Westend’s signature brand of crowd-pleasing tech house transformed Detroit’s Magic Stick into a packed and proper house party.
Westend sauntered from the green room onto the stage at Magic Stick in Detroit promptly at 9pm, quickly sifting through his playlist for the perfect opening track. He looked out at the dimly lit dancefloor with confidence and a wry smile, joking with his manager, “It’s been a while since I started this early.”
It’s easy to underestimate the stark contrast between headlining packed venues or festivals and playing an opening set at a club. Suddenly, your audience dwindles to a handful of bartenders, security guards and audio engineers. Yet it was clear that Westend was well prepared for the penultimate stop on his open to close tour, selecting an upbeat disco house tune that immediately brightened the room.
Westend’s poise is rooted in the strong community he’s built around his music. He knew his fans would come early, eager to connect with old friends and new. And, he was right. By the third track, there were already more than “Trace Amounts” of sunglass-donned spectators. Loyal fans checked-in to the dancefloor with familiar faces exchanging bro nods in admiration. The two-steps arrived early and stayed late.
It’s not about the quantity of the fans that see you play, it’s about their quality and y’all are top notch.
Westend
As the night went on, enriching frequencies filled the room. Deep bass shook the floorboards beneath crisp and clear highs. The audio engineering was carefully balanced for the upcoming fluctuating genres. While the sweet spot was halfway between the main VIP table and stage, the clarity of sound was consistent throughout the venue.
Straightforward cocktails were served in minimalist glassware without garnish, straws or napkins, a small detail that added to the underground vibe of the night. The club was scattered with bucket hats and neon tie-dyed beach balls creating an atmosphere more similar to a sun-drenched frat party than a chilly November night in the Midwest.
Though some music enthusiasts roll their eyes at tech house, remarking that “it all sounds the same,” true tech house lovers know their stuff — and Westend gave the people what they wanted. Playing trademarks like “Rhythm Machine,” his winter smash with Max Styler, and his cult-classic edit of Peggy Gou‘s “(It Goes Like) Nanana,” Westend steadily raised the BPMs, traversing genres with ease.
Around the midnight hour, Westend teed up heavier sounds for the remaining half of his performance.
Leading with heavy bass house and closing the night with drum and bass, Westend offered a thorough sampling of his musical taste. His versatility and ability to read the room complemented his track selection, making it satisfying to get lost in the music. One minute, you found yourself bobbing to funky four-on-the-floor beats before finding your hands raised in the air for “Show Me Love,” HELLMATE, Santiago & Carlitos, and Chantal Lewis-Brown‘s soulful remake of Robin S‘ 1993 classic.
At the close of the night, Westend lingered enthusiastically, passing out stickers to fans and patiently engaging with each one. Through densely sprinkled bright eyes and beaming smiles, deeper connections were formed. His performance wasn’t just another show, it was a celebration of community.
