Loud Luxury, you’ve changed me

By Mariyam Quaisar, Managing Editor

On Sunday, Feb. 19, a herd of exhilarated Bostonians and beyond wrapped around the block outside of House of Blues. As the line slowly but surely nudged closer toward the venue’s bright red and blue sign, excited chatter increased in anticipation of the up-and-coming Loud Luxury duo who would soon dominate the stage. 

Loud Luxury, a music production and DJ duo from Ontario, Canada, rose in popularity in 2017 after the release of their first remix “Scared to be Lonely,” originally by Martin Garrix and Dua Lipa. Now, Joe Depace and Andrew Fedyk, with over 30 songs and multiple albums, have performed on the biggest stages in this country and continue to play the perfect beat for a night full of exuberant dancing. 

Loud Luxury’s Sunday concert followed their electric performance at Big Night Live on Saturday. The lingering excitement from Saturday night was evident in their performance on Sunday as they came out at House of Blues with contagious enthusiasm and an appreciation for Boston’s listeners. 

Before Loud Luxury proved their power, pop and EDM artist and producer Deerock—also known as Derek Attardi—warmed up the crowd with softer beats. Then, American DJ and music producer Kastra, also known as Ray Decker, prepped the audience for a night of magical music. Around 9:15 p.m., Kastra seamlessly brought his set to a close and announced the soon-entry of the duo everyone was eagerly waiting for. 

As soon as the name “Loud Luxury” was announced to the eager crowd, attendees went wild and cheered the pair onto the stage—and the rest was history. This was true at least for me, because I swear I blacked out on the pure joy I was feeling. 

From the moment the dynamic duo came out at 9:23 p.m. to when they reluctantly waved goodbye at 11:25 p.m., each set, each mix, and each beat was phenomenal. Each creative transition, complemented with strobe lights and blasts of confetti that showered the crowd, kept the energy up throughout the night. The colorful graphics playing behind them kept listeners on their toes, especially when the infamous “Boston runs on Dunkin” phrase lit up and everyone started chanting. 

There was not a single second when the audience was not moving—even when there was a lull in beats, hands were up in the air and waving for the next song, because how could they not? Catchy tracks like “Nights Like This,” “Wasted,” “Gummy,” and “I’m Not Alright” swept up the night and left the crowd begging for more. 

For me, after a stressful week, the best way to cope before entering another full week of assignments and meetings is to dance my heart out. I danced so much I needed to put my hair up, but then take it back down so I could whip my hair back and forth (thank you Willow Smith). 

The crowd, full of young adults dressed in a mix of shimmery tops and LED glasses—I myself was in a beaded gray tank top and leather skirt with heeled boots—was spread across the venue with eccentric smiles plastered across their faces (unless the bartender refused them another drink). Everyone was either droppin’ it like it was hot at the bar, moshin’ in the pit, or jumpin’ with a group of friends in the balcony seats. When I say there was no limit to the happiness in the House, I mean it. 

The best part of the concert, obviously apart from the incredible music, was the way Depace and Fedyk interacted with their audience. Whether it was jumping up onto the DJ table, calling out to members of the audience, crowd surfing to their famous track “Body,” or throwing pieces of their clothing (yes, Depace was shirtless at one point), the duo proved they love what they do and fed off the energy of the crowd. 

They left no stone unturned in putting up a spectacular show, even after knocking Boston’s socks off the night before. The combination of electrifying lights, vibrating floors, and bright smiles across my friends’ faces made the experience one I will never forget. 

Thank you Loud Luxury for giving me a night to feel carefree and unbothered amidst all the finance reading I have to do.