Kream Catapult into 2025 at Prysm Nightclub - Chicago

Whoa! I cannot believe how insanely quick this year has passed us by. I feel like just a second ago I was blasting KREAM in my apartment, getting ready for their show at the Concord Music Hall during a cold, frigid February night in Chicago. That night catapulted me into a sequence of thoughts about my direction in live music coverage. I obviously missed it immensely, but also couldn’t help but notice that the EDM scene has vastly changed since my prime. Nevertheless, as soon as I was ready to head for the door, I encountered a girl who can be easily described as “the rave mom”. She was beautiful, but most importantly she was kind and unequivocally exhibited the good ol’ mantra of PLUR. Peace, Love, Unity and Respect…Something I was certain we’ve lost, but no…through the Liquid Lab visuals, deep house basslines, groovy and catchy rhythms complimented by some of the most chilling vocals, the power of PLUR was not omnipresent. We still had it.

That night, there was an awakening…a rebirth, a total revival of my love for attending live shows, live music and connecting with the people that by and large share the same brain as me. Clearly, our neuro patterns as it relates to music are deeply succinct because how else can you explain a collective of house heads singing in unison to music that is misunderstood by the public at large? My love affair with house music started relatively young and it has remained fully in-tact as the glow of the strobe lights, the sheer beam of colorful lasers and neon-futuristic visuals were captivating.

Color me surprised when I closed out 2024 with KREAM at Prysm Nightclub in Chicago December 28th. It was like the Norwegian duo was telling me…”Whoa, you made it! We made it out of it together! Cheers!” as they set the stage and filled the room with their atmospheric, high energy and unique sound.

Introduced by their opener, Deux Saints, who perfectly complemented their sound, I was enamored by the openers’ blend of ethereal electronic and dreamy soundscapes. Although this had been my first time being acquainted with Deux Saints’ music, it felt deeply personal, organic, fusing a blend of beats with instruments and lush synths. I had the privilege of literally standing two feet from the stage, right where I belong and where my heart feels the most full, with the bass consuming all of me all at once.

The two music styles when combined together balance out the danceability with the emotional tug of it all. I was not about to cry at the club, but I would be lying if I didn’t say I was close to it. KREAM’s basslines and production get us going on the dance floor, while Deux Saints brought us into a dreamy, picturesque feel. It was a dynamic combination with songs like “So Hi” “Water” a remix of John Summit's “In Another World” and a remix of Kings of Leon “Sex on Fire”.

The thumping of the bass caused a ripple effect inside of my chest and I loved every single drop. I couldn’t help but wonder, how am I doing this sober?

And then, of course, duh. Their music alone gets me so high, but when coupled together, I’m transported into a melodic interlude, a perfect harmony between rhythm and mood and a universe that only the four walls of a dance club can understand. It has been quite the year and I am so honored to have saluted the last of it with one of my favorite house duos.

For more groovy tunes and a chance to dance in the new year, check out KREAM's setlist below: