When the Music Isn’t the Problem—The Crowd Is
- Ashley Katz
- Apr 17
- 2 min read
Hobbies are good. They can be healthy habits that stimulate both the mind and body. Some people join book clubs or bowling leagues. Others pick up crocheting or knitting.
My passion is dancing.
It hits both my mind and body.
It's how I cope with my anxiety and depression.
My first show was Pickle in August 2024. It was ridiculous—in the best way. Pickle outfits, pickle buttons… just silly, goofy fun.
Since then, I’ve been to 49 shows at 45 East. Fifty shows in 18 months. That’s a lot.
Some of my favorites:
Grabbitz
Effin
Wuki
Kill Safari
Sickick
WonkyWilla
SoDown
Sidepiece
But I stopped going to 45 East.
Not because of the music—because of the people.
The bullying.
The taunting.
The harassment.
Sometimes even assault.
It was constant.
So I found a new spot—Realm PDX.
Bigger venue. Better energy. More space to exist.
I’ve been to three shows there so far: Know Good, Showtek, and tonight—Röyksopp.
Before I get into Röyksopp, there’s something important about how I experience shows:
I don’t listen to the artist beforehand. At all.
All 53 shows I’ve been to? I went in completely blind.
No expectations.
No bias.
Just the experience as it is.
Because expectations—good or bad—change everything.
But sometimes…no expectations aren’t enough.
Sometimes you actually have to like the music.
And Röyksopp just wasn’t it for me.
They’re a European electronic group—trance, synth-pop, house—formed in the late ’90s. Not bad.
Just not what I connect with. I lean more toward deep dubstep.
The crowd was different too.
I’m in my 30s, and I’m usually one of the older people at these shows.
Not this time.
I was one of the youngest.
And honestly? That changed everything.
For once, no one was making fun of me.
No one was recording me.
No weird little groups whispering and laughing.
I wasn’t invisible—but I wasn’t a target either.
I could just… dance.
That part was nice.
But the energy?
Low.
During the opener, Sappho, people barely moved—just subtle swaying.
Even during the headliner, the crowd stayed restrained.
I’m used to being one of the most intense dancers in the room.
Tonight?
Even I felt out of place.
And honestly, thank goodness I didn’t dress how I usually do.
Normally it’s a fishnet bodysuit, booty shorts, pasties, cat tail—the whole thing.
If I had shown up like that tonight, it would’ve been painfully obvious.
Everyone else?
Normal clothes.
Completely normal.
I would’ve stood out like a red square in a sea of blue circles.
I’m not trying to trash the artist.
The music had moments—melodic, even soothing.
But the vibe just wasn’t there for me.
Maybe it was the crowd.
Maybe the sound.
Maybe it just felt like music from a different era.
I don’t know.
But next time?
Yeah… I’ll still drop it low and shake my ass anyway.
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