Originally published at AXS.com on Nov 9, 2018. Archived here as part of portfolio.
Hard’s Day of the Dead made a triumphal return to downtown LA this past weekend. Fans enjoyed a night of food, music and the arts. More importantly, the venue also gave fans opportunities to remember loved ones.
Playing host to Shiba San, J. Phlip and the always entertaining and energetic Die Antwoord, this one-day event was the place to be.
Nestled in Los Angeles’ Art District at the State Historic Park, fans were in for a double treat of music and art. As they walked from the surrounding streets towards the venue, they were greeted by wall murals from local artists covering the buildings. This impromptu art walk prepared fans for what greeted them inside the park: art installations and more wall murals (for Instagram selfies, of course!) all invoking the vibe and spirit of Mexico’s Day of the Dead.
The annual celebration of the Day of the Dead is a time to remember loved ones lost. Families gather together around pictures and mementos of those who have gone before them. This celebration was most recently captured in last year’s Pixar movie, Coco.
As fans passed through the gates and into the festival, they were greeted by vibrantly colored murals and walls, all of which play into the holiday’s vibe. The Day of the Dead is not a time to mourn, but to celebrate. Hard captured this idea perfectly in its art design, sets and most notably, artist lineup. The artists brought the festivities of life and remembrance to a soul-enlivening crescendo. Cashmere Cat, Knife Party and more prepared the crowd for the headliners who were to take the stage.
As Die Antwoord, Justice and Shiba San rocked the various stages in only the ways they can, the fans were in for a treat.
Notably, Die Antwoord’s frenetic set brought new fans and seasoned veterans confirmation of how truly great the South African group is. Real-life couple and music duo Ninja and Yolandi, who fans definitely remember from the underrated movie Chappie, along with producer DJ Hi-Tek (and his next level beats!) brought what can only be described as soul-pounding kinetic energy to the stage.
Before Die Antwoord shook up the scene, Ninja took the stage shirtless and wearing a mask at the beginning of the set. And Yolandi, his partner in life and lyric, came out to dazzle in white shorts and a long sleeve top. She danced, shook, climbed to the top of the set deck and traded rhymes at a heart-pounding pace with Ninja. Make no mistake, she can rap, sing and dance. It’s not just all show and no talent. In fact, it’s talent upon talent that keeps the crowds always coming back for more. It’s hard to take one’s eyes off of Yolandi as she climbs up and down the stage, but then there is Ninja jumping into the crowd, surfing back and forth, all the while continuing the frenetic pace of lyrics.
Showmanship. Talent. Energy. Die Antwoord has it in droves and truly brought it all for everyone not just to see, but to feel. If there is one act that truly reminds Day of the Dead fans why the festival must come back to the heart of Los Angeles’ Art District, it’s Die Antwoord. They showed the crowd that life is worth living to its utmost, and that loved ones remembered will always be there to help guide the way.
As fans return to the hustle and bustle of daily life, one can also hope that life returns to Hard’s Day of the Dead as a yearly event in the heart of Los Angeles.