I was in the taxi on my way to the venue when I looked outside for the first time. It was unrecognizable.
I was in the middle of nowhere. Broken down houses, burnt trash, unkempt shrubs all over. The cab guy pulls over and I get out.
I have no idea where the fuck I am, and I'm certain, I'm going to get stabbed and robbed.
Google maps points to this crack in the wall, through which I enter. Inside is a shady looking hotel/wedding hall. There's a few people in there and some food being cooked on the side.
After saying my his to everyone, I step further in and set my stuff down. The next hour and a half has me waiting around like everyone else, hoping that sooner or later there's going to be a crowd that turns this place upside down.
To be fair, once the music kicked in I couldn't think anymore.
Bass so loud that every bone in your body vibrated. Beers flowing all over the place; behind the stage in the 'VIP' area, there were buckets of ice with beers overflowing onto the floor. On the dance floor, hot rocks from joints were flying around, ash and smoked filled the room as more and more took the term "lit" more and more literally.
I've worked enough of these gigs at this point to know how to make myself invisible, work my way through the crowd, get the best shots and also deal with the crowd in a cordial manner. Taking pictures is my job, but I'll never do a good one if I'm not enjoying the music, and being completely free while doing it.
That's what the Bassmndi did really well. Hour after hour flew by until I realized that it was close to 6 in the morning. I hadn't had much to drink, but I had another gig the same day in the afternoon and I had to sleep before that.
Eventually I stumbled home and slept on the floor (I didn't have a bed), before I made my way to the next gig the next day.
It was pure, adrenaline filled madness and it's something I will definitely be keen on covering again.
Check out the pictures below.
(Click on the pictures for a full-size view)
