LIGHT: EDM Gets Cirque du Soleil-ed In Las Vegas

LIGHT, a Las Vegas nightclub created by The Light Group and Cirque du Soleil, launched back in April featuring music by major EDM acts and performance and presentational skills developed by Cirque du Soleil. It's a fairly natural fit for all involved that relates to topics of EDM in performance but is also somewhat separate from that discussion. At the end of the day it's mostly another business opportunity in keeping with the history of Cirque du Soleil in Vegas.

I previously posted on the performance potential of live EDM shows but I'm realizing I was already behind the curve. I did know that Cirque du Soleil had already launched their shows at LIGHT back in April but, according to this piece in SPIN, an increasing range of performative elements have been introduced at EDM festivals and at Vegas shows.

LIGHT Nightclub EDC Weekend: Nicky Romero, Alesso, ZEDD & Baauer

I was recently reminded of LIGHT by a series of tweets by Wes Davenport that were a mix of appreciation and scepticism.

Honestly I have no idea what EDM fans or the industry or even the musicians "need" in terms of the music itself beyond the obvious. I don't think that's what LIGHT is about.

It's true that Vegas is becoming an epicenter of EDM shows and business gatherings but for a crowd of partying people a DJ, light show and dance floor have stood the test of time.

So though LIGHT is part of the narrative of EDM's recent growth in the States, the extremely focused efforts to cash in on that growth and Las Vegas as the perfect location for such endeavors, it's even more a part of the story of Cirque du Soleil.

LIGHT is More About Cirque du Soleil Than EDM

At this point Cirque du Soleil has an established history in Vegas, including their extended residency with the erotic show Zumanity.

They've also done high profile shows based on musical legacies such as LOVE, featuring the music of The Beatles, and The IMMORTAL World Tour, featuring Michael Jackson's music.

And they've developed a great deal of skill and experience with coordinating lights and music, aerial performers, creative movement and costuming all with little need for explicit narrative elements.

Given that EDM performers typically occupy center stage and are supplemented by light shows, that creates a relatively easy opportunity for Cirque du Soleil.

LIGHT Benefits from the Push Play Approach

With a fixed stage setting, a light show by Cirque du Soleil, lots of space above the audience for aerial work and various options for costumed creatures to work the crowd, EDM performers can be treated as interchangeable units in a long-term Cirque du Soleil nightclub residency.

To some degree, push play criticisms become irrelevant because the fact that such shows can succeed sets EDM acts up to fit into Cirque du Soleil's world quiet readily. And given the general atmosphere of Vegas, that should work pretty well for all concerned.

I want to be clear that the formulaic nature of every element, not just EDM shows, is what makes this easy mix possible. If you look at the video above and then click through to the YouTube channel for LIGHT, you'll find that every trailer contains essentially the same elements and some even contain recycled footage (e.g., of busty women dancing, big surprise) without undermining the marketing effort.

But What About the Future of EDM?

What does this mean for the future of EDM? I'm not quite sure though it is likely that we'll eventually see musical theater productions on Broadway and various dance companies using EDM in their shows just like we've seen with pretty much every other genre of music.

More:

• Are EDM Live Shows Inherently Limited or Do They Have Greater Potential?
• Deadmau5 Says 'All EDM DJS Are Button Pushers', Peter Kirn Sets Him Straight

Hypebot Senior Contributor Clyde Smith (@fluxresearch/@crowdfundingm) also blogs at Flux Research and Crowdfunding For Musicians. To suggest topics for Hypebot, contact: clyde(at)fluxresearch(dot)com.