There are plenty of ways to close out a weekend of live music, but few are as satisfying as stepping into a world of rumbling bass, hypnotic visuals, and sounds that seem to come alive around you. On Saturday, October 17, Of The Trees brought that experience to Mesa Amphitheatre, turning the outdoor venue into an atmospheric playground for bass lovers. With Esseks b2b DMVU and Hamdi setting the tone, the night was a journey through the deep, dark forest of bass music.
After the very different atmosphere with Zhu the day before, the crowd’s vibe was immediately noticeable. The more subdued dark techno audience had been replaced by wooks clamoring for heavy bass, headbanging, and embracing every earth-shaking drop. Even the rain that greeted us upon arrival couldn’t dampen the energy. If anything, it felt like the perfect introduction to a night that would bring the forest to the desert.
Esseks b2b DMVU: Deep Wubs and Wook Energy
Esseks b2b DMVU opened the night, a pairing that wasted little time getting the crowd moving. Their set leaned heavily into deep wubs and kind of experimental bass music that makes you feel every vibration in your chest.
The crowd was already moving and banging from the first drop, with the energy building as more people made their way into the amphitheater. “I’m That Guy” by Sir Hass and Logan_olm was one of the tracks that set the night’s tone. The combination of deep, low-end frequencies and gritty sound design was exactly what the crowd came for.
There was a distinct sense of community in the audience, with dancers embracing the music and letting loose beneath the open sky. It was a chance to run into old friends and meet brand new ones. The rain that had started falling earlier seemed to disappear as the bass took over, leaving the crowd focused on the music rather than the weather.
The duo wrapped up their set with “Day Off” by Esseks, setting the tempo for the remainder of the night.
Hamdi: A Relentless Bass Assault
The opening set got everyone moving, but Hamdi took things to another level. From the moment he started laying down tracks, I knew this set would be unforgettable. He delivered on that promise and more, with a relentless performance that barely gave me a moment to breathe.
“Welcome To The Dubstop Shop” by TazMayn helped set the tone, with “By My Side” by Levity adding another layer to his evolving set. Hamdi’s signature approach was on full display, with powerful drops and seamless transitions keeping the energy high from start to end. “Heart & Soul” showcased his weighty bass, while DnB brought an extra burst of adrenaline. “Fear” by Quix pushed the intensity further, giving the crowd another reason to keep moving.
One of the most entertaining moments came when Hamdi remixed “Damager” by Sammy Virji with “I’ve Got The Power” by Snap! The combination demonstrated the creativity behind Hamdi’s mixing, as familiar sounds were woven into the set without interrupting its momentum. He kept the crowd guessing with “Police In Helicopter” by John Holt and “Shanka” by Hamdi.
Hamdi’s set also included moments like “I Remember” by Kaskade and deadmau5, blending emotional texture with heavy bass. Hamdi brought things to a close by mixing his “Push It” into “Free Your Mind” by Prospa. It was a wonderful finale for a set built around unexpected combinations, pulsing energy, and seamless transitions.
Of The Trees: An Immersive Journey Into the Forest
I wasn’t certain how Of The Trees could top Hamdi, but he absolutely delivered. Instead of dropping fast tracks immediately, he started slowly, introducing ethereal sounds that gradually gave way to bone-rattling bass. The progression drew the audience into his world, creating an atmosphere that felt both otherworldly and deeply connected to nature.
The production played a major role in that experience. Watching the lights and visuals transform throughout the performance brought back memories of Electric Forest, where music echoed through the trees and the environment became part of the show. The stage evolved continuously, with lights lowering and flowing into different shapes.
Two rows of illuminated orbs descended above the stage, adding depth to the visuals and making the entire setup feel more immersive. Later, lasers moved around Of The Trees to create the impression of a rotating tree, reinforcing the organic aesthetic that defines his sound.
“Brackish,” his collaboration with Tape B, was one of the night’s standout tracks. The set kept moving between earthy soundscapes and heavier, more recognizable selections, including “London Bridge x Jump Around DJ Lay” by Rain BeNz, “Love Sosa” by Finezza, and a remix of Drake’s “Knife Talk.”
A sea of phones appeared throughout the crowd as fans tried to capture the experience. Meanwhile, balloons bounced overhead and moved through the audience for nearly the entire set, adding a playful touch to an already immersive environment.
“Got Something To Say” by Alicia Kiah and Kursa brought another distinctive sound into the mix, while a collaboration song with INZO gave the audience a taste of something new. Of The Trees also delivered “Sleeping Giant” and “Acadia,” showcasing the atmospheric production and powerful low end that make his music so captivating.
Although the rain stayed away for most of the night, it returned briefly during the final hour. Rather than interrupting the experience, the light rainfall seemed to enhance the forest-like atmosphere, making the outdoor setting feel even more fitting for his performance.
The Perfect Way to Close the Weekend
Of The Trees‘ performance was more than a collection of heavy drops and impressive visuals. It was a carefully constructed journey that moved between ethereal soundscapes, experimental bass, and moments of overwhelming intensity.
With Esseks b2b DMVU bringing the deep wubs, Hamdi delivering relentless energy, and Of The Trees creating an immersive world of sound and light, the night offered something for every corner of the bass music community. A set this beautiful could only happen outdoors, and the rain, lasers, illuminated orbs, and a crowd fully invested in the experience made the evening feel special.
Some shows leave you remembering a handful of songs. Others leave you remembering how the entire experience made you feel. This was the latter. After two very different nights at Mesa Amphitheatre, Of The Trees delivered a mesmerizing finale that brought my weekend to a close in the best possible way. While this was the final stop of his Park Service tour, you can still catch him at Hulaween (FL), Freaky Deaky NOLA (LA), and EDC Orlando (FL).
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