From Yes! Weekly, a Tried-area publication, one writer’s picks for the event happening Halloween weekend:
KILLER MIKE — FRIDAY, 7:30 P.M. AT THE ORANGE PEEL
Many words have been written in this space about the hulking Atlanta emcee Killer Mike, but fortunately opportunities continue to present themselves. Killer Mike is simply a rapper who needs to be heard, even if those he speaks directly to likely never will. He’s the (large) embodiment of a disenchanted and disenfranchised consciousness who would just as soon pitch real daggers at the establishment alongside the lyrical ones. His gregarious sense of humor doesn’t always come through in virulent hooks like “I’m glad Reagan’s dead” from his outstanding album RAP Music, but his live shows are a different story. With his wife behind him pouring out cups of spiked purple Flavor Aid, Mike delivers his propaganda with a slizzard smile. He has a good time and wills his audience to do the same, but if you don’t come out a little angrier than when you went in, you weren’t listening.
MORTON SUBOTNIK — FRIDAY, 8:15 P.M. AT DIANA WORTHAM THEATRE
Only at Moogfest could the trippiest performance of the weekend come from a grandfatherly composer unearthed from academia. Last year, it was minimalist godfather Terry Riley. This year, it’s Morton Subotnick, the man who unwittingly gave birth to house and modern music 45 years ago when he created Silver Apples of the Moon on something called simply an “electronic music machine.” Since then, his work has been of the distinctly avant-garde nature, i.e. a certain degree of tolerance is required. While there’s zero chance that anyone will jump out of their seat at the Diana Wortham Theatre and dance as he spins his decades of work (even through possibly the first-ever beat drop), this is one of the events that sets Moogfest apart from your gardenvariety electronic festival.