On Wednesday, September 4th, Dirtwire steered their Electric River Tour through Northeast, Ohio. Stopping at the Beachland Ballroom for the evening, they exhilarated the intimate crowd with their mind-bending, groove inspiring musical exhibition.
The night began with Bypass Circuit, rousing the crowd with intricate constructions of live electronic music. Utilizing a variety of instruments of sound—including a Moog synthesizer and an electric bass—technology combined with instrumentation as Bypass Circuit created a unique experience that weaved through new discoveries of auditory expression. Twisting and turning in ways not quite expected, the music Bypass Circuit created led the eager audience through realizations of unique grooves and eccentric vibes as it flowed into a cohesive body of sound.
Prepped by the high energy of the opening act, the anticipation was palpable in the eager audience as they awaited their main act. As Dirtwire emerged on stage they quickly delivered, diving straight into their expansive instrumentation—they dropped driving melodies infused with hypnotic beats, instantly pulling the crowd into their fervent musical study.
Dirtwire continuously exhibited their distinct musical genius as they flowed through their high energy set. Combining diverse sounds and styles, they took the crowd on a transcendent musical escapade that spoke to their souls, through their ears. Their songs spun the stories of an imaginative world of intrigue that spans continents and opens passageways to other dimensions.
And in the midst of it all, the enjoyment and intrigue in relation to one another, and the sounds each spun from their fingers and voices, shown through. Their passion for the creation of sound filled the bodies of the instruments they directed, transferring into the notes that poured across the stage and onto the floor—they infused themselves once again into the bodies of those listening, tuning their bodies and movements into the uniqueness of the communal journey through sound.
Fundamental to Dirtwire’s unique sound is their use of diverse instruments, which incite visual and auditory enjoyment. “Let me introduce a friend of mine,” multi-instrumentalist Evan Fraser said, as he brought out the kamale n’goni—a beautiful stringed instrument, native to western Africa. They proceeded to truly highlight the sound of the instrument and share a bit of its history, before pulling it into the full symphony of sound.
Dirtwire blends a diverse repertoire of styles and traditions into a beautiful whole. They also honor and respect the origins of the sounds, techniques, and instruments they engineer into their music, sharing the histories and stories with their diverse audience. When the performance at the Beachland Ballroom came to a close, Fraser could be found in the front hallway taking the time to talk to fans and demonstrate some of the instruments they use to create the unique sounds intrinsic to some of their pieces.
Dirtwire takes their audience on a musical journey, in which it is easy to get lost in the experience. They also respect and honor the pieces and processes that create the whole that flows through them on stage. They share the stories and take the time to connect to their audience. Dirtwire at the Beachland Ballroom was an impactful experience for all those that attended the show last Wednesday night. The Electric River Tour flowed through Cleveland, its current catching the spirit of many along the way.
SUCH a fun show. You really captured it! <3