Big Gigantic just wrapped up their Touch the Sky tour, that included Manic Focus, Paper Diamond, and The Floozies, as well as a few dates with Bassnectar and Skrillex. They stopped through the Midwest, and our photographer Zak Littrell captured some fiery shots at The Pageant in St. Louis, while I hit up the Canopy Club in Urbana, IL to soak in the experience. The verdict? Revigorating energy and kickass production. A real saxy good time.

Manic Focus (aka John McCarten) was getting things flowing as I entered the venue. The walls on the right and left side of the venue are a giant forest mural, filled with leaves and animals. Our tribe fit right into the jungle as the madness increased. Manic Focus got freaky with some dirty, soulful bass intertwined with hip hop and sultry vocals. He was joined by Big Gigantic’s Dominic Lalli for their recently released collab, a single off of Manic’s new album, “Cerebral Eclipse.”

The Big G duo has risen to large humongous status since they first started releasing tracks six years ago. They have adopted a bit of a heavier edge to their sound, but they always maintain that soulful balance, as well as still producing some mellower songs that stay close to their roots.

The Boulder natives have no doubt gained such popularity due to releasing their music for free and for delivering high quality live performances that keep their fanbase coming back time and again. True to their name, their musical performances continue to be over the top. I hadn’t seen them in awhile, so their blend of beats, live sax, and drums was music to my ears. Ha…get it? Forgive me; I’m cheesy. But the G’s instrumental electronica with occasional hip hop hop was the perfect dance party that fine fall evening.

Their area was set up so each member (drummer Jeremy Salken and saxophonist/producer Lalli) had half of the stage, with LED lights in front of and behind them and light beams shooting towards the sky and the crowd. Although drum pads and kits can provide a stellar sound, there’s nothing quite like have a live drummer/percussionist. And Salken’s boisterous, high-octane drumming complements their sets wonderfully. Every time my eyes focused on either of the musicians, they were just wailing away up there, completely vibing off the energy from the crowd as they raged for more. We were all in it together.

Some powerful remixes included “I Need a Dollar” by Aloe Blacc, “I Can’t Stop” by Flux Pavilion, and “Swing” by Savage.There was a lot of love in the air when they played crowd fave “Sky High” right into some syncopated reggae riff, then exploded in dirty, grimy fun. They also busted out “Touch the Sky,” one of the top tracks off their latest release “The Night is Young.” The rendition was rowdy and high energy as can be, with flirty sax rifs…but of course.

The venue’s air had metamorphosized to vapor, the atmosphere hanging thick as the beat roared on and no one could stop dancing. Then the music was over and us jungle animals were released into the crisp night air, into the wild where we belong. Til we meet again.

Up next on their plate? Hitting up the Mad Decent Boat Party, a cruise with Diplo’s record label and friends, followed by Decadence in Denver for New Years, alongside Bassnectar, Disclosure, Flux Pavilion, and Grizmatik.

Photos by Zak Littrell.