November 14th, 2017 Flying Lotus, Seven Davis Jr., and PBDY tore up The Rivera, in 3D. Yes, 3D glasses were passed out to all the attendees and Flylo’s entire set had insane 3D visuals. If you slept on that show, I am sorry because it was just as cool as it sounds.

But the story I am about to tell that followed the show is indeed out of this world; let’s get to how it began to unfold.

So, I decided to sit up top at The Rivera for this show because I did not want to be standing in a pit while 3D graphics flew out in front of my face. While up there, I started to run into a lot of different people I knew. One of which was sitting two rows behind me, as I said hello, he asked me if I was going to East Room after for the supposed non-official Flying Lotus after-party. As far as I knew, that Tuesday was Tequila Tuesday at East Room. But a few others began to tell me he was going to play at East Room, so I was in.

After the show ended, I caught a Lyft back to Logan Square with my dear friend Darinia, who attended the concert with me. She, unfortunately, was feeling a bit under the weather so I walked her home, and luckily she lived right by East Room.

Upon walking her in, I saw a bunch of guys skateboarding in the empty parking lot next to her alley. I thought to myself, I should ask them if they like Flying Lotus and tell them about the show.  After I walked her inside and said goodbye, I decided I would say something to these guys, because why not. I believe in good karma, and good music deserves to be shared.

I had to of been at least 30 feet away when I tried to yell at these guys, “Hey do you like Flying Lotus?!” Of course, they didn’t hear me. As one decided to skate over towards me, I walked closer to him.

Rolling up, getting closer I realize it is Chicago’s very own Knox Fortune, whom had played his first solo show just the day before at Lincoln Hall. My mind starts going fully blown A.D.D. mode because I really wanted to go to that show because I saw Lido was on the bill too. But I was unable to go. Nonetheless, I still checking social media to find Lido’s performance. However, as I was checking every platform, every location tag to see posts tagged at the show, I didn’t see Lido at all. I needed to know if he played or not.

Next thing I know, I find myself saying, “Heyyy! How was your show last night, did Lido play!?” He laughed and said, “Yes, he was my drummer.” OOOh, I exclaimed, now this made sense why I didn’t see him playing his own set. Mystery solved.

I tell Knox and his friends that Flying Lotus is playing at East Room. They thank me for letting them know and tell me they’re going to Cole’s, but might stop by. I told them to have a great night and headed back into East Room.

East Room was dead in the best way possible. It was about 50 people, most from the show, and I knew at least a fourth of them, it was cool to see it like that. In the meantime, I am texting one of my best friends to get her self over to East Room.  She’s a big FlyLo fan, and we were together at Summer Set 2014, when we met Flying Lotus himself, briefly.

Soon enough, Flying Lotus appears in the bar, with no music equipment whatsoever. Some die-hard fans were waiting in front of the DJ booth for him to play. He was so sweet, not only recognized that people thought he was there to play, goes over and greets the guys to tell them he wasn’t playing.

He was making his rounds around the room saying hi to everyone. When it got to my turn, I decided to ask him what program he uses for the visuals. Steve told me that not only does he use After Effects, but he himself also did all the animation. I thought that was awesome, I have always wanted to get into animation. I have After-Effects, and I took a brief intro class, but it’s just something I never get around to. I respect the talent and the craft. I also told him that I met him with my friend Steph at Summer Set and that she was coming. He geeked out and said he remembers her. LOL

East Room was starting to pick up, maybe the word was getting out that Flying Lotus was there because it was definitely a lot of industry people. Steph finally shows up, we got to catch up. It had gotten a little later in the night, I had a drink or two. I actually did a shot with my old friend Jonny Blaze, who was working that night, I’ve known that kid since high school. Spacing out, all of sudden I notice The Social Experiment’s Peter Cottontale who played with Knox Fortune the day before at Lincoln Hall.

Forgetting I saw Knox earlier, I go up to Pete and say, “Hey! You played yesterday, how was the show, did Lido play with you guys?!” He looks at me with a grin and goes, “You just asked Knox this! I was with just with him at Cole’s. Can I take a picture with you?”

Stunned I tell you, shooketh. Couldn’t even process that entirely, as I said ya sure, and he whips out his iPhone and takes a selfie with me. LOL. Thanks me and laughs, as I tell him I totally forgot I saw Knox. I told him to have a good night and walk off to find Steph.

I find the high-top she’s standing at and go, you won’t even believe what just happened to me. Before I can get into it, Steve comes back around and recognizes her and begins to say hello. I remember that I wanted a picture of us together, so we took this, and Steve kept insisting Steph had to be in it. Lol.

After all the shenanigans, it was hitting 1 am (say it an ilovemakonnen voice with me) on a Tuesday. Steph and I decided to call it a night and go home. I am grateful someone told me to go East Room that night, and that I am thankful I showed up. Still wishing to this day, that I could see the selfie that Peter sent of the two of us. Maybe one day it will surface.