The Worship Tour Sparked My Love for Drum and Bass

Dimension, Sub Focus, 1991, and Culture Shock touched down in San Jose to spread the gospel of drum and bass and kick off their 2024 Worship Tour.

For decades, the sounds of drum and bass have dominated the musical landscape across the world. The US, however, has experienced it through waves of popularity. Today, drum and bass is going through another resurgence that started a few years ago but feels as strong as ever. Sub Focus, Culture Shock, 1991, and Dimension have taken note, and since last year, they’ve brought their Worship Tour to fans all over the States.

The first edition of the Worship Tour was met with critical acclaim and massive success, sparking a second run in North America with the first stop in San Jose, California. The night began with a bang as Star Eyes took the decks to get the dancefloor moving with her high-octane style. Star Eyes was initially not advertised as support, so it was a nice surprise to catch her in action as I previously was exposed to her through her Boiler Room set in Los Angeles.

The quadruple main event of the evening began after Star Eyes with an incredible set from 1991.

As soon as 1991 got on stage, the music got louder, the crowd flocked to the front, and the energy felt electric. I knew I was about to go on the ride of a lifetime. The melodies captivated me while the buildups created tension until epic releases with mesmerizing drops. 1991’s set flew by, but he put the cherry on top by ending with my favorite song by him, “Full Send.”

After 1991, Culture Shock brought a dynamic to his set that mixed melodic records with blistering twists. Culture Shock ended up being one of my favorite performances of the night, as he played tons of tracks that tickled my ears. More importantly, I appreciated his ability to read the crowd, which shined brightly whenever he dropped unexpected tracks to reel them back in or give them rest after periods of intensity.

Photo Credit: Sam Neill

Dimension took the stage shortly thereafter, and although the night was nearing the end, it felt like time flew by with these great performances.

I wondered how Dimension would keep the energy going and follow up 1991 and Culture Shock’s banging sets, but this feeling was no match for his musical range. His set spanned the entire musical spectrum with jump-up drum and bass, 4×4 UK Hardcore drops, easily digestible pop remixes, and much more. To put it simply, Dimension was ripping bangers for one hour straight, delivering my favorite set of the night!

Sub Focus was on closing duties, and he rounded off the Worship collective with a set on the chill side while keeping the crowd engaged. I was already getting tired, but I couldn’t get enough of these guys and stayed to see Sub Focus do his thing. Watching him was like seeing a master at work as he highlighted the art of DJing to the maximum. Every track seamlessly flowed into one another; fans were dancing the entire time, and it felt like he was truly having fun as he fed off the energy from the crowd.

Once the show was over, I understood why drum and bass has fascinated audiences worldwide for years. The energy from a ferocious buildup, the nasty growls in the drops, and the incredible crowd reactions sent adrenaline coursing through my entire being. As it was the first full drum and bass show I’ve ever attended, I’m confident that I’ll seek out these sounds more often at events.

Make sure to snag a ticket to the remaining stops on the North American leg of the Worship Tour to experience the pinnacle of drum and bass!