Hundreds of nu-disco and house fans set sail on synth waves in the Diego Bay this past week. All aboard for the third installment of Goldroom’s High Seas Boat Tour; dance fans were in for an unforgettable experience.
Goldroom
For the past three years, Los Angeles-based songwriter and electronic musician, Goldroom, has been curating this unique tour, a synergistic product of his love for the ocean and music. It’s no coincidence that prior to his career in music, Josh Legg, pursued a sailing degree at USC and now produces songs inspired by the expansive feels of the ocean, accented with serene melodies and the sun-kissed vibe of the West Coast. Luckily, local powerhouse event producers, FNGRS CRSSD, knew just the right venue for Goldroom’s San Diego stop. Located across the way from Waterfront Park, the home of CRSSD Festival, fans loaded up on the Adventure Hornblower cruise ship, boasting 3 stories of space to enjoy the day in sun or shade. Upon arrival, Goldroom walked the boat, openly talking to fans about the origins of the High Seas Boat Tour, it’s recent Festival edition in San Francisco, as well as the unforgettable experience of filming a music video at Yacht Week in Croatia.
Meanwhile on the top deck, the talent took the bow, beginning with Eau Claire, followed by Le Youth. Le Youth, less commonly known as Wes James, took a deep dive right out of the gate, serving up the moody but lyrical “Fractures” and “Skin & Bones” by This Never Happened label boss Lane 8. After fully stoking the fire on the dance floor, Goldroom joined him behind the decks to enjoy as special moment as the two friends from LA basked in the happiness that surrounded.
Cruising around the bay in the sunshine, groovers enjoyed the summer vibes Goldroom was exuding like “I Can Feel It”, the dreamy “You’re Incredible” and then broke into a full on singalong during the artist’s beloved song “Embrace.” Friends and lovers roamed the boat to take in the views of the San Diego skyline, capture photos of carefree moments with the wind blowing in their hair, or refreshed with a cold one in the cabin. Passing by the iconic aircraft carrier, the Midway, Goldroom queued up a fitting remix of CHVRCHES’ “Leave a Trace” as the crowd clapped to the lyrics and sang “Take care to leave a trace of a man”.
With golden hour upon us “Silhouette” steamed through the speakers and Goldroom playfully interacted with the crowd by cutting the levels intermittently during the chorus, allowing singing fans’ voices shine. Next up, the Massachusetts native played SG Lewis’s jazzy disco-house track, “Aura”. As we sailed under the Coronado Bridge, the piano flourished and the crowd engaged in a truly special feeling moment – one of appreciation for the joy that music brings, the gorgeous city we inhabit and the pleasure of boating on summer’s day. Nearing the end of our voyage he dropped Oliver’s tune, “Last Forever”, and the falsetto vocals reiterated what many aboard must have been thinking, “Make this night last forever”. Fleetwood Mac & The Talking Heads’ “Once in a Lifetime” even made it into the mix while in route to the shore. Prior to docking, he played his one of his best known songs, “Fifteen” – the happiest of nostalgic songs, and foreshadowing of how we might feel one-day looking back on this very experience.
San Diego Bay
In the closing moments we shared together Goldroom took the mic to share that the song-to-come was written in response to the 2016-2017 political climate in the USA, while also acknowledging the week’s record number of mass shootings. He then urged the crowd to continue to foster positivity and inclusiveness before dropping the ultra-radiant tune “Spread Love” – a glimmering note to see us off as we returned to the city.
Photos by: Rachel Frank
Review by: Kate Ammerman