Deadmau5 Aragon Ballroom Chicago, IL October 22, 2011

Which brings us to Deadmau5’s epic show at the Aragon Ballroom in Chicago last weekend. Joel Zimmer, more commonly known as Deadmau5, has been changing the face of house music since he first became widely known in 2009 after the release of his two albums “Random Album Title” and “For Lack of a Better Name” both of which landed him the status of house music pioneer.

There may have been three opening acts that night but in a matter of minutes Deadmau5 blew them all away. To be fair, this may have been due to his far more elaborate set-up and stage show. Instead of the two flat screens that his opening acts had, three large and a three-sided pyramids were wheeled on-stage along with a screen coming from the ceiling. The result is a stage show that plays with the dimensions of the venue and the minds of the concert-goers. Lasers and words bounced around the room in rhythm to Mau5’s beats making the audience feel each and every track he played.

Tapping into the senses is fundamental to a true house music concert. The DJ’s lack of musical instruments means that the focus does not necessarily have to be on them the whole time. Since there really is no lyrics to speak of no one is forced to face the stage. This means that the audience is free to experience the music their own way. For many this means dressing elaborately in costumes that would seem wild any place else.The varied beats tap into each individual at the concert giving them all a separate show. It is not unlike the psychedelic jam sessions of the 1960s.

Deadmau5 is distinctly aware of this, as few have seen him out of his ever-changing mouse heads that he wears during his shows. The mask draws attention away from the musician and back onto the music. It is a strange concept, especially if you are used to shows where the musician is doing everything he can to get your attention, but it works.

Constantly changing tone and style, Deadmau5 rocked and gyrated the sold-out venue sending many concert goers into near orgasmic screams, as he built up the beats never letting up. One of the main problems with all of the opening acts, was that they seemed afraid to really push the envelope. They would build the audience up with an ever-increasing beat and then just let it fall flat right before it climaxed. Deadmau5 grabbed the bull by its horns and tamed the beat, making it do his bidding throughout his entire set.

There is something to be said for a house music audience as well. Not only are they unafraid to walk the streets on a Saturday night that isn’t Halloween weekend, dressed as cows, mice or go-go girls, but they have the endurance to last what amounts to twice a normal show.

The first DJ took the stage at a little after 8 p.m. that night and Deadmau5 didn’t take the stage until nearly three hours later. As the headliner, he put on the longest set making the entire show a nearly five hour experience. Many rockers wouldn’t last that long at a show and other than a few scattered moments to change equipment, the show itself ran without breaks.

House music isn’t for everyone. But those that like it seem to love it with an unbridled passion. It is rare to call a musician groundbreaking anymore but it is safe to say that Deadmau5 qualifies. If you’re a fan but haven’t seen him live, make the effort to do so, it’s worth it.

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