Shpongle @ Congress Theater

Shpongle with Excision
Where: Congress Theater
When: May 14th, 2011
Grade: 5 out of 5 meatballs
Reviewed by: Camille Germain
Photos by: Alex V. Hernandez

After battling the rain on a treacherous two-hour drive with my cousin, whose anxious disregard for the GPS directions or my idle pitches grew to an annoying squeal on how we were going to end up in the ghetto, I arrived at the Congress Theater to see Shpongle.

The security was no joke as I entered the building to join a crowd of festival-going, hippie wannabes who fall short in the presence of today’s technology. I searched for a place to reside while I waited for Shpongle to appear after two different sets by popularly named DJs (Excision and Random Rab). The floor filled with people armored in tie-dye, carrying hula-hoops and glow sticks, some even with dreadlock-styled hair.


Screams and fist pumps coated the air when the announcement of the electronica/alternative DJ was heard; the audience went wild with excitement. It was obvious in the dilated pupils of the swaying people that this would be a Tripper’s delight. A total Shroomfest.

The music started off slow, building up as the lights began appearing on the towering head where Shpongle remained boxed in a booth. Below sat a 3D face that displayed altered images during the concert, while lights extended from an eye above. Each bottom-side became a platform for two near-naked ladies who danced with and without their own hula-hoops. Behind them were screens on each layer of the head that showed images of eyes, faces, people, animals, random colors and so much more.


They definitely knew how to entertain a packed room of their fans! The sound remained smooth throughout the night with each song transitioning almost without notice. Even from the back you could feel the vibrations of noise soaking into your flesh, as if they wanted to live inside you and make you move with them. Shpongle included "DMT," which I felt was a must, and catered to their audience with a light show that was almost unbelievable.


As the show progressed I could feel my body moving to the music in a happy rhythm, just like the majority of individuals around me. All was great and I really got into the music, until a guy decided this was the type of music for a mosh pit and I got knocked into a girl high on mysterious fungi, her face covered with glow-in-the-dark paint. He was taken care of by surrounding audience members who also despised his outburst. And as the show rounded to its end I watched a group of four men inhaling Special K; they all wobbled with smiles to the increasing tones and engulfing music.

Besides the mosher and having water thrown on me, this Shpongle show was a two thumbs up, jump-for-joy masterpiece designed to induce a trip. I enjoyed it thoroughly.