Because the Night

Because the night belongs to lovers
Because the night belongs to lust
Because the night belongs to lovers
Because the night belongs to us
~Cascada

Friday night I went to UCSB for a free Cascada show.

After spending the day in SB with my friends (try Lilly's near State St. for fantastic tacos) we headed over to Storke Plaza where the show was to take place. We got there a bit before 9 o'clock and the battle of the DJ's that was taking place before Cascada had already started. I was lucky enough to hear that they were playing Basshunter's DOTA as we arriving and since I adore that song I took it as a good sign.

The first DJ's were alright. They played a lot of popular songs, had a pretty good mix, transitioned pretty well and had some songs that were really fun. They danced a bit and since it wasn't too crowded it was fun. They did have some issues though, they played songs for far too long and even I know that when DJing you gotta switch it up often enough to keep the people interested. Especially at the end when they played all of Shout. I mean, yeah, it's a fun song but there are a dozen spots in the song where you should change it to another song. It was their last song so I suppose they thought it would be fun to go through the whole thing but honestly, epic fail. It kind of ruined them for me.

The second DJ was absolutely fantastic. I wish I knew who it was so that I could mention him by name but I never caught any of their names. He had a great mix, fun popular songs and even the songs that I didn't recognize were still easy to get into and easy to dance to. He had some absolutely brilliant transitions that made everything really smooth and with the little studying that I did on DJing I recognize as being pretty fricken hard to learn. Not only that, but the DJ was really fun. He'd get in front of the mixtables dance, get really into it, and time it perfectly to be back and switch the song. There was this one moment where he had his arms thrown out in time with a crescendo, the stage lights created a back light and he looked truly epic. (Actually looked like Jesus). Watching him up there reminded me how much I want to learn how to DJ and get a crowd going in such an amazing way.

After the second DJ, the third is nothing to rave about. The majority of song choices were trance which I feel only those on drugs really are able to get into. He also made the same mistake the first DJ's did in letting the songs go entirely too long. Plus, the dude had the bad luck of being the last DJ before Cascada. By the time he started all I wanted him to do was stop so that we could get to the awesomeness that is Eurodance. On top of all of this, by this time the place filled up with annoying drunk girls who made it impossible for me to either see or dance. Honestly people, if you choose to come late to a show, you no longer have the right to for chains of 15 people and push your way to the front. One of these days someone is just going to get sick of it and punch these girls in the face. I only hope I'm there to see it.

Finally, at 1030, after an hour and a half of DJ's, Cascada took the stage. First, her accent is adorable. My brother compared her to a chipmunk and while accurate makes her seem more annoying than she it. She's so cute. So despite my initial apprehensions, she sounded fantastic. Just as good as on the CD. I was seriously impressed. The crowds made it really hard for me to enjoy the first couple songs but halfway through my brother and I moved to a spot on these steps that were near the stage and not only could I see but I had enough room to dance. Which is a godsend at a show like that. It's just not the same if you can't go crazy. If there is anything I would complain, and did complain, about her set it was that it was entirely too short. I know it was a free show and that seeing her at all is fantastic, but really 30 min? That's all? That's half a set and I was really hoping for more. Nevertheless, great beats and an amazing voice made it a show to remember. She really is a great performer and played all her greatest songs. It was a lot of fun and given the opportunity I would definitely go, and pay, to another show. My sore throat after the show only proves that it's the kind of amazing show where you can just let go and have an absolute blast with your friends.

I almost forgot the best part of the show; she had the corniest introduction ever. I'm so glad that someone recorded it and put it on youtube.



Set list:
Miracle
How Do You Do
Perfect Day
Because the Night
Everytime We Touch
What Hurts the Most