Karla Rendon
Editor in Chief
At some point in the night, the crowd’s pushing became almost unbearable and the rowdy crowd surfers offered no relief.
The fog machine suffocated the front row without empathy, the barely-present air conditioning offered little comfort and the sticky, alcohol-covered floor was the only thing keeping fans on the ground.
Despite these daunting inconveniences that may scare off any sane person, the audience continued to dance and sing along to this memorable evening.
New York-based indie rock band DIIV ended their three night residency at The Echo in Los Angeles Wednesday with a maximum-capacity filled show.
Fans impressively knew the lyrics to nearly each song that was performed, despite the fact that some were just released earlier this month.
Even with the minimal air, sweaty surroundings and constant pushing, attendants seemed to be having a grand time.
Despite the tour being in promotion of their sophomore album, “Is the Is Are,” the 16-song performance was dominated by material from the band’s debut album.
DIIV began their set with a mellow instrumental off their 2012 album, “Oshin.”
Fans warmly accepted the relaxing song that is “(Druun),” as it was a modest introduction that warmed up the crowd enough to have them sway side to side in a calm demeanor that even continued into the second song, “Past Lives.”
The dreamy swaying set the audience in a trance-like state with a zen ambiance, but that calmness soon turned into an energetic disposition as they group performed a new single, “Dopamine.”
As frontman Zachary Cole Smith sang smoothly into his microphone, the audience emulated and sang along.
Smith had a relaxed composure in the beginning of the night with his hair tucked neatly into a cap, which was able to stay on his head until the intensity in the audience would pick up as the night progressed.
His energy mimicked the audience’s as he would sway calmly along with them and excitedly shake his head to the rhythm when the audience’s spirits elevated.
His cap and hair were an unintentional metaphor for the audience’s energy and the show’s success.
Still with his cap (now loosely) placed on his head, DIIV performed one of their newest singles, “Under the Sun.”
As the drums kicked, the bass grooved and the guitars synchronized for a mesmerizing effect, the audience began to dance ecstatically while making a circle pit.
As a token of appreciation to YouTuber Goadiroth, who posts numerous guitar and bass tutorials to DIIV’s songs, the group had him join them on stage to perform their 2012 tune, “Sometime.”
Audience members cheered on the YouTuber, whose real name is Isaac Murguia, as he performed alongside the band creating a memorable experience.
DIIV ended their set strong with their popular 2012 single, “Doused.”
The familiar and practiced song was welcomed lovingly with enthusiastic whistles, joyful cheer and overbearing yelling.
The group thanked their fans with a grateful goodnight and left the stage.
With the energy still being high in the audience, pleas for an encore were almost immediate as soon as the band stepped foot off The Echo’s small stage.
Begs for an encore went unanswered for two minutes until Smith stepped on stage once again, followed by guitarist Andrew Bailey, bassist Devin Ruben Perez, guitarist Colin Caulfield and drummer Ben Newman.
By the end of the night, Smith’s once-neat cap had long been abandoned and lost to the floor while his wild and tangled hair framed his flushed face.
Karla Rendon can be reached at karla.rendon@laverne.edu.
