For the second weekend in a row, L.A.’s Historic Park played host to tens of thousands of music fans looking to escape the sprawl. While most of the area was still reeling from the rock fest of L.A. Rising (Rage Against The Machine, Muse, Rise Against, etc), it was finally time for the indie dancers, disco set, and DJ kids to take to the fields outside of Chinatown, in preparation for the hotly-anticipated return of HARD Summer.
An estimated 30,000 showed up for this year’s event, to catch the likes of Odd Future, Holy Ghost!, Ratatat, Digitalism, Dillon Francis, Ducksauce, Pat Mahoney & James Murphy (of LCD Soundsystem fame), Chromeo, NERO, Skrillex, Boyz Noise, Ratatat, and many more. And show up, they did. Tweeted festival standouts, Chromeo, after the show:
“@Chromeo: Aiight you get the idea. #HARDFest you were amazing. Such a huge crowd. LA we salute you. #family #domination”
Backed by an array of Robert Palmer dancers, blinding white lights, and a distinct, almost masculine take on digital disco, Chromeo would come away as the favorite for many in attendance. Well, at least for those who hadn’t taken nine vitamins before sunset and needed atmospherically offbeat noise to find their groove. Which, in it’s own special way, is how an event like HARD has found its niche: provide a safe, secure venue for those who so choose to go as wild as they desire (this is L.A., after all…), yet also fostering a real music scene and diverse lineup that allows the older crowd, hipster set, and all kinds of dance-loving people to find their own rhythm. In much the same way that the EDC events have chosen to fully embrace the furry boots and questionable dress, HARD prefers to don their Ray-Bans, kiss the sky, and dance ‘til dawn – without having to change before heading home.
The list of standout acts (if you haven’t seen a NERO show yet, go…), notable events (guy in wheelchair crowdsurfing during the Odd Future show, Jared Leto filming in the VIP tent), and memorable recollections (“I just danced to LCD [Murphy & Mahoney] for two straight hours! I need a drink…”) was as long as the Historic Park GA line to enter the show. For HARD, Summer 2011 was an overall huge success. For L.A., it was further proof that the reign of DJs and livetronica is in full effect. And for all in attendance, another reminder that their family is out there-and one more reason to purchase their tickets for what’s already being lauded as the must-attend show of the coming Fall: Hard Haunted Mansion, October 28th through 30th, at the Shrine, featuring Fatboy Slim, Soulwax, RUSKO, Skrillex, Laidback Luke, Major Lazer, and many, many more.
