Club review: Skrillex @ BCM Mallorca, 30.07.12

A countdown starts over games-console imagery of outer space and smoky skies. A chap all in black, one half of his head shaved, the other lank with long locks, climbs onto the iconic BCM stage.

Skrillex is his name. As he ascends the stage a considerable chant soars through the club, ice cannons are at the ready and the beat of the bass amplifies the audience's every move. Skrillex has certainly come to have a party. His music is described as ball breaking, and this description certainly rang true as he tested the punchy BCM system.

Essentially, this is musical manna for the all-access, all-shuffle generation. Its relentless pace also quickly feels samey, but it's hard not to be jolted by it, metaphorically and literally. Lyrics are minimal, only slogans to be chanted by the crowd - 'Breakin' a Sweat' gets the crowd hollering "it's all right, it's all right"; the propulsive 'Rock and Roll' also gets them shouting its title. Skrillex barely sings these days; Autotuned female vocals usually do that work for him. The event was more about the bass and sheer talent behind the decks. If it was a heavy bassline you were after, this was the event for you.

Skrillex himself is amazing to watch, something else you could never fault him for. After brief interaction with the crowd who are simply in awe of what they have seen, out of nowhere comes 'Scary Monsters and Nice Sprites'; its riff more persuasive than all that's come before, its gurgles absurdly belly-deep. The ceiling-sweat becomes a rainstorm. Young men's chests are wet patchworks of cannoned paper. You sense this is how low bass can go, and how high it can feel, and how far it has reached out.

An event certainly fitting to the BCM audience who left with a smile and a talking point or two, and as Skrillex's fan base grows this is a sure fire booking for BCM next summer.

Words: Kloe Wells

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