John Summit’s KIA Forum Show: A Showcase of Dominance in the Electronic Dance Music Scene

From nostalgic moments to his biggest hits, John Summit left us impressed on the final night of his massive show series at the KIA Forum in Los Angeles.

This year has been another remarkable chapter for John Summit, solidifying his place in the electronic dance music scene. With standout performances at Coachella and EDC Las Vegas, alongside the release of his debut album, Comfort In Chaos, he showcased his talent throughout 2024. However, he had one last surprise for his Southern California fans: a three-night event at the KIA Forum.

John is no stranger to large venues in Los Angeles. He previously performed at Kx5’s show at the LA Memorial Coliseum and headlined a sold-out night at BMO Stadium last year. The KIA Forum served as the perfect backdrop for his latest series of sold-out performances in the City of Angels.

After the first two nights at the KIA Forum, social media erupted with videos showcasing the electrifying atmosphere and surprise moments from John’s sets. Wanting to avoid spoilers, I chose to enter the venue without any prior knowledge and hoped for the inclusion of tracks he hadn’t played at EDC Orlando just a week earlier.

Upon arriving at the KIA Forum with Destinee, we faced chilly weather. Our parking experience was quick, and we soon secured our passes and entered the venue. Unfortunately, being on the final night meant that all our desired merchandise was sold out. Instead, we decided to grab food and water before making our way to our seats.

John Summit at KIA Forum 2024 — Photo Credit: @Donslens

The floor might’ve been fun and full of energy, but the seated area of the arena was just as great.

While the packed dance floor offers an exhilarating experience, I was pleasantly surprised by how enjoyable the seated area turned out to be. There were no unexpected bumps from fellow concert-goers, restrooms and vendors were conveniently nearby, I had the option to sit down whenever I pleased, and the view from Section 203 was fantastic.

The energy in our section was infectious, as everyone seemed to be having a blast. John Summit attracts a diverse crowd, vividly displayed that night with groups of girls sporting pashminas, older ravers in comfortable attire, and others who made me question if I had stumbled into a bass show by mistake.

Although his roots lie firmly in house music, John has significantly expanded his musical repertoire over the past few years. This evolution not only defines his artistry but also enhances the versatility of his sets, a quality that others in the scene strive to replicate but often fail to achieve.

Music-wise, the night was spot on.

Unfortunately, we arrived late and missed Jenessa Acosta and Danny Avila’s opening acts. Cassian was on stage when we arrived, bringing his unique blend of indie-electronic and melodic techno, which set the tone for the evening. His use of the venue’s lighting added a dramatic flair to his performance, enhancing the impact of each drop.

A brief pause in the beats occurred after Cassian’s final track played, and the energy inside KIA Forum was palpable. It was time for the madness to begin.

As the lights flickered back on, an orchestra joined John on stage to launch the night with a powerful rendition of “Where You Are.” He immediately transitioned into tracks like Westend’s “Drum Death,” Layton Giordani’s “Act Of God,” Odd Mob’s remix of “palm of my hands,” and his remix of Green Velvet’s “Shake And Pop.”

The crowd was fully engaged, moving to every beat John dropped. It wasn’t long before he introduced some bass-heavy tracks, igniting the audience with Subtronics’ bootleg of “BACKBONE.” He then dove further into his set with hits like “Make Me Feel,” “Fade Out,” “Human,” and, of course, his remix of “Sweet Disposition” with Silver Panda, before circling back to “Gas Pedal” and other bass-driven anthems.

At this point, I checked the time and was stunned (and delighted) that we were only 45 minutes into the show. I thought the second half would be even more insane, and John proved me right.

Paige Cavell joined John on stage for a live performance of “Tears,” captivating the audience. He continued with tracks like “La Danza,” “Thin Line,” and my personal favorite, his remix of “i miss u,” which I hadn’t heard since 2022.

HAYLA’s appearance was another highlight of the night, as her powerful vocals filled the arena. The crowd sang along to “Where You Are,” creating an unforgettable moment.

John surprised everyone with a remix of the classic Delirium’s “Silence,” a rare treat he had performed only a few times since his Madison Square Garden show earlier this year. Reviving such an iconic trance track always resonates with the audience.

The closing moments of the show were nothing short of exhilarating, as Julia Church and the orchestra returned to energize the crowd with “Go Back.” Finally, HAYLA rejoined him for a powerful rendition of “Shiver,” leaving everyone on a high note.

John Summit’s show at the KIA Forum was yet another major milestone for this talented artist.

Five years ago, I experienced John Summit for the first time at a small bar in San Diego with around 200 attendees. Now, he has accomplished the incredible feat of selling out three nights at one of Los Angeles’ largest venues. While I wish I had predicted this success when I labeled him as one of our Artists to Watch in 2020, he has far surpassed my expectations.

There’s no doubt that John Summit is a leading figure in the dance music scene. With a burgeoning label, a supportive community, and a diverse range of music that captivates emotions and energizes dancefloors, it will be thrilling to see what he accomplishes next.

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