At the intersection of music and pop culture, mashups and mixes have become a staple that is difficult to ignore. Despite its popularity, few have emerged from the sea of Soundcloud artists to create a strong brand and fanbase for themselves capable of consistently selling out major venues.
Enter Two Friends, the dynamic duo comprising Eli Sones and Matthew Halper, masters of crafting uplifting beats and seamless mashups, well known for their Big Bootie Mix series. Currently embarked on their Planet Two Friends Tour, they recently made a stop at DC’s Echostage, captivating the audience and sending the night into memorable euphoria.
Moments before Two Friends graced the stage on June 23, darkness enveloped the room, and a covered table was dramatically unveiled. An illuminated UFO-style spaceship materialized, ready to transport the audience to the realm of Planet Two Friends.
The following set was a whirlwind as the duo presented their own unique Big Bootie Mix, tailor-made for the extraterrestrial journey to Planet Two Friends, complete with mesmerizing smoke cannons, confetti, and lasers. Throughout their set, Two Friends utilized the canvas of their memorable mix to integrate in their own original tracks, like “Looking At You” and “Emily.”
Watch Two Friends (featuring James Delaney) perform “Emily” in an acoustic performance on YouTube:
Their range was awe-inspiring, blending hits like “Clarity,” “Mr. Brightside,” “Dog Days Are Over,” “Scotty Doesn’t Know,” and “Congratulations” along with their own original tracks. The duo kept the energy soaring with crowd favorites including “Teenage Dirtbag,” “No Type,” and “Party And Bullshit.” The setlist gave every long-time Big Bootie Mix fan something to recite in unison at different points of the set.
As the set drew to a close, Two Friends selected a lucky fan to join them onstage for an entertaining “contest.” The chosen fan valiantly attempted to shoot a ball through a tiny hoop while blindfolded. The screen behind the duo cheekily proclaimed, “They’re going to miss. Go crazy anyway.”
As expected, the crowd erupted in wild excitement even when the shot missed its mark. Two Friends set out for one final track, culminating in an unforgettable performance of “Stacy’s Mom” that saw the entire crowd belting out the lyrics at the top of their lungs. With the journey complete, it was time to bid farewell to Planet Two Friends, as we returned to Earth, grateful for the exhilarating abduction that exceeded our wildest expectations.
Here are some photos of Two Friends performing at Echostage on June 23, 2023. All pictures copyright and courtesy of Graeme Jackson.
