to the bathroom patron who boastfully (and disappointingly) claimed the duo would be playing a “bass house” set. Dimension B2B NGHTMRE was a perfect combination between the drum & bass of the former and the trap and dubstep leanings of the latter. NGHTMRE took the lead in the first half, easing fans into Dimension's blistering pace down the stretch.
The “Angel” collaborators were very effective at combining their styles, taking a beloved NGHTMRE track like “Alive” or “FEELING GUD” and tweaking it with frenetic drum & bass rhythms. The stage screens were blacked out for much of the set, allowing the lights and lasers to shine while giving the 21,000-capacity venue an underground atmosphere. It was a stark contrast to the previous set.
INZO deserves special recognition for putting together a moving set. He vision quest The producer wrote a beautiful script that was at times thought-provoking or wonderful. The scale of Cyclops Dome implored the INZO stage to be everything one could imagine. The images were warm, the vibes were impeccable, and at least one customer in my group visibly sobbed. The togetherness experienced during their finale was a poignant reminder of what brought everyone together.
To that end, Subtronics really seems to care. It's evident by the warm atmosphere fostered by their fans and their actions that weekend. Admittedly, the wait to enter the venue on Friday was painful – the line looped around several times and caused long delays in getting in, apparently due to limited entry points. Subtronics apologized on social media in real time, assured that it was addressing it and that it would not be an issue in the coming days. Not long after, the registration process sped up and went smoothly for the rest of the weekend.
Subtronics is about to do something special. He is building an empire not with an iron fist, but with a loving hand. His music is the basis of his success, without a doubt, but the camaraderie with his audience and his peers are the cornerstones that reinforce his growing dominance. If the original Cyclops Dome was a test pilot, this sequel firmly asserts a bold future.
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