Low End Theory

Low End Theory was a weekly experimental hip hop and electronic music club night that took place every Wednesday from 2006 to 2018 at The Airliner in Lincoln Heights, Los Angeles, California.[2]

This article is about a club. For the A Tribe Called Quest album, see The Low End Theory.
Low End Theory
Address2419 North Broadway
LocationLincoln Heights, Los Angeles, California
TypeMusic venue
Genre(s)Alternative hip hop,[1] electronic
Website
www.lowendtheoryclub.com

History

"The Low End Theory" is the second studio album by American hip hop group A Tribe Called Quest, released on September 24, 1991, by Jive Records. The music venue Low End Theory was founded in 2006 by producer and Alpha Pup Records label head Daddy Kev. As the "epicenter"[3] of L.A.'s instrumental hip hop scene, Low End Theory has become one of the most influential venues for the 'beat music' genre. Long-time resident DJs include Daddy Kev, The Gaslamp Killer, Nobody, and D-Styles.[4]

"L.A.'s monolithic weekly showcase for uncut beat-driven tracks"[5] has been a launchpad for the success of prolific electronic artists such as The Glitch Mob, Daedelus, Nosaj Thing and Flying Lotus, who describes the club's humble beginnings as a sort of "producer's lounge".[6] The club night "showcases the links between classic Los Angeles rap and the fractured jazz of Eric Dolphy but also demonstrates how artists are using dazzling instrument technologies to upend both of those traditions".[7]

Low End Theory has garnered much attention after multiple performances by Thom Yorke, who played for the normal price of ten dollars. "If tickets were left to auction online, they'd bring in enough to fund a state Senate campaign".[8] As described by August Brown of the L.A. Times "Low End Theory showcases the links between classic Los Angeles rap and the fractured jazz of Eric Dolphy but also demonstrates how artists are using dazzling instrument technologies to upend both of those traditions. It offers a lesson on how, with the right kind of business savvy, performers and entrepreneurs can turn a profit releasing new music digitally by capitalizing on an Internet culture in which that music instantly goes viral."

In 2014, The First Low End Theory Festival was Held at the Echoplex in Los Angeles. The First Festivals Lineup Included The Internet, Invisibl Skratch Piklz, Nosaj Thing, Baths, Daedelus, Teebs, Jonwayne, Knxwledge, Ras G, Dntl, Dibiase, Mono/Poly, House Shoes, Kamasi Washington, Anderson Paak, Matthewdavid, Elos, Astronautica, along with residents Daddy Kev, Dj Nobody, D Styles, Gaslamp Killer, and Nocando.[9]

The monthly Low End Theory Podcast began in 2009 and features mixes from a resident DJ and one guest DJ. Since its inception, Low End Theory has expanded to Japan, San Francisco, New York City, and Europe, performing quarterly in Japan and every now and again in the latter three.[10][11]

Closure

The final Low End Theory show occurred on August 8, 2018.[12]

References
  1. Bassford, Clay (August 31, 2014). "On the Rise: What's Up in the Los Angeles Music Scene > Low End Theory". Complex. Retrieved July 10, 2015.
  2. Roberts, Randall. "The end of an era: Low End Theory's bittersweet closing caps a year of soul-searching". latimes.com. Retrieved 2018-09-20.
  3. Abdullah. "The Next Best Thing to Being At Low End Theory, Los Angeles". MTV Iggy.
  4. "SCV visits the infamous Low End Theory". Sound Colour Vibration. August 5, 2011.
  5. Krimper, Michael (12 August 2009). "Sound of vertigo". San Francisco Bay Guardian. Retrieved 16 May 2011.
  6. Tewksbury, Drew (10 May 2010). "Flying Lotus: 'Beat Music' And The Coltrane Family Tradition". NPR. Retrieved 17 May 2011.
  7. Brown, August (9 October 2009). "Low End Theory: High-concept music". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved 10 May 2011.
  8. Weiss, Jeff (5 May 2011). "Live: Thom Yorke and Flying Lotus perform surprise DJ set at Low End Theory Tradition". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved 2 Aug 2011.
  9. na, na. "LOW END THEORY FEST ticket sales". spaceland. spacelandpresents.com.
  10. Jackson, Glenn (17 October 2010). "Low End Theory Expands to San Francisco". XLR8R. Archived from the original on 24 December 2011. Retrieved 2 August 2011.
  11. Low End Theory Website
  12. "Los Angeles' Low End Theory announces its closure". Mixmag. Retrieved 2018-07-10.

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