With his contagious energy and futuristic beats, the DJ electrified The Jungle’s stage.
The Jungle—the much-loved Somerville watering hole and community music club—was adorned with lights and bustling with music enthusiasts as dusk fell on St. Patrick’s Day. The night boasted local talent Late Night Idle, The Sleds, and headliner DJ Bookworm. DJ Bookworm is the stage name for Chad Milando, an amiable and ardent research scientist at Boston University. The crowds were buzzing with excitement for Milando’s set; his passionate demeanor exuded both on and off the stage. The musician has a highly distinctive finesse and ferocity. He proved his talent for mixing and pleasing the crowd, who fervently danced into the early hours of the morning.
The Sleds kicked off the night, playing a slick, invigorating take on The Dropkick Murphys’ “I’m Shipping Up to Boston”. Late Night Idle followed, offering smooth, crowd-pleasing covers by the likes of Green Day, Bowling for Soup, and Coldplay. The growing crowd danced and sang along while sipping their drinks—notably The Jungle’s signature cocktail of the night, a mix lovingly called “The Late Night Worm”. As Late Night Idles finished their set, Milando prepared to spin his musical narrative. A few minutes into his set, Milando had captivated the dancing crowds of The Jungle.
As the lights dimmed and the electric, colorful neon of Milando’s trippy backdrops towered over the room, the ambiance of The Jungle turned into that of a futuristic cyberpunk club. Milando began his set with a relaxed infusion of techno-house and funk beats, sprinkled with the rhythm of Bonobo and Format:B. His beats flooded the dark dance floor as he took his setlist up a notch with smooth mixes of Dave Winnel and Soul Avengerz. Milando was comfortable and ecstatic as he concocted a mesmerizing atmosphere packed with devotion to EDM, funk, techno-house, and electronica.
The DJ spun hits that transitioned seamlessly, which kept his audience engaged and in tune with him throughout the night. He closed out the show with a heart-pumping sequence, including the track “Ferrari” by James Hype, Miggy Dela Rosa, Tiësto, and The Black-Eyed Peas.
Milando’s commanding presence over his audience is enticing to watch. He mixes with ease and confidence; his natural way of maneuvering the booth is impressive and proves the inevitability of his future success.
You can stay up-to-date on DJ Bookworm’s latest shows here.