I have always been a huge fans of Industrial/Techo/ Electronic or whatever name they are using for this unique and special brand of rhythm and beats. I was a fan of the late night DJ induced music sets on the FM dial in my younger days, pumping the volume as loud as the speakers allowed me sometimes feeling the windows rattle in the car. The intense thumping of the amplified bass seemed to coordinate with my heartbeat. Both pumping, pushing and coursing music and life into my tired body as I listened to it religiously like the Siren’s song.
That same vibe came back to me and about 5,000 other Rays fans who packed the AstroTurf of Tropicana Field for the Friday Fest Concert featuring International DJ Astrojack. This definitely was one of the loudest concerts held in Tropicana Field since possibly Janet Jackson’s “Black Cat Tour”, but during this performance, it was the crowd that seemed to have the choreographed dances moves. With the first note of bass, the assembled crowd began their rhythmic bouncing and hand raising saluting and following the grooves and pulsations streaming from the huge loud speakers.
Combining the mind-numbing bass from his selected play list with the electronic visual movements and designs flashing upon the stage and DJ platform, DJ Astrojack came to Tampa Bay to impress, and he delivered and then some on Friday night. Sure the Trop’s seating bowl did not have its usual filled lower bowl seats staying to listen and watch the performance, but this style of music is not for everyone. Even today dancing to this type of music has to be a crowd inspired coordinated dance movement complete with hands raised high, extended arms to the heavens and letting your body absorb the pulsations.
I actually enjoyed the night from watching the glow-girl with her lighted hula hoop, to seeing both young and old doing their own versions of the “Night at the Roxbury” head bops and accelerated dance moves. It was definitely a musical event either you understood, or shook your head as you exited the Trop. I ventured outside the Trop to see just how loud it was inside the enclosed stadium, and wandered over to Ferg’s and could still hear clear as a bell the music as it vibrated off the Teflon roof of the Trop.
The orange glow of the Tropicana Field roof made this inspired impromptu dance party seem more at home, and I swear I saw the roof flex and move to the music at least once. I eventually strolled back into the Trop. and listened to the last beat as it made its way through the Trop., echoing off the roof and finally coming back to my ears still leaving it’s loud impression.
The concert was a success if you consider the people who stayed swayed and moved with the pulsations of the beats like blades of grass. I was exhausted when I finally stepped into the cool air outside the stadium, but the intense pulsations of the sounds tonight still had control of my heart. It was one of those nights you will remember because it was a first within the walls of the Trop., and hopefully it will not be the last.
Blogger’s Note: Is it just me, or does DJ Astrojack look like a young Carlos Pena?
Rays Renegade 
4 replies on “Dance Party- Trop Style”
Great pictures. It looks like it was a lot of fun!
Mark,
It was an intense scene. I seriously held my camera in my hand and you could see it vibrate….That is pumping some extreme bass out into the crowd. Had a great time listening to music I do not hear too often now, and watch some wild dance moves and great movements by the crowd.
I wonder how the dome affected it. It probably would have been a different experience had it been in an open-air ballpark, right? Although, I’ve never heard any accounts of the Trop being a place where the acoustics are great, e.g. people always said how loud the Metrodome was. Is there something different about it that sound doesn’t really get trapped, or is it that I just haven’t heard it?
-Mateo
http://mateofischer.mlblogs.com
Mateo,
I’m glad you brought that up. In the past the Rays have had their large speakers hoisted by a high reach forklift, but settled the line of speakers near the bottom sets of amplified speakers. Recently they began to tilt the forks back and hoist the string of speakers a bit higher, and the sound seemed to carry better and bounced off the 301 level back wall inbstead of the Club level. That produced a clearer sound than I have heard in a long, long time.