New York and Maryland native DJ Syd did much more than make waves with her Boston debut downstairs at the Cantab—rather, she set her audience awash in an ocean of eclectic and driving rhythms that followers of the Clear The Floor Boston collective will not soon forget.
Softly bathed in crimson LEDs and patterns of lasers bouncing across the audience, the downstairs of the Cantab was primed for the captivating hooks and shifts that characterize Syd’s sound. There wasn’t a motionless body in the crowd as Syd leapt effortlessly from the catchy chorus lines and chants of current hits to driving bass lines to jangling and varied percussion. In the best way, there was no telling where Syd’s set was going next, which only made the electrifying energy of the audience’s experience more alluring.
The venue was packed to capacity with people itching to dive into Syd’s artistry; captivating as her mixes are, Syd herself couldn’t help but bounce along with the rhythm of the club (all the while maintaining a sense of calm that just further demonstrated her sureness as an artist). The movement of the crowd characterized one of the biggest successes an artist can accomplish: creating a whole new world within the experience of their music. With an almost supernatural, undying energy, audience members cheered, chanted, and grooved like nobody’s business throughout the night.
Syd was notably supported by two Boston-based DJs: Oral Allergy and Maddog. Oral Allergy opened the night with her characteristic blend of international rhythms, sourcing some of her catchiest beats from Middle Eastern and Latin American traditions. Oral Allergy’s smooth synths, peppered by irresistible hooks, ensured that the energy in the club was high far before Syd graced the stage. Fairly new to the Boston scene, Oral Allergy is an innovative up-and-comer to keep an eye on.
Maddog closed out the night with her characteristically upbeat mixes that kept the club energized far into the night. Relying more on hyperpop-esque melodies and barer bass than her two counterparts, Maddog’s sound served as a more clubby contrast that rounded out the other performances with dynamic and intoxicating musical maneuvers.
Each of these femme-aligned and BIPOC artists was brought together by Clear The Floor, a “BIPOC centered & run rave collective.” The values that the collective promotes of diversity and community through music were embodied by the artists and audience alike. This night of magnetic music was a stellar example of all that the collective sets out to do, and, of course, of the undeniable talent and energy that the artists it attracts bring to the Boston community.