An hour before doors open for Zeds Dead’s Two Night Stand tour, ravers dressed in their festival best defy the crisp March air as they line up outside the Knitting Factory in Spokane, Washington.
They’ve been planning for this event for weeks if not months– the slow winter season hits smaller cities particularly hard, and big-league artists rarely grace the community with a full weekend show.
Where acts like the Two Night Stand Tour come a dime a dozen in urban nightlife hubs like Los Angeles, the Bay Area, or Miami, they make a big splash in the country’s more unsung communities – communities like Spokane and the other four cities Zeds Dead hand-picked for this tour.
While they often get overlooked, small cities and rural communities are an important part of the modern dance music scene and there are many reasons why they deserve more time in the spotlight.
Zeds Dead’s weekend performance in Spokane offers a first glance at why this is the case.
“We knew this was going to be a special show, so when it was announced, my brothers and I were like, we have to go!” said Portland-based Zeds Dead fan Jamie as she and her friends rallied in line. Moods were running high and the crowds were eager to get the party going.
Jamie’s expectations for the show would not go unfulfilled. The occasion resulted in unbridled energy, authentic enthusiasm, and long-awaited opportunities for artists and fans alike to connect on a new level.
And the top highlight of all? Fans got to witness a festival-worthy show in the intimate setting of a small venue.
An irreplaceable experience unfolds when a great artist delivers their best work for a smaller crowd. Finding the right balance between production and crowd connection can be a tricky feat to pull off and artists sometimes have to choose between prioritizing one or the other with larger crowds.
Smaller venues automatically offer a more intimate setting which allows artists to focus on the music and the crowd connection. That makes for a truly great time when that venue is filled with fans who know they’re getting a special experience.
As the night went on, people sang along, hugged their friends, complimented strangers, and looked genuinely grateful to participate in the experience.
Zeds Dead delivered an energizing mix of unreleased tracks, remixes, and classics, and almost everyone could be seen dancing throughout the night despite the admittedly packed crowd.
Artists can always count on small cities to find this kind of energy. It’s no surprise that many artists prefer smaller curated events to the big festival stages. That’s good news for ticket sales as enthusiasm sells and these kinds of shows almost always sell out.
Fans in these communities are loyal, and they will go out of their way to support their favorite acts. Promoters looking to expand their reach can find a lot of hidden potential in smaller cities. It’s a win-win for the industry and fans alike because both parties can expect a successful outcome.
That said, it’s especially a win for fans who must otherwise travel long distances to see their favorite artists. Taking frequent trips out of town is expensive and it becomes a barrier that disproportionately affects people from more isolated or underprivileged communities, leaving them feeling left out.
It’s unfortunate because inclusion has always been a core tenant of raving. As the rave experience is increasingly reformed into a luxury endeavor, accessibility is becoming a growing issue.
Putting smaller communities on the map can help ease the squeeze on people who can’t afford to travel and it can help artists deepen their connection with their fans because it shows a deeper level of appreciation for their support.
Finally, when artists mindfully include smaller cities on their tours, they can help elevate local talent.
The music industry is incredibly competitive, and gaining visibility is often an artist’s key to success. Nowhere is this more important than in smaller communities where even talented producers often start at a disadvantage simply because they don’t get the same opportunities to network as their counterparts in cities like Miami or LA.
Successful artists like Zeds Dead can make a significant impact in the lives of up-and-coming artists simply by sharing the stage with them.
This is important because bringing talent from smaller communities into the fold adds diversity to the dance music community and every artist deserves a chance to catch their break, no matter where they are from.
In this era of maximalism, it’s important to remember that the best experiences sometimes happen in unassuming places.
Zeds Dead’s Two Night Stand tour saw all the success of a large city spectacle. Besides the performance itself, the tour found success because it gave people living in communities that often get overlooked a chance to feel appreciated.
Rural communities, small cities, and off-the-beaten path communities are home to some of the dance music scene’s most loyal die-hard members. Choosing these locations to host events is not only a profitable choice, it’s also a breath of fresh air for people who want performances where they can feel closer to their favorite artists.
Most importantly though, it’s a meaningful act of appreciation and inclusion for all members of the rave community.
Images Courtesy of Brady Colee and Insomniac.
