Dada Life performing at Bill Graham Civic Auditorium in San Francisco, CA on March 10, 2017. Photo: Tawni Kuhn.

Dada Life
'The Compound: Evolved'
w/ Arty, LOUDPVCK, ARMNHMR
Bill Graham Civic Auditorium
San Francisco, CA
March 10, 2017

Photos and Review by: Tawni Kuhn

Phone poised high in the selfie position, ready to record, a enthusiastic show-goer began a spirited chant. "Dada! Dada! Dada!" Like moths to a flame, people huddled around the stranger to join him in the brief celebration, banana-clad and excited. In fact, if there were a prize awarding the most banana costumes in one place, a Dada Life show would take the world record. Certainly, these giddy, banana fans live up to one of the group's mantras: Arrive Beautiful, Leave Ugly.

Enter The Compound: Evolved, an expansion of Dada Land's previous experiential event. A place where you are welcomed, and initiated into the Dada lifestyle. Complete with a pair of "immigration officers", who coax you over and ask a series of inquiries, including "What does PLUR stand for?" (hint: it's not Peace, Love, Unity, Respect) and "What kind of foods shouldn't you eat before a gig?"

If you are a fan of the duo, this is far from a trick, but simply The Rules of Dada. Once your background check is complete, you are presented with a button from the Dept. of Immigration. Welcome to Dada Land. There are no rules, but the rules of Dada.

Of course, a button is not the only goodie that can be discovered. Overtly friendly, and yet incognito Dada staff members scattered themselves about the venue and were handing their banana brethren fortune cookies (and, apparently, a golden banana, albeit I am not sure how you are bestowed this award). Inside the cookie, a Dada rule: "Art should be loud as fuck".

Their art, and entrance, was loud. As fuck.

Preluding an epic entrance, a deep rumble reverberated throughout the space. Shaking, deep down to your organs—This was a 'WAKE UP' moment! Dada is going to blow your mind with confetti cannons and champagne. Prepare yourselves!

Immersion in Dada culture is unavoidable, but definitely welcome. Their performance solidified the night's previous experiences. In a cult-like fashion, paper "smile masks" were distributed to ravers in encouragement to their commitment in their world of Happy Music. There's even a transitional segment in their set that "hypnotizes" the crowd. In a final hurrah, pillows are tossed into eager hands, encouraging a pillow fight that promotes "Happy Violence". Really, I can't imagine a pillow fight that has a cooler soundtrack. Dada Life had me at Beastie Boys remix. You gotta fight for your right. TO PARTY.

When exiting The Compound, you will be drowning in sweat, champagne, feathers, streamers, and ugliness. Dada's goal: achieved. Let's toast to more immersive events, and let Dada Life be your guides to Happy Music.

10/10 would banana again.