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Review and Photos By Andy Argyrakis
From
forming in late 2008 through today, Swedish House Mafia's rise to recognition
has been nothing short of a rocket ride, at least as far as the EDM scene goes.
Granted, the general population might not have a clue about this trio of DJs
and producers, but after selling out Chicago's
cavernous United Center
(a feat Lady Gaga's recently aborted tour couldn't even accomplish), it's
undeniable
that the latest electronic music revival isn't just an underground niche
anymore.
Adding
additional fuel to the fire is the fact that Wednesday's concert was part of
the troupe's "One Last Tour," an over the top farewell that will clear the
future calendars of Axwell, Steve Angello and Sebastian Ingrosso to work on
solo projects. Both collectively and individually, these trendsetters are in
high demand, as evidenced in the show's diverse set list, which was split
between originals and some of the hottest remixes to ever hit the club scene.
The unrelenting
party was practically at full tilt for the entire two hour duration thanks to
pulsating dance tracks like "Sunrise
(Won't Get Lost)" and "Here We Go," which instantly transformed the arena into
an all night rave. Come remixes of Coldplay's "Every Teardrop Is a Waterfall"
and Florence and The Machine's
"You've Got The Love," the WindyCity
audience may as well have been at Miami's
Ultra Music Festival mainstay in all its tank top wearing, glow stick waving
glory.
But
more than merely the grooves, Swedish House Mafia excelled with an eye-catching
spectacle that could easily rival the laser-lined atmospheres of Pink Floyd's
peak. Aside from endless beams of lights and strobes, there were also floor to
ceiling Kraftwerk-styled projections (though the majority of fans in their teens
and early twenties probably never heard of those electro pioneers), pyro that
would've made an '80s hair metal band proud and plenty of confetti come the
group's
show stopper "Don't You Worry Child." If the trio insists on hanging up their
hats, at least they're going out on top of their game with a bang loud and
bright enough to light up the night from "Miami 2 Ibiza."
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