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Morgan Page At Club Nokia: Review

Marc Sessa |
September 15, 2013 | 9:23 p.m. PDT

Contributor

What do EDM, Michael Jackson, and James Cameron all have in common?

The answer is Morgan Page. Regarding the first show of the tour, Grammy nominated DJ Morgan Page stated, “Tonight’s the big experiment. It’s the big question mark.”

But there was no question that the crowd loved every minute of Page’s incredible two-hour set at Club Nokia on Friday alongside fellow DJs Project 46 and Walden.

There's more to a Morgan Page show than just the music. (Photo by Marc Sessa/Neon Tommy)
There's more to a Morgan Page show than just the music. (Photo by Marc Sessa/Neon Tommy)
This was no ordinary EDM club show: it was the start of Page’s new tour “Morgan Page Presents: A MPP3D Concert Experience” which brings the audience into a world that used to only be in concertgoers’ dreams.

With the help of about 30 animators, Page has designed a concert experience like no other. “The whole idea is that these are immersive environments. It’s not like a screensaver or anything,” said Page. He continued by explaining, “We sat down and figured out which elements pair with the music and which colors and what sort of behaviors happen. There are some scenes where you’re in a forest, and it feels like 'Avatar,' and you’re being pulled through a forest. There are some where you are orbiting a planet and you’re circling around the planet.”

This show is truly unique and literally transforms the venue into a movie that the concertgoer can travel alongside the DJ into unknown and ever changing territory, whether it be under the water, through an asteroid belt, and even along a highway through the desert.

This production is so innovative that Page thinks it might change the way he, and even other musicians, will perform: “Like now, I did some scoring for the intro piece. It’s very cinematic. It’s going to be an emotional ride. That’s the idea. It’s not just like getting drunk and going to watch a DJ, it’s a whole different experience.”

Starting the show with a composition made specifically for the tour, Page grabs everyone’s attention and draws the crowd toward the screen. Everyone puts their 3D glasses on and sees an orb spinning around Page’s head.

Faster and faster, it turns until it bursts into an explosion of light and sound. The crowd erupts in euphoria and starts to dance. But this is just the beginning.

Page's cinematic show took audience members on an audiovisual journey. (Photo by Marc Sessa/Neon Tommy)
Page's cinematic show took audience members on an audiovisual journey. (Photo by Marc Sessa/Neon Tommy)
Page created music for this tour but he also played many of his major hits including “Fight for You” and “The Longest Road” alongside the pulse of the jumping crowd.

The technology that is being used was originally created for Michael Jackson’s “This Is It” tour but recently the company has adjusted the equipment to be able to show high-resolution projections. There is really no limit to what will pop up on the screen next. This includes everything from lyrics floating out into the crowd to objects spinning around Page’s head as he plays.

The lyrics truly make the crowd feel like they are connected with Page even though 2000 other attendees surround them. The most emotional part of the evening was the encore where he encapsulated the crowd with “In The Air” all the while displaying lyrics amongst lit up trees reminiscent of the forest in James Cameron’s “Avatar.”

He will be returning to the Los Angeles area for two shows in Santa Ana on November 30 at the Yost Theater, so if you missed him this week make sure to get those tickets ASAP and take a journey with one of the greatest musical experiences that is offered today. 

Read more of NT's show reviews here.

Reach Staff Reporter Marc Sessa here.



 

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