San Francisco’s annual epic Loveboat Halloween music event was held in the uber grungy yet perfectly hipster Pier 70 this past weekend. The organizers really went all out for the 10-year anniversary by adorning the warehouse with hallucinogenic art pieces, bright interactive activities and an amazing music lineup. When Mason Bates took over the main stage at 2:30 am, the hardcore crowd welcomed him with open arms and danced energetically to his music.
 
Grammy-nominated composer Mason Bates is most well-known for his incorporation of classical orchestration music with electronic dance beats. While his modest appearance might not betray his impressive experiences, Bates is currently the second-most performed living composer in the US. He has worked with the San Francisco and Chicago Symphonies, and was the first composer-in-residence of the Kennedy Center of Performing Arts. Knowing this, one might not be able to picture him at a Halloween rave, especially following the electronic dance music DJs The Polish Ambassador and Moby.
 
However, Bates is much more than just an orchestra composer. The music he produces pushes the boundaries between classical and electronic music. He creates a new sort of synergy between these two seemingly contradictory genres. Bates’ performance fit perfectly with the lineup and was totally on point. The electronic sounds layered upon classical beats felt new and refreshing; it was so easy to listen and dance to! I felt like I had been transported back to Europe with these melodically hard sounds. Looking around, the crowd definitely agreed with me. They all seemed to be grooving and having a blast in their own worlds. Overall, wonderful performance put on by Mason Bates. Be sure to check out some of his music!