This year, BEMF kicked off with some sad news: a family emergency sidelined Todd Terje. Letherette and Norway's Andre Bratten were equally barred from entry (visa snafus). Producers: they're just like us!
Regardless, there were too many acts to see and not enough time to frigidly sprint across Williamsburg to get to them all! BEMF always left me wishing I had more legs and ears, and I already can't wait for next year. Here are some highlights from a tamer but always enchanting Brooklyn Electronic Music Festival:
Skream was predictably insane and, as one of the bigger names, saved more as a opening treat for the 3-Day Pass clutchers. In my mind, he should have been scheduled later, as I really felt the festival was missing a big, big name for Saturday night. Ending it on Sunday just felt anticlimactic with the workweek looming so immediately.
On Friday, Evian Christ shone. The first half of his set was dosed in rap, but he took more creative leaps in his sampling and transitions during the second portion (particularly a brilliant Nguzunguzu/ DJ Manny sample). With sets like BEMF's, his star will continue to rise. Before him, I caught Glasgow's S-Type, whose spliced video backdrop dazzled but who had to suffer through a desolate audience "“ kudos for that.
On Saturday, Giraffage stoically delivered a solid set that cycled through his most recent hits and included a few fresh remixes picked straight from Top 40. It was fun, but left much to be desired in energy and performance. DJing is supposed to fun, I thought.
At Output, deep house reigned supreme, and John Digweed's set was eagerly soaked up by the European, Axe-enhanced spectators. I actually thought Mathias Kaden was stronger a day later, but let's give credit where credit is due: Output as a venue was the real mood-setter, conjuring the most energized, intense atmosphere.
Sunday was the big night, with killer sets by Jerome LOL, Distal, Kastle and Star Slinger -- no one was going to work in the morning after those performances. All in all, BEMF maintains its status as the brilliant outlier of the traditional festival circuit, and for those of you unable to attend, here's an excerpt of Star Slinger's BEMF 2013 Mix to give you a little sample of the weekend! Enjoy!
