HONEY SOUNDSYSTEM at Barbara Hall Park as part of Pride, Sunday, July 3. Rating: NNNN
It took a bit of wandering around Green Space Festival’s Disco Disco party in Barbara Hall Park before you realized the DJs were hidden on a raised platform above the stage, similar to disco-era DJ booths. The setup encouraged the Pride crowd to dance with each other instead of staring at the stage, and it put the focus more on the music coming from the speakers than rock star theatrics.
San Francisco’s Honey Soundsystem collective took to the decks in the early evening, and the headliners’ shift in sound was immediately apparent. Rather than the lush and soulful classics that most disco specialists favour, Honey Soundsystem’s Josh Cheon and Robert Yang (along with Jason Kendig and Jacob Sperber, who were absent) have built their names exploring the quirkier aspects of that era, dipping deep into the synth-heavy styles of Hi-NRG, Italo, new wave, cosmic disco, acid house and even some 80s electro.
Having a couple DJs take turns made for an eclectic set, and the constantly shifting vibe helped sell some of their less accessible sounds to the sweaty dance floor. Looking around the sprawling outdoor party, you could see pockets of the crowd going nuts for certain styles, while others reacted more to other tangents. Their set may have been low on anthems, but it provided a unique spin on queer club history that went deeper than expected at a large, free Pride party.
benjaminb@nowtoronto.com | @benjaminboles
