The Goldroom High Seas Tour Experience & Why Minneapolis Needs It

So get this, there’s this artist that goes by the name of Goldroom. He is known for playing music that is excellent for sailing, going so far as to claim that he makes music exactly for that. (He’s right) His beats have a distinctive low-key house arrangement that also gives you a sense of vastness, much like the sailing the ocean. And his tour does exactly the same thing. What do I mean by that? This concert took place on a boat, and no it wasn’t like the KDWB booze cruise where the DJ played whatever. This wasn’t a one-off like some boat cruises festivals. This was an entire tour across the country where each and every stop took place on a boat.

This meant boats of all shapes and sizes, with some concerts taking place on small riverboats like the stop in Washington DC, which took place on a modest riverboat to a giant ex-casino boat that had enough space to fit two entire stages for both a day and night concert. Minnesota’s closest stop was the Anita Dee II in Chicago, a rather large three-deck yacht that was by far the largest boat in the waters outside of Chicago that day. So, I packed my bags and drove 6 hours to Chicago (fuck tolls) and rounded up my closest friends in Chicago and made arrangements to board the Anita Dee II.

It started like any other day concert, brunch, one too many mimosas, and a quick uber ride to the venue. However, this time it was the marina. A long line was already forming outside the Antia Dee II, it was clear that this was going to be a popular event. In fact, demand was so high, that an after party was scheduled on the roof of the Virgin hotel for those that couldn’t make it and those who couldn’t get enough.

After some time in line, it was time to cross the plank and mosey our way to the upper deck, where we found an absolutely packed deck. It was shoulder to shoulder and it was clear the party had begun even before anyone had taken the DJ stand. This boat had a full bar and was sponsored by Monaco vodka, which we can’t get in the Twin Cities. And for now, maybe that’s a good thing, that stuff was El Diablo. Especially, the mixer cans that had two shots worth of alcohol, and tasted like candy. The buzz snuck up on you like a freight train.

The Opening act was French Horn Rebellion. A delightfully different electronic act that featured, you guessed it, French Horn. Now, I’m not sure if anyone pays attention to the instrumentation of a lot of these bands, but French Horn is definitely something that is not often seen in anything outside of band and orchestral work. I considered it a very serious instrument until I saw Robert Perlick-Molinari walk out into the crowd and absolutely crush a solo on his bright pink French Horn. It was the most hype, I have ever seen a crowd get for a French Horn solo, but there’s a first for everything right? I later put two and two together with the name of the band, French Horn Rebellion is a rebellion against the classical setting that a French Horn is supposed to be in and represent. After that set concluded it was time for the man of the hour, Goldroom.

The show pulled no punches starting right off the bat with some of his work off his most recent studio album “West of West.” His most popular tracks dominated the set, with songs like “Silhouette”, “Till Sunrise” and Fifteen all making appearances during his set. His remix of CHVRCHES’s “Leave A Trace” also made an appearance alongside other tracks outside his discography like “House Party” by the Knocks and “Aura” by SG Lewis.

The crowd was energetic throughout, sharing drinks and buying more for Goldroom as the set went. It was a full on party, and a way more intimate of a concert setting than I expected for a party of on a large yacht. However, I’ve always held that something about drinking and partying on a boat, specifically, changes the atmosphere drastically. This was a much looser concert than I was used to, and with the wind blowing through my hair, the sun warming my skin and the fantastic backdrop of Chicago in the background, it was truly top-notch fun from start to finish. I couldn’t get enough. Everyone was purely elated, there wasn’t a single sour person in the entire crowd.

In fact, with every passing song, it seemed like the crowd was more into it than before. The energy was non stop, which was impressive for an entire four hours at sea. Boats were passing by wondering what the commotion was, and we even got tailed by a few boats that wanted to be part of the party. It was the boat party that you dreamed of being on, for a few hours, we were the cream of the crop on Lake Michigan, and we didn’t need to spend a million dollars on our own boat, we just borrowed someone else’s.

Even after the boat party was all done, a few hours later it started again at the Virgin hotel downtown. The after party was located on the 26^th-floor rooftop and was another amazing environment to experience the music. Though I’d say a little less novel than the boat, most definitely swanky as all hell, with the iconic buildings of downtown Chicago flanking you on all sides. It was the posh atmosphere you expected out of a rooftop party, without the usual dumb posh requirements. I just wore what I was wearing on the boat, the party never stops.

Overall, this party was a blast from start to finish, it was a whole day of memories that made the trip to Chicago 100{a43c2147d37bcf8b898f59ebaaf066dc60bd9fbfc7430ae40ed3f9adbaab469e} worth it. However, I’m hoping to not have to make the trip to the Windy City next time. We have a perfectly fine lake here in Lake Minnetonka, and plenty of large boats to accommodate a new far north stop on the High Seas tour. Hell, we could even pull the show into Big Island and turn the whole thing into a massive flotilla party. Or utilize one of the river boats to cause a hoopla down by the stone-arch bridge. The possibilities go as far as the water will take us.

I’m hoping that over the new few months we can garner enough interest to bring this unique concert experience to the Twin Cities. It was one of my highlights of 2018, a year full of them already. Minneapolis is always in need of new unique experiences, and this one was an unforgettable one. I’ll definitely be on the next one, Minneapolis or not.