Concert Review: Sequence Music Festival Shines Through The Rain

Truthfully, Sequence Fest did not feel like a festival, but that opened it up to another potential: concert series. Run by The Bell House/ City Farm Presents and happening at Industry City’s courtyard, Sequence Fest felt like the beginning of Summerstage or BRIC! While those are free, Sequence Fest offered a solid line-up of DJs and burgeoning artists that each have had their own sold-out shows.

From Shaed to Aaron Taos, Sequence Festival felt like an attractor of mainstream eccentricity. These artists have arisen for being “different” yet enrapturing. After all, who calls themselves Com Truise? You have to be a witty genius to do that! Yet, even moreso, you have to be pretty smart to see the potential of Industry City’s courtyard as a solid competitor in the concert series scene. For one, it’s biggest charm is that its does not feel exclusive or excluding. Under the stringed lights, suddenly, its graveled road became “beach-like” in feel. With a few outdoor hackey-sack games and the Food Hall to get delicious grub, Sequence Fest was like a super- hip Block Party.

While you would think the bad weather of this weekend would have played a detriment to Sequence Fest, it was the contrary. People danced like it they were filming a choreographed, rain sequence for Step Up! Of course, the space emptied out slightly, but for those that braved the weather, it was like having your own “grown-up” playground. It was especially vibrant for people hanging out in groups because, again, the rain appealed to your inner kid. Admittedly, my faves were the DJs because of the weather situation.

Anna Wise – Girl, Mother, Crone

While the artists were phenomenal, and gave their all to the crowd, I felt biased towards how the DJ’s aesthetic met the rain. After all, you cannot blame Sequence Music Festival for the surprisingly bad weather. In contrast, you have to admire that production went forward, and artists used a “negative” situation as if it was a style choice: like sun and rain were the equivalent to choosing between shorts or capris. Moreover, Anna Wise is like a rising icon; her fierce, carefree style as a singer and fashionista was, alone, worth the ticket.  Still, from Com Truise to Neon Indian and Pomo, something about pure, uninterrupted rhythms and grooves met the courtyard’s ambiance perfectly, and sparked in me the feeling that this Sequence Music Fest should be Sequence Concert Series.

I know that is a rather bold move/ review. Telling someone a potential “business” idea can be taken wrong, but, again, fest felt like too strong a word. Instead, the 2 night event, felt more like a chic showcase that I would go to again next week or next month. It felt easy in attraction because it did not have the heaviness and packed atmosphere/ lineups of other festivals. Yet, perhaps, next year it will get jam-packed. Although, I hope not. The casual interpersonally of this event allowed people to stroll in and sway to the soundscapes as if Sequence Music “festival”  should be weekly.