This past Saturday I decided to check out the Gorgon City show at Framework’s newest venue, “Reframe Studios Outdoors.” Walking into the location that sits in a tucked-away Atwater Village immediately raised the bar for outdoor venues in Los Angeles, and here’s why. Lines move quickly through security and efficiently, which then funnels you directly to the back of the venue. Very intuitively placed, you have everything you need right there — restrooms, a medical tent, and several food trucks that fill the air with tasteful smells.
Later that evening, I was able to enjoy some everything fries from their “Wing Me Up” food truck that were fairly priced for the massive portion size I received. I chowed down on salty chicken tenders and fries smothered in buffalo sauce and ranch, exactly what I needed to fuel myself for the rest of the night.
Immediately after this initial entrance area, you see ample bar space along with several activations that included major name brands such as Redbull, Don Julio, and Eargasm. At no point did I see long wait lines for any of the amenities despite it being a sold-out show.
Moving into the production and setup, everything is custom-built for each artist, all the way down to the tree placement. The music was crisp from every corner, with Framework opting to use d&b audiotechnik, a German-engineered sound system. The stage was creatively built with state-of-the-art light and laser systems. Massive stanchions were also placed throughout the whole venue that projected different visuals, making the experience feel truly immersive.
As you continue through, you see VIP placed to the left with a platform for viewing and bottle service tables behind the DJ booth and to the right. Entering VIP, you have a private bar, private bathrooms, and never once through the night did it become overcrowded or difficult to see the stage. There are plenty of places to sit and relax while still being able to jump back into the action. For an even more elevated experience, the VIP table service had a private entrance with another set of private restrooms and access to both VIP and GA areas.
Now we can talk about the crowd, one of the biggest factors for me when attending a show. Not only was it a well-curated mix, it was genuinely filled with people who wanted to dance the night away while still being respectful to their fellow concert goers. With 9,000 people in attendance and a sold-out show, you never know what to expect.
Gorgon City, the duo from London, performed such a captivating set that it kept the crowd going for their full two-hour time slot. Securing their largest attended show in the States, the pair did not disappoint. Their set ebbed and flowed while playing everything from melodic house to their hit “Voodoo.” Gorgon City kept up the momentum all the way until midnight, when the show closed to a completely full house.
I saw less phones and more people smiling, dancing and having a good time than I have in recent years. If you’re looking for a truly unique and upscale EDM concert experience, Framework has delivered, and I’m excited to see what the rest of their outdoor summer series has to bring.