Lasers, Wubs, & Intergalactic Love: Presented by Zeds Dead
This past weekend, Zeds Dead sold out their headlining show at Rawhide Event Center in Arizona for their Return To The Spectrum Of Intergalactic Happiness tour. I was lucky enough to be there to experience it, and once again, Zeds Dead did not disappoint! Rawhide quickly transformed into an epicenter of bass-heavy beats and electrifying energy as Zeds Dead took the stage for an unforgettable night with support from Don Jamal, Sippy, TRUTH, and Tape B.
Rawhide always provides a certain rustic charm and versatile event space, and this time the show was held inside the barn. We made our way through security and into VIP and took pictures in front of this little swirly backdrop, and then decided to scope out a few different spots to see where we wanted to stay for most of the night. We headed over to the right side of the stage, and it was a bit hot in there and felt pretty stuffy. We then quickly moved to the left side because we saw it had more openings and air flow, and it was definitely cooler on the left, so we stayed there for the night. Hopefully, this was one of the last shows of the summer that will be held inside the barn because it’s just getting too hot. Thankfully, all the good music helped to distract us from the heat and kept us vibing all night.
Besides Zeds Dead, Tape B was my other favorite set. He played right before Zeds Dead, and his deep, atmospheric basslines helped build the anticipation for their set. He’s typically known for his fusion of old-school dubstep vibes with modern bass sounds, so his set immediately grabbed the crowd’s attention. His style bridges the gap between nostalgic wubs and crisp, forward-thinking sound design, and it was clear from the start that the crowd wasn’t just warming up, they were locked in. People were dancing hard, heads were nodding, and phones were up recording every gritty drop. I ran in to my coworker during this set, and we had the absolute best time dancing and jumping around together. My favorite parts were when he remixed “Mellow Man” by distinctive motive, and “Outside” by Ellie Goulding and Calvin Harris.
Then it was time for Zeds Dead, and of course, they delivered an insane set that felt like a full-on journey. They opened with a deep, cinematic intro- playing their song “Light” to kick things off and create that nostalgic feel, sending waves of excitement through the crowd. They also played their classic bangers like “Stars Tonight” and “Collapse,” which of course never fails to have everyone’s energy at an ultimate high. But they didn’t just lean on old favorites, they brought unreleased heat and newer remixes that kept things fresh. Every transition felt intentional, and every drop hit with precision.
Visually, the show was stunning. They had a bunch of small TV screens to play into their album cover and the whole vibe of the tour. As smoke cannons blasted, strobes flashed, and you were surrounded by a sea of lasers, it really created that full-blown audiovisual experience. It was like stepping into another world. You could feel the bass in your chest while being mesmerized by what was right in front of you.
What’s always special about a Zeds Dead show is the connection they have with the crowd. It’s not just about big drops or flawless mixing, it’s about the vibe. Their passion for music shines through, and you can tell they genuinely love what they do. From beginning to end, starting with awesome openers, Tape B throwing down early fire, and Zeds Dead closing with pure magic- the night was a basshead’s dream. I’m so glad I was there to witness yet another amazing Zeds Dead show, and I can’t wait for the many more times that they’ll deliver pure bliss, nostalgia, and euphoria.