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If you are someone who knows ANYTHING about Death Grips, then I’m sure you understand how major it was when they announced that they were going to be touring this year. I won’t get too into it, but they’re kind of an elusive group, to say the least.
Death Grips is an industrial/experimental hip-hop group from California, and their live performances are somewhat infamous. Despite the fact that their sound is already harsh and loud, which makes their shows quite intense, sometimes…they don’t even show up to their own performances! DG was supposed to perform at the Chicago music festival Lollapalooza in 2013, but they decided not to show, and upon learning that they wouldn’t be performing, fans decided to destroy their equipment in outrage. Those are the types of people that listen to this group’s music.
These guys basically have a cult status in the music world, so when they announced they were touring in 2023, I was thrilled. I’ve been a big fan for a while, so I made sure to be at this show.
Death Grips were set to perform at the Harbour Convention Centre downtown, May 5th, doors at 8, show at 9. The times are IMPORTANT to the story, trust me. I had to finish up my newscast at school, so I rushed downtown and met up with my friends in line a little after 8. We were towards the front of the line, and they weren’t letting us in, but no big deal. Stuff runs late sometimes, it’s all good. 9 PM comes and goes, the sun has basically set, and the line hasn’t moved. We ended up getting let into the venue at TEN PM. Wow.
This was my first time at the Harbour Convention Centre, and it was definitely…interesting! It used to be Edgewater Casino, but got converted to the venue space that it is today back in 2018. The Edgewater Casino sign is still up, which is kind of funny. The interior also seems like it hasn’t been updated at all–it’s still very casino-esque. It’s a cool, but strange place. My favorite feature was the giant TV screen displaying a constant stream of ads for disposable vapes. Clearly, the Harbour Convention Centre hasn’t shaken its casino roots.
11 PM was approaching fast…and still no sign of the guys. Remember, they were supposed to be on at 9. NINE!! Given DG’s history, my friends and I were speculating that they weren’t going to show at all. Ghosted by Death Grips…
Thankfully, that DID NOT happen, because the guys got on stage and launched into their performance a little after 11! I gotta say, it was a WILD show. I’ve been to shows where I’ve gotten a pretty decent beating before, but this one probably takes the cake. At one point, someone tried to go up to crowd surf, and on their way up, they accidentally kicked me in the chin. I was fine, thankfully, but that was about the intensity threshold of the show. I came out of it COVERED in bruises, but it was so worth it. I had a great time, and Death Grips’ setlist was totally stacked. No new material, but they played all the hits, which rocked. I didn’t get much in the way of photos since I didn’t feel like losing my phone in the crowd ether, but my boyfriend did get this clip:
Despite the late start, it was still an incredible experience that’ll definitely take a spot as one of my favorite shows I’ve been to.