The level of production value that went into Label Project‘s preparation for The Blaze performing at Volkswagen Arena (Saturday 29 January, 2022) is still on my mind several days later. This might be an odd main takeaway from a live music performance, but I daresay it’s a common one for those who were in attendance. The entire affair, culminating in a standout performance from The Blaze into the late hours of the night, was a memorable and evocative experience that will have garnered openers Erez Öztürk and Avangart Tabldot many new fans, cemented loyalty from those of us there for the headliners, and certainly been a standout statement for Label Project as being among the very best event organizers in Turkey.
For those unaware, The Blaze are the Paris-based music and video electronic duo, composed of cousins Guillaume and Jonathan Alric, that since the late 2010s have been steadily gaining international fandom through the release of visually stunning music videos paired with a signature sound best suited for live performances and moving dancefloors. They boast a rather prestigious record of performances at some of the world’s most renowned music festivals, and have performed in Istanbul twice before, once at One Love 15 in 2019 and again last year at Küçükçiftlik Park. Both of said performances were of course solid showings, but it would appear that The Blaze have been hard at work on their live show in the downtime, and it is more than fair to say they showcased a new level on this occasion.
The night started smoothly, with queues moving quickly to enter Volkswagen Arena’s modern, cleverly designed facilities. Although probably in the minority opinion, I am always relieved when an indoor area actually enforces their non-smoking requirement. Rather, there was a designated outside area for those that wanted to smoke, as well as plenty of rentable lockers and a coat-check to store one’s belongings safely. The immediate area outside the concert space had plenty of places to buy food and drink, in addition to those on the inside, so queues never felt long or unreasonable at any point throughout, while prices were on par with what you’d find at most nice venues in the city. For an additional considerate touch, there were noticeably unique outfits on sale as well in a sort of fashion area in the center. This might have struck me as strange, but I’d be lying if I didn’t say I wasn’t stunned by how fashionable and stylish much of the attendance was, so it did indeed make sense.
Entering the arena itself, it’s impossible to not immediately notice the vibe they were going for. Large palm trees and a fairly massive DJ booth lined the front of what was essentially the backstage area, while general admission gathered below and filled the rest of the concert hall. While I am one to normally tut at backstage tickets being sold separately, in this case it did very much feel like it suited the aesthetic and was likely worth it for those in search of that particular experience. Three enormous screens served as the backdrop to the backstage area, showcasing visuals most frequently complementing the tropical feel set forth by the looming trees, as well as some that were likely from the performers themselves.
We arrived early enough in the evening to catch the buzz from Erez Öztürk on an audience that clearly was in it for the long haul. By the time Avangart Tabldot took stage, things were in full effect and there was enough of an energetic crowd to get lost in the music. While there’s often a sense of waiting for the opening acts to finish, it didn’t really have that feel in this case. Instead, everyone seemed happy to indulge in what was an offering of different musical stylings that kept the mood lively and upbeat.
That said, by the time The Blaze made their presence known, the crowd was open armed and ready for the main event. It was immediate from the start that of their three Istanbul appearances, this was the venue best suited to their strengths. The visuals were a mix of new footage and classic scenes from their immensely popular music videos, and served as a rich background behind a backstage crowd emitting a contagious energy. The venue’s ability to properly have it otherwise be dark except for the visual effects was a nice change from the previous outdoor showings.
Most importantly, as previously mentioned, it felt as though The Blaze had grown substantially in their talents as live performers. Their latest performance saw them showcasing their strong library, but regularly diverging from the standard formats of the songs, sprinkling them in to new music or other samples that were being played, building up to long stretches of the actual song that had it feel much more rewarding. They also seemed happy to borrow from their own influences and artists they admire, looping in samples to great effect for fans who would often recognize the homage. At one point, Notorious B.I.G. was sampled (from ‘Suicidal Thoughts’) for several minutes and I have to say as a fan of hip-hop, it was the highlight of the performance for this reviewer. All their beloved tracks, such as Territory and Virile made their appearances, but were carefully given room to breathe. It was ultimately a long and thoughtful set, reflecting an evolution that can’t help but get a fan excited for their future arc.
Clearly Label Project put a great deal of effort into this event and it’s safe to say their dedication is being rewarded, as they continually generate buzz with each event announcement and have established themselves firmly in the country’s music landscape. It was an expertly organized production and I genuinely look forward to what’s next from them. As a special treat, they invited attendees to one of the city’s most popular late-night destinations in Suma Han after the show, with ticket holders getting a 50% discount on entry. So, that is indeed where our adventures next took us on this evening, topping off a memorable night of electronic music from some of the best around.
To keep up with Label Project’s future events, be sure to follow them on their Instagram.
Images sourced via the organizer.
