Despite the nationwide lockdown, last Saturday saw the Elsewither nightclub heaving with party-goers intent on seeing a stacked lineup boasting indie darlings Anamanaguchi and American Football. Where could a day-festival like this go ahead given the current climate? Inside the video game Minecraft of course.
In an event that brought very literal credence to the idea we’re living in a simulation, virtual space gurus Open Pit teamed up with Anamanaguchi to deliver ‘Nether Meant’, a six hour online concert in aid of Good360’s COVID-19 relief efforts. Taking place entirely in Minecraft’s subterranean ‘nether’ realm, the concert surpassed its fundraising goal raising a total of over $8,000. As a result, Open Pit have promised a follow-up event in the near future. The concert’s name is also a play on “Never Meant“, the cult emo anthem by headlining act American Football.
Hundreds of digital avatars swarmed beneath the dancefloor, hit the bar, and wandered around the cloakroom and toilets replicated from the real-life Brooklyn nightclub Elsewhere.
#NetherMeant is this Saturday!
Join us at the @americfootball house on stage at https://t.co/NtZ5emWDCj,
a 1:1 scale virtual recreation of @elsewherespace.Admission is free but donations will benefit the @Good360 Covid-19 Relief Fund.
Who are you most excited for? pic.twitter.com/AK8nGkYeVF
— Open Pit (@OpenPitPresents) April 6, 2020
Whilst the lineup was predominantly American, without the constraints of geographical convenience, the multinational roster included artists from France, Argentina, and Finland. UK Bass supergroup Gloo also provided a heady back-to-back set, with the British trio Kai Whiston, Iglooghost, and Babii melding together deranged art pop with deconstructed club.
The night culminated with cuboid figurines of the band American Football taking to the stage in a performance that blended studio recordings, live instrumentation and in keeping with the pixelated surroundings, bizarre 8-bit renditions of the songs “Never Meant” and the fittingly-titled “Stay Home“.
Watch the Twitch stream of the event below:
Watch #NetherMeant: April 11th, 5:30pm EST from OpenPit on www.twitch.tv
