Steve Aoki’s Big Show at the Shrine Fueled By Nitto Reviewed

Dim Mak monarch Steve Aoki did what anyone else would do on their birthday - threw a huge party and invited everyone to it. Wednesday night packed the Shrine Auditorium with fishnets, spirit hoods and die-hard Aoki fans. For a guy that has it all, it seems that the best birthday gift anyone could have given him was his devoted audience. After singing "Happy Birthday," Aoki addressed his fans shouting, "I love everyone in this room right now, thank you so much!"

Supporters Dirtyphonics and Dimitri Vegas & Like Mike fed the crowd an appetizer of familiar samples (Coldplay, anyone?) and heavy bass drops, but it was Aoki's name everyone was chanting in the suspenseful interim. A star-studded video of wishes introduced the birthday boy to the stage as his mere presence mesmerized his onlookers. Aoki wasted no time, commanding the crowd with his token meticulous beats and direct interaction. Cider showers, cake fights, signature raft surfing and giant light robots shooting smoke did not distract from the sonic assault Aoki inflicted. Playing the ultimate crowd pleaser, "Pursuit of Happiness" remix, had the crowd calling back to Aoki as he crouched on the console simultaneously pumping his arm and muting Kid Cudi for the call backs. "No Beef" Afrojack ft. Miss Palmer converged with new track, "When We Come Home," which features gentle transitions between smothering bass and twinkling beats that entice listeners to inch closer to the origin of sound.

Amongst the spiderweb of lasers, Aoki's smoky silhouette conducted his audience like a puppeteer, throwing his arms side to side and drawing the energy out of every individual. There was no shortage of explosive moments of sensory surges with an amalgam of smoke bursts, strobes, lasers and confetti to pair with low bass sequences - a multi-colored enchanting warzone. Aoki's genuine commitment to embracing his passion bleeds into the crowd giving everyone no choice but to absorb the moment. Aoki proves he is more than just a DJ, he is a curator, incorporating danceable rhythms and hidden layers that grow bigger when injected with the energy of crowd cheers and blinding stage antics.

Fueled by Nitto, Aoki was surprised with a tire shaped cake in his face as a dozen of his friends flooded the stage in the “Beat Down” finale. No one was safe from flying neon icing or Aoki’s lingering presence even after he exited the stage.

Written By: Britt Witt

Photo By: Caesar Sebastian (See full Gallery HERE.)