Steve Aoki at Spire

Steve Aoki performs at Spire Nightclub. Credit: Photo by Jack Gorman

Steve Aoki
Spire Nightclub
11/22/17

Thanksgiving eve is one of the biggest party nights of year. People returning home from all over the country have used this night to party for ages. Throwing down on Thanksgiving eve is as traditional turkey and dressing for the holiday meal. This year superstar DJ Steve Aoki returned to Houston to “Rage the Night Away” and assist with the unofficial holiday.

Around 11:30 p.m. the doorman at Spire Nightclub mentioned that it was already slammed and it was a definitely not a normal night of revelery. The opportunity to see Aoki in a small venue generated automatic excitement. The venue was at sold out show was at capacity and absolutely packed. It was even difficult getting press credentials.

The music went quiet and the club went dark as he took control of the decks. The crowd repeatedly chanting “Aoki” as his graphics were loading on the boards on and above the elevated DJ booth. All at once the beats hit and the gel lighting saturated the bodies in different colors on the dance floor.

Aoki is an entertainer who appears to enjoy his work. The superstar DJ spent most of the set in the elevated pulpit but ventured down to dance floor to mingle with his congregation. The energy from the crowd and performer seemed to collide at the front of the stage where Lady L performers flanked the small area that the producer would come down and whip the crowd into a fervor.

Fans tied to get as close as they could to Aoki. Credit: Photo by Jack Gorman

He interacted with his fans who were attempting to sneak past the security staff and off-duty police officers to get on stage or to the DJ booth.

Early in the set he dropped “All Night” featuring the hook by Lauren Jauregui of Fifth Harmony, “let’s keep this going all night.The dance floor was hot and steamy but the A/C was working overtime and people actually chilled while getting a drink at the outer bar.

The set spanned Aoki’s career but was heavy on the newest release “Kolony” on his Dim Mak record label.Aoki’s trap anthems mesh with guitar riffs from “Smells Like Teen Spirit” and AC/DC’s “Thunderstruck” then flow into Céline Dion’s “My Heart Will Go On” and come full circle to “Pursuit of Happiness”

Of course there was the dessert to wrap up the night. There is always cake served at his shows. The extraordinary aim of the infamous cake-tosser was on display as he nailed fans at point blank range but also launched bombs toward the back of the room. It is simply another one of his skills and excuse the pun but fans eat it up.