Tape B showed Philadelphia how it’s done as he rolled through town on his The Soundtrack to Everything You Forgot Tour.
When Tape B unveiled phase two of The Soundtrack to Everything You Forgot Tour, my heart jumped at the sight of Philadelphia appearing on the newly added list of dates. Announced following his appearance at this year’s Elements Festival, the city’s bassheads were buzzing with excitement over his return.
Tape B’s last appearance in Philly a year prior resulted in two nights of packed out shows at The Ave. Having clearly outgrown the venue since his last stop through town, Tape B sought out Franklin Music Hall for his return — this time with his full production in tow.
In preparation for his first-ever bus tour, Tape B worked tirelessly to create a one-of-a-kind live experience that would captivate audiences. With the newfound ability to bring his full production to each stop, the mastermind could finally execute the show of his dreams on his own terms.
In the days leading up to his anticipated Philly performance, I blocked out all spoilers to formulate my own perspective on The Soundtrack to Everything You Forgot Tour in real time. The result gifted me with a newfound admiration for the mind of Tape B.
The Soundtrack to Everything You Forgot Tour gave support artists a chance to shine before an engaged audience.
Picture this: you’re on the dancefloor at a show you’ve been waiting months for. The first DJ of the night drops a monstrous tune, but you can barely hear it over the crowd talking, not to mention the lack of ambiance. I can’t count how many times I’ve been frustrated by the lack of volume and production given to support artists.
Unlike many of the electronic shows I’ve attended, Tape B let his insane lineup of tour openers showcase their talents while giving them access to his first-rate lighting equipment. Walking in as Ashez took the stage, I immediately noticed his visuals displayed on three LED screens as lasers fired off through the forming crowd.
With each subsequent artist that took the stage, the production team took things up a notch, incorporating new elements into the mix. As Super Future threw down one of the filthiest sets I’ve ever seen, sharp lasers gave way to vibrant fans, creating a more intricate, leveled-up look.
Even as the room continued to fill, each track was heard over the roar of conversation around me, juxtaposing the show I had seen just a few days prior at the same venue. Setting the stage for the main event, Cool Customer delivered a versatile performance as attendees got their first real taste of the damage Tape B’s boosted lighting and sound setup could do.
My jaw dropped the moment the earth-shattering bass of Tape B’s opening blared through the speakers.
Whole body vibrating, I glanced over at my friend to see if I was losing my mind or if this was quite possibly the most violent bass experienced outside of an Excision show. Pushing my earplugs further into my ear canal, I braced myself for what was to come.
Taking the stage, the dubstep DJ unleashed a massive ID as his stage design came alive. The focal piece, a giant rectangular LED panel flanked by two circular screens, mimicked the look of tape reels on a cassette tape. An additional four rounded panels added to the grandeur of Tape B’s visual staging.
Hunter Girard, spearheading the lighting and lasers, finessed impeccably timed lighting cues complete with dozens of moving heads and multi-colored laser beams. Another layer was added to the well-thought-out show story with live visuals from VJ DATA_BYTE. Together, the two hypnotized showgoers, immersing them in Tape B’s nostalgia-filled universe.
His 90-minute performance flew by in the blink of an eye. Rinsing everything from “Trippy Land” and “Like That” to his popular remix of “Eyes on Fire” by Blue Foundation, the dubstep phenom hit all the fan-favorites. Of course, it wouldn’t be a Tape B show without an insane amount of IDs. His anticipated collaboration with Of The Trees made the setlist, along with his mega-collab with Levity and Crankdat.
A legend in the making, Tape B is consistently showing why he’s regarded as a major player in today’s electronic scene.
Tape B’s unique blend of hip-hop and old-school dubstep is addictive, to say the least. From the theatrics of the tour stage to his immaculate track selection, his desire to bring his tracks to life in compelling ways is evident. Above all, Tape B’s love for his craft is exactly why electronic music fans and industry professionals alike find themselves rooting for his success.
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