There were countless things going on around town on New Year's Eve, but none seemed to have the hype or excitement surrounding them like that of the Skrillex/Boys Noize show at the Auburn Hills Palace. So when I arrived to the show I expected a jam-packed, wild experience but instead this was a show that gradually grew from a slow simmer to heady boil. Before the major acts most of the crowd milled about the Palace with several heading into the local DJ area where there was an added dance club feel.
The real excitement of the night began when Boys Noize took the stage around 10pm. Boys Noize is the name for German electronic producer/DJ Alexander Ridha who did his set from the top of a gigantic chrome skull. His set was an innovative electro-house mix of quick beats, hip hop, even Nirvana's "Smell's Like Teenage Spirit" sneaked its way into the end of his eclectic set.
Just before midnight as the crowd spilled back into the main arena a countdown started as Bob Marley played in the background. When midnight arrived confetti cannons were shot and the crowd went into a frenzy as Skrillex sprang into a blistering set. He played his set from what looked like a "Star Wars" inspired X-wing fighter. It was an unbelievable sight and I'm still envious he gets to perform from such a cool stage set. Fire shot up from the sides, beams of light came out from the stage like laser beams and Skrillex was non-stop moving with fist pumps and waves to the crowd. His set ended around 1:15am which was just a brief interlude into the next party of the night, the Hard Party, where he played a set with Boys Noize as their new Dog Blood project.
Obviously a big part of the night was the crowd itself, which by midnight numbered around 5,000 fans. Here's a slideshow of the party revelers:
This Post by Mikel O.D. of
