Undux: Kaskade’s Call to Be Present in NYC

At Under the K Bridge in New York, Kaskade traded big-room production for real-world art in his new Undux concert series.

“Come on!” Kaskade yelled on the mic during his recent performance in New York. Yet on that night, his howl, which has become a trademark gesture during pivotal moments of his sets, reverberated louder than ever before.

On August 31, Kaskade was in town as part of his latest undux concert series, a new venture in which he wants to “explore connection through subtraction,” removing the usual LED screens and focusing on “skylines, murals, art, and … each other’s faces.” New York was the second stop of five, and the show took place at one of the city’s most creative offerings: Under the K Bridge.

The outdoor space is like a playground for artists; there’s a mini amphitheater, graffiti on nearby concrete slabs and columns, and a skate park, all of which are situated beneath a highway in Brooklyn, making it the perfect setting for Kaskade’s MO. (Surprisingly, you can barely hear the traffic noise from the cars and trucks above.)

Photo Credit: Miguel Florencio

In and around the amphitheater, everyone was passing the vibe check.

On that mildly warm evening, fans were met, as promised, with a simple production design. Situated at the amphitheater, the stage had the bearings of a few lighting columns, a wooden sun logo with the word “undux,” and a black-and-white mural.

The area in and around the amphitheater was notably tight, but that only heightened the sense of togetherness. The sold-out crowd danced wherever they could—on marble benches, large rocks, or someone’s shoulders. The show was, after all, about letting “the music speak.”

Photo Credit: Miguel Florencio

Photo Credit: Miguel Florencio

In this intimate setting, the effect of Kaskade’s cry caused the crowd to release a wave of significant force.

It was an energy only possible when the audience is truly present. Leading up to that moment, fans exchanged kind expressions with their neighbors, gave space where possible, and, in the case of one person, handed out smiley star stickers. Everyone was passing the vibe check.

The sounds that filled this atmosphere were of house and techno and darker-toned renditions of Kaskade’s hits, with only a few original recordings sprinkled throughout the set. Kaskade, who looked focused behind the decks, was just letting the music drive—no song choice felt forced, no transition out of place. It was the kind of elegant mix that’s rarely experienced in today’s scene.

“Come on!” Kaskade said again at another point in the night. By that hour, fans knew that it wasn’t a standard hyped command. It felt like an invitation to lock in to the moment, with just the music, the art, and each other.

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