When the July Flume show at 9:30 Club was announced months ago, theMUES was quick to beat the low ticket warning, buying tickets before even applying for press passes.

Back in April, before his Coachella performance, we saw an interview with this young music producer/DJ who was conquering ears of fans (and social media suggests many hearts too!) across the world. Flume’s boyish personality was charming, and his sticky music was quickly heard way beyond his Australian home — this was a show not to be missed.

We weren’t alone in our early pursuit of summer shows, as another date was added to Flume’s DC stop and quickly sold out too — yet another sign the Flume show was going to be a memorable highlight of theMUES’ July calendar.

Armed with a press pass for the Wednesday night show and our own tickets to enjoy Thursday too, we were ready to both capture and experience the DJ who already topped One Direction in Australia when his 2012 self-titled EP came out on the same day as theirs [insert tween screams here].

For those of you who had to limit themselves to one show of Aussie magic, there’s good news and bad news. The Good News: It was almost the same show both nights. The Bad News: An amazing show is still amazing, even if you know what to expect. Arguably, Flume’s music is pretty repetitive lyrically, so you probably wouldn’t have minded at all. Our lingering question: Did he play the same lineup consecutively during his 3-nights of sold out shows in NYC?

So, let’s start at the beginning. After an exceptionally long break after the opener Goldlink, patient but eager pockets of fans broke out in chants of “Flume! Flume! Flume!”, a stage tech removed the cover on what we’ve nicknamed the Flumeagon (pictured below), a six-sided shape that seems to be a strange series of wires and lights, with a mirror back, that pulses and glows along with the show. You can see it on the deluxe edition of “Flume” too. Silhouetted by a row of white lights on a dark club, Flume took the stage.

The show started with one of Flume’s most recognizable tunes, “Sleepless.” Wasting no time playing fan favorites, Flume continued with “Hyper Paradise” and the What So Not Remix of “Get Free” remix where he used more of the gear on the table, specifically the drum pad.

Mentioning his side project What So Not he also played the super jam “Touched,” which really gets the crowd moving with its funky style and bold video imagery.

The confetti at the conclusion of the remix of Lorde’s “Tennis Court” song showered the crowd, and then, as everyone sang along to “Dirt Off Your Shoulder,” they had a lot more to brush off their shoulders.

Some crowd surfing began as the steamy, sexy mix of Disclosure’s “You and Me” pulsed. Those being held up by their strongest friends were quickly brought down by 9:30 Club security team — everyone knows they are pretty strict about, well everything.

The biggest difference from the first night to the second night would have to be the balloon drop finale that happened at the end of Flume’s set Thursday. We all had eyed those pink balloons hanging above us all night, and on their grand release, people were ruthless animals! Most fans on the floor start popping those pink balloons before they could even be volleyed around the club. Now a collection of confetti, balloons, and the usual sticky, empty cans and bottles littered the scene, yet spirits were gleeful. It was like being at a messy birthday party with a killer soundtrack.

As Flume’s encore began, the line at U Street Music Hall was already down the block, reaching 11th Street.  Even a few of those pink balloons who escaped the initial balloon drop were spotted at UHall. Concert goers from both nights, and some fans who missed Flume altogether, made it over for the official after-party with Alex Young. And how fitting is that? It was just a year ago, on that same stage, Flume himself played.

We may have to share him with the rest of the world, but at least Flume shared his time with us here in D.C. a few times now, only each time exciting bigger audiences. Any predictions on the DMV venue he’s going to sell out next go-round?

article by Cristina Rayas – photos by Toby Mues