- High & Tight is one of Seattle's best parties. It's an event series with an emphasis on curation and immersive experiences, and it takes an old-school approach to throwing raves. The address for its fifth birthday party was only available to members subscribed to a newsletter—there wasn't even a Facebook event—and the tickets were printed on thick, holographic paper that felt a bit like the golden ticket from Charlie & The Chocolate Factory. Everything, from the lighting installations like the ominous red "H + T" sign that greeted partygoers walking into the main hall, to the printed signs in the bathroom that said "the dance floor already misses you," was executed with effort and thought.
For its fifth birthday, High & Tight took over a new warehouse space in a tucked-away industrial neighbourhood of Seattle and hosted Matrixxman and Mike Servito. Shipping palettes flanked the bar, and a staff break room functioned as a smoking lounge. The soundsystem was crystal clear and the dance floor was a good size, full enough to feel busy without getting too sweaty or crowded.
The High & Tight residents began the party with a big-room-leaning selection of techno, before 214—a Washington state local—started a blistering live set of his own electro-flavoured tunes. The sequencing of the night was admittedly odd, with 214 ripping right into it before Matrixxman laid down a techno set to make way for Servito, who is traditionally more house-oriented. But it worked well: 214 set a high energy tone, while Matrixxman and Servito played off each other to pull out their best. Matrixxman's set dipped in and out of techno padded by more melodic sections and, best of all, a storming industrial section. Servito went completely savage, pushing High & Tight until 7 AM, past its mandated end time. He played a set that felt tough even for a DJ that's known for his taste in frenzied acid house.
With the music on point, a top-notch venue decked out with everything you could possibly hope for (and a bouncy castle, because why not), High & Tight was a reminder of how the classic warehouse party could still be a fun and meaningful endeavour. It was big enough that you could wander around and explore and still hear the music, but far-flung enough to feel like an adventure. And, perhaps most importantly, it had a diverse and welcoming crowd of friends and a truly communal vibe. There's currently a similar blend of positive energy and fantastic music powering an underground dance music renaissance in Seattle as a whole. The city is becoming one of the most exciting places for small gatherings like this, and High & Tight is a perfect example of what makes the scene special.