I went to my first DJ concert on Sept. 19 at The Sylvee in Madison, Wisconsin, to see Shaquille O'Neal, the basketball legend turned musician who makes music under the stage name DJ Diesel. It was unlike any other concert I'd ever been to, and the music and atmosphere will stick with me for a lifetime.
As soon as I walked inside the venue, the energy was tremendous. One of the best parts of the night was finding out about the artists that played before DJ Diesel. There were four: Rated R, Celo, C.A.M and Z E L. It's easy to ignore opening acts, but in this case, each DJ had their own flair and vibe. Their sets made people excited for the main act and were also great performances on their own. It seemed like the event was meticulously planned to show off the depth and variety of the electronic music scene, offering the audience more than simply a warmup.
The usage of special effects and images was another big highlight of the night. The LED screens and lighting systems showed varied animations that matched the mood of the music every time a DJ came on stage. These visuals were not only imaginative, but they also made the audience feel like they were in each song. The effects, along with the thumping bass and rhythms, made the whole place feel alive. The lights, sounds and movement made it easy to get lost in the music, and everyone danced and flowed with it, which made the audience feel like one.
The crowd went wild when DJ Diesel finally came on stage. He played a tremendous performance that kept the enthusiasm up the whole time, showing that, basketball career aside, he is a great DJ on his own.
An unforgettable surprise happened during his set when DJ Diesel brought the Wisconsin Badgers men's basketball team on stage. The crowd went wild when they saw them, linking the event not only to music but also to Madison's robust sports culture. It grew even more personal for me when one of the players threw his shirt into the crowd, and I was able to catch it. I didn't get his name, but that shirt is now a unique memento from the night.
Overall, going to DJ Diesel's concert was an event I will never forget. It was better than I thought it would be for my first DJ concert. The night seemed exceptional because of the great opening acts, the amazing special effects, O'Neal's larger-than-life excitement and the Badger basketball team's surprise arrival.
