For months now, I have been hyped to join Troy “Datsik” Beetles as he tours with his brand new bangin’ stage set up, The Shogun. This is a dub lovers futuristic take on the historical Japanese style cottage, with LED panels reflecting bright colors and fun images. To go along with Datsik’s awesome new Sensei EP, he shares his take on the Shogun ruler’s traditional ninji outfit and bad ass LED hat to match.

After seeing the teaser, I was hooked. In fact, after hearing about Datsik for the first time in my life, I was hooked. I caught him out at Red Rocks during the spring of 2016 for Global Dub Fest and I was beyond ready to catch him in my hometown with my peeps.

Now, the internet is full of judgmental people, and maybe I shouldn’t choose to surround myself with that, but here I am, scrolling through Facebook. In the closed Facebook group Datsik’s Ninja Squad, I see so much love and hype for this artist. Videos of the stage itself, videos of the crowd, and awesome stories of their evening with The Shogun. Then, I see some negativity or apprehension about going. For instance, when he went to Chicago two nights in a row, some Facebook posters were commenting that he played the same set or even a prerecorded set for both nights and all stops in the future. I have a bone to pick with these people. After seeing multiple videos of the introduction where he plays the song dropping the line “What Up Ninjas?” I imagined it would be similar when he played at the Midland in Kansas City. You know what? It was the exact same, but being there in person is so f*cking hype. It is so cool not watching through a tiny phone screen with Facebook buffer, but watching it with your eyes in real life and the vibes that go along with it; it is the most nuts thing ever.

So, here is my proposition for people that see comments or questions “should I go to this concert?” or "I heard it was a prerecorded set." First, it is embarrassing to surmise that these professional DJs play a prerecorded set, but also, just go to the concert. Whoever the DJ is, go because, I guarantee it will be better than hanging out at someone’s house, drinking with 8 dudes only to wait for all the girls you texted to never show up.