’Harlem Shake’ is what most people associate with Baauer. The name alone instantly leads to images of various animals, men in women’s clothing, colourful wigs, soldiers in sex costumes, or whatever other 30 second video incarnation you've happen to have seen of the smash viral hit. But after wiggling along to his concert at Roskilde Festival's Apollo stage, it is clear there is much more to this 24-year-old American.
Even without half-naked women, or even a particularly impressing stage show, Baauer had the Roskilde crowd rocking. The DJ played some pretty hot remixes of Snoop Dogg’s (err, I guess that would be Snoop Lion now) ‘Drop It Like It’s Hot’, Michel Teló’s ‘Ai Se Eu Te Pego’ and Benny Benassi’s ‘Satisfaction’. Baauer brought his selections back to life with new beats and new energy. And of course he obliged with a high-energy – although way too short – ‘Harlem Shake’.
The audience definitely got what they came for, and their hands were in the air for the full hour. The energy also spilled over into mosh pits that resulted in a few wild and unlucky guests having to hobble away with a mate steering them towards the brave and much-needed first-aiders.
Still, nothing stopped Baauer from delivering a sweaty good time, and a loud and crazy concert that even had the can collectors showing off their moves at the very back of the concert. As for this reviewer, the young Brooklyner gave me a great show worth all the jumping and yelling that is sure to cost me my voice tomorrow.
