Despite a few setbacks my friend and I finally made it down to Chicago and not a moment too soon, Bonobo came on shortly after we rolled into Beauty Bar. The man was on point, as always. What blew me away was the impressive array of dubstep/future garage he dropped in the latter half of his set, even working in one of my favorite The xx/Dark Sky tracks, Crystalised. I thought the narrow perimeter felt familiar, and wasn’t surprised to find out I was in what was once Sonotheque, a great space that a lot of Chicago music lovers miss. One of my fondest solo excursions was connecting with Lusine there before the venue’s end.

Didn’t quite dig the floor layout of this current incarnation, including a cut off dance floor and a DJ booth not facing, well… the dance floor. Tsk, tsk. Sound system was prop worthy though, and the price point for entry was modest. Go for the music, or if you’re in the mood for a kitschy 50’s-esque deviation from the norm. If you’re claustrophobic be wary of the potential for a packed house. Stick to the couches and you’ll be fine.

Serendipitously, dubstep muse Martyn was also in town that night at SmartBar. He played a refreshing selection, but I think I may have even liked Decimal more, who closed out the night. Noticed some XI in the mix, and was floored by remixes of the Percolator and Hardrive’s “Deep Inside”, a classic 90’s house tune sampling Barbara Tucker from the even more celebrated “Beautiful People.” Respect. Suffice it to say this was some intense melt your face bass music. Looks like I have a couple reworks to hunt for.

All in all, it was a good weekend. Exhausted but happy. It was well worth the pain. This is what life is about. Live loud. ;)