Rusko’s History of Dubstep show was one for both the old heads and the newer fan. If you’re someone who has been following dubstep since the beginning, you were transported back in time to the place you first heard it. If you’re a newer fan of the OG sound of dubstep, you were treated to a four-hour history lesson.
Summit isn’t quite an underground warehouse, but the stripped-back production gave that appearance on Saturday night. One LED screen, minimal lighting, and no lasers, no distractions, just dubstep pulsing through the sound system. Every bassline could be felt moving through the air and energizing the crowd.
The Sub.mission residents kicked things off by playing newer tracks that had that old school dubstep feel to them. Class officially began once Joe Nice took the stage. Joe is widely regarded as the first dubstep ambassador in the US. Plastician said Joe was the first person he ever sent tunes to outside of the UK. His set traced the roots, weaving 2-step, grime, breakbeat, and UKG into a seamless narrative. His mixing was technically sharp and he looked like he was having an absolute blast on stage. A masterclass delivered with genuine love for the culture.
Plastician was instrumental in shaping the OG dubstep sound. He continued the lesson by selecting his most well-known tracks alongside what were once dubplates from Digital Mystikz, Loefah, Benga, and Joker. He also weaved in some grime anthems featuring Skepta and Flowdan. It was a great representation of dubstep’s formative years straight from the source.
When Rusko took the stage, the energy went through the roof. The entire crowd was moving and singing along to the wubs of “Jehova” and “Woo Boost.” Rusko, true to form, was stomping, jumping, and chicken dancing while he dropped hit after hit for the entire hour.
This is where you could really hear dubstep start to evolve. Moving from the deep, meditative wobble into the brighter, more explosive sound that artists like Flux Pavilion and Doctor P would push forward. Then edging into the sharper, more aggressive textures that Skrillex would later launch into the mainstream. Through it all, Rusko remains the bridge between eras, still delivering with unmatched energy.
The crowd was on point all night. From the dude with the gray hair to the kid in the Illenium jersey. There was no one trying to push their way through and no mosh pits. Everyone was respectful of each other’s space and moved together, connected by the same frequencies.
This show reminded me exactly why I fell in love with dubstep when I heard Rusko’s “Pro Nails” remix for the first time. It was all about the energy, community, and the low-end pressure. Big ups to Bassrush and Sub.mission for putting this amazing show together!
