By the time the doors finally swung open for PC Music’s huge showcase, the line of festivalgoers waiting patiently outside the Empire Garage stretched back for a couple of blocks. One badge-holder told me he had seen people queuing as early as 1 PM for the evening showcase, not a bad turnout for a musical collective that is so often clucked at by observers for their supposed divisiveness and inaccessibility. A passerby even asked if we were waiting in line for Kanye West’s fabled surprise show. If only I had been quick enough at the time to reply, “Um, it’s actually pronounced Kane West, sir.”
My stint in line amounted to about three hours, the last 45 minutes of which was spent in agonizing anticipation as the bouncer slowly beckoned people over two-by-two to check IDs. easyFun was just finishing up his set once I was successfully Noahed on in, leaving me with little opportunity to form an impression of the performance. However, one thing that stood out immediately was the audience’s mood: those who had already made it inside were hyped to the nines and finna find a good time. easyFun appeared to have honored the promise of his name, with a burgeoning chorus of woos and woops following him as he silenced the beats and departed the stage. One set down and the show already appeared to be in full stride.
SOPHIE closed out the evening in bombastic style, although by that point I must admit your boy was pretty deep in his turn up and can’t recall much of the proceedings. I do remember dancing and having a dang ball, though, just like everyone else around me. This showcase was living proof that not only does PC Music have mass appeal, but also their potential for popularity is limitless. Judging from what I saw, I can’t think of many reasons why Gaga and T-Swift fans would be turned off by GFOTY or Hannah Diamond, or why today’s legions of sunshiny EDM heads would bristle at a guy like Danny L Harle. Meanwhile, fringier acts like Lil Data and Felicita cater happily to all the weirdos out there, rounding out one of the most well-curated label rosters in music today. The media kvetching about PC Music’s “authenticity” or lack thereof got old long ago, and it was immensely satisfying to watch those dull notions fly out the window in spectacular fashion. If you’re not already on board the PC Music train, just tie your brain to the tracks and let the neon gears rip through.