Reaction NYE Will Bring In The New Year With Bass

By Robert Martin in Arts & Entertainment on Oct 3, 2014 3:35PM

New Year's Eve in Chicago would not be complete without a speaker blowing event from EDM booking giant React Presents. The company with an ear for the future has brought everyone from dubstep pioneer Rusko to electro-pop star Zedd to ring in the new year at what we’re sure are unsafe volumes. Get your earplugs ready, because this year will be no exception.

Dubbed REACTion New Year's Eve, the event brings Toronto duo Zeds Dead to the Aragon Ballroom for a two night run Dec. 30 and 31. React can’t get enough of these guys and have booked them well over five times in the past four years, most recently at North Coast Music Festival in August. The repetitive booking has never failed to bring huge crowds thanks to the duo’s unique ability to explore most every pocket of dance music.

A set from Zeds Dead can go from hip-hop to dubstep to ambient bliss before you know what hit you. Every EP in their repertoire has brought further experimentation in this regard. It’s a treat to see any DJ attempt to spin each of these styles in a single set, and even more impressive knowing they are capable of making all of them too.

Perhaps the most exciting part of Reaction New Year's Eve is what has yet to be announced. React has a steady track record of bringing supporting artists to these shows who are one hit away from exploding. Porter Robinson’s run in 2012 saw an opening set from Hardwell, who would go on to headline the dance music mecca of Ultra Music Festival. No names have been attached to the show yet, but we’re betting these additions will sweeten the deal more than just a little bit.

Tickets for the shows go on sale at noon, leaving just enough time for a coffee break beforehand.