Machine Girl Electrifies the Mosh Pit at Big Night Live
Graphic by Sofia Giarrusso
by izzie claudio
On Saturday, November 2, Machine Girl played their second tour date at Big Night Live. They released their new album MG Ultra less than a month ago and are already on the road with a killer setlist. They’re touring with a variety of openers that all align with their loud and explosive energy. At their Boston show, Kill Alters and Snõõper kicked off the night. Sadly, I missed both of their sets. However, I’ve listened to Snõõper and their music is so much fun. They live in a fast BPM and employ a unique combination of punk and electronic energy, much like Machine Girl. They definitely got the crowd ready for the main event because as soon as I opened the big double doors that led into the space, I was greeted with an energetic crowd unable to stand still. Big Night Live is a small venue, but it’s built for dancing, so it was the ideal layout for a drum and bass group that knows how to command an audience.
I found a space on the outskirts of the pit, struggling to find a path to the ocean of action near the stage. As soon as I planted my feet, I couldn’t keep them still. Machine Girl took to the stage and started the show with their 2017 track, “...Because I’m Young Arrogant and Hate Everything You Stand For.” The light build-up and their iconic “Machine Girl” tagline played out, and as soon as the beat dropped, the crowd went wild. Matt Stephenson, who started Machine Girl in 2012, screamed into the mic, his impressive tone awakening feral energy in the crowd below.
The reverb on his microphone was perfect, elevating his vocals to match the explosive energy of the instrumentals. As he sang, he leaned over to a drum machine that stood to his side and started playing around with all the knobs. Behind him, the drummer and electric guitarist shredded rhythms, bringing the authentic drum and bass sound to the forefront. Playing those drum beats and guitar riffs live is impressive, as Machine Girl’s BPM usually lives in the 160-180 range. Every element on song was brought to life. It was exhilarating to hear the tracks that I had only heard blasted through my headphones in a live setting.
They continued with a setlist full of new songs and peppered in some classics and deep cuts from their past albums. I moved at least one part of my body the entire show; it was impossible to stay still while I was hypnotized by their fast rhythms. Near me, I spotted a smaller mosh pit starting. I rushed over and began pushing those in the pit and let them push me back just as hard. I floated around the space with no fear of bumping into the other bodies flying around.
When you go to a Machine Girl show, you go to move. You go to let your steps be dictated by the motion of others. Physics keeps everyone on the brink of falling; every action has its equal opposite reaction. But, you don’t fall. You hold up the person that was launched into you. The pit looks unsafe from afar, but if the etiquette is good, you will be safe. I exchanged smiles with those around me, we laughed and cheered as we pushed each other back and forth. We swayed together, we sweat together. Mosh pits are a space of trust and physical contact is a way to release the immense energy generated by the show.
My bones were shaking with the bass, I inhaled Machine Girl’s addictive sound. Stephenson impressively switched between his signature screamed lyrics and an almost death metal growl that lived deep in his throat. He jumped around the stage, matching the energy of the crowd. He looked people right in their eyes and sang to them. He wasn’t afraid to point to someone and scream his lyrics with passion and excitement. The energy continued to build and the main mosh pit was never still. It looked like a sea constantly in motion, moving back and forth like tides ebbing and flowing.
At one point, Stephenson disappeared from the stage, but I was so lost in the lights and music I didn’t notice. Then, I felt a body brush behind me, leaving a sweat stain on my arm. I quickly turned to see Stephenson crouching behind me to get to a raised partition that separated the main pit from the rest of the venue. He appeared right in front of me continuing his song and walking along the partition to find new faces to sing to. It was exhilarating to look right up at him; I could feel the heat and energy emanating from his body. He turned to the main pit below him, everyone looking up with a mixture of shock and excitement. Soon, he took a breath and dived right into the sea of hands, certain that those below would catch him. He surfed his way back to the stage still singing as he was carried along by the tide. I was still reeling that he brushed against me. His sweat touched mine and that truly completes the Machine Girl audience experience.
He played crowd favorites “Ionic Funk (20XXX Battle Music),” “Xleepy,” and “Athoth A Go!! Go!!” which continued to rile up the crowd. You didn’t have to know the lyrics or the structure of the songs to have a good time. As long as you let go, move with those around, and accept that you’re going to exchange sweat with many people, you are sure to have a great time.
The energy of Machine Girl is apparent in his performance, the sounds shine even brighter. Stephenson has a lot of fun onstage and it’s clear he loves what he does and the music he creates. He had a blast with his drum machine and made sure to give the crowd an experience they’ll never forget. The energy never dropped and the strobe lighting made the experience all the more stimulating. As the crowd filed out of Big Night Live, panting and covered in the sweat of others, the energy was electric. We all let Machine Girl course through our veins and we left with the heat of drum and bass radiating from our skin.