It is hard to believe that just a year ago Rapid Growth’s G-Sync sat down with the producers of
MODUL8 to discuss what they were hoping to do with their series that debuted at the intimate event space at Bar Divani on Ionia Avenue.
What made this group of music-focused DJs work so well over the last year as they popped from venue to venue, building an audience along the way, was how committed they were to creating experiences for which music wasn’t the only thing that drove the night. These events explored other forms of art could be harnessed to deepen the creative spirits they hoped to launch, with each edition featuring visual artists and (sometimes) local vendors being introduced as it felt appropriate to the spaces they inhabited.
Needless to say, this is how you not only build an audience but how you educate a local audience about a style of music culture that has had many starts and stops over the last three decades I have been in Grand Rapids.
MODUL8 describes themselves as a collective of local independent artists aiming to expand local knowledge on this culture through the sharing of underground music and the arts. They have even been expanding a bit over the year as they invite others to join us from other cities on this journey.
On Friday night they celebrate their first anniversary by setting up shop at The Pyramid Scheme for a night of music and art with Chicago’s Justin Long (Hugo Ball, Smartbar) and Detroit’s (and former Grand Rapidian) SuperDre (Bass Candi, Soulful Underground, just dreams) will share the stage with MODUL8’s resident DJs Nešto and Sylock.
Artists on display this time include Hugo Claudin and Esan Sommersell with MODUL8 resident artists Elena Solis and George Eberhardt also featured.
While there are a lot of dance events in the city, MODUL8 has not just risen above the rest in a beautiful fashion, but in doing so elevated our entire city’s music counter-culture through their contribution over this last year. Dress to impress but also plan to sweat. These events are made for movement, not posing while staring into your phone.
Admission: 21+ only, $10 advance / $15 day of show