The Glitch Mob close US tour, prove they might make the world stop

The buildup was tremendous at The Warfield on Friday, May 9. After uninspiring sets by overly glossy Penthouse Penthouse and Bay Area DJ Ana Sia, the three beat masters who comprise LA-based The Glitch Mob — Ooah, Boreta, and edIT — finally revealed themselves and their big setup. Several minutes of silence had heightened the anticipation; a fabric sheet was lifted to expose The Glitch Mob’s futuristic booth, which consisted of three angled tables, each equipped with four iPads, a MIDI, and each backed by a set of Japanese Taiko drums.

And so the charismatic trio began the last stop of their US tour; a well-received party that figuratively and almost literally destroyed Friday night’s full house.

“We’re all part of this collective narrative that is Love Death Immortality,” edIT announced a couple songs into the energetic set in reference to The Glitch Mob’s new album, released earlier in the year. “Who was at the Apple Store [we played in] eight year ago?”

Pockets of the dance pit erupted in cheers. A man in the front row lifted his viking hammer victoriously. Like the rest of the audience members, who were decked in light-up hoodies, bowler hats, and ripped tees, he was rave-ready.

Costumes fit the upbeat, popular music of the electronic three-piece, who are also known for performing with their gear facing the audience. The stayed true to their reputation Friday night, angling their apparatuses to give fans a full view of their process. However awkward it was for the musicians, they skillfully reached over the tops of their tables to operate buttons and sliders.

It took 90 minutes for The Glitch Mob to tear through their most-known tracks. They played cuts from the revered Drink the Sea (2010) as well as some from their latest, Love Death Immortality. They also paid homage to their origins with their first single, a remix of Matty G’s “West Coast Rocks.” The wordless tune brought the venue, including the balcony, to its feet, and just about lifted The Warfield’s hardwood floor.

With fifteen minutes to spare, The Glitch Mob was off the stage again, but this time for an encore. Little did the audience know, they had saved the best of the show for last. In a triple-threat succession, they played “Fortune Days,” “We Can Make the World Stop,” and “Can’t Kill Us.” It felt like an entirely different performance, intensified by the band’s request for everyone to neglect their phones and social media, and just “dance like it was their last.” Needless to say, this request was granted.

The Glitch Mob will return to North American and Europe this summer to play a series of festivals.

Article by Joanna Jiang
Photos by Chris Van Redman