Music News

deadmau5 surprise set lights up Sunset Strip Music Festival

By April MacIntyre Aug 24, 2011, 18:22 GMT

Surprise guest Canadian DJ and producer Joel Zimmerman who works under the name \'deadmau5\' EPA/WARREN TODA

The Sunset Strip lit up with great music and an energetic crowd who came in peace and left witnessing the best of new and iconic rock bands.

The fourth annual Sunser Strip Music Festival (SSMF) came to a close on Saturday, August 20, drawing 15,000 music fans to the street fest on the famed Sunset Boulevard.

Photo Credit: SSMF/James Donnelly

The day began with amazing performances on the outdoor stages from Tribal Seeds, Black Veil Brides, Cobra Starship, She Wants Revenge, The Dirty Heads, Escape The Fate, Matt & Kim, Bush and Public Enemy.

2011 SSMF honorees Mötley Crüe closed out the night with an electric set complete with fireworks, pyro and a 360° drum rollercoaster. Surprise guest deadmau5 rode alongside drummer Tommy Lee during his rotating drum solo.

Tommy Lee and deadmau5 ride the 360° rollercoaster. - Photo Credit: SSMF/James Donnelly

The three-day festival launched Thursday, August 18 with a special tribute honoring Mötley Crüe hosted by Bob Buchmann of KLOS and Kennedy of 98.7fm.  The special night featured appearances from Mötley Crüe friends Ray Manzarek of The Doors, Neil Strauss, co-author of the band’s autobiography The Dirt, comedian Dane Cook and New York Dolls vocalist David Johansen.

All shared stories and memories with the band, toasting them for their contributions to the Sunset Strip and praising them for 30 successful years of rocking. Mötley Crüe was then presented with the SSMF 2011 Elmer Valentine Award.

Thursday’s festivities continued up and down the infamous 1.6 mile stretch of street with shows from The Veronicas at The Viper Room, The Faceless at the Whisky A Go-Go, Nico Vega at The Roxy Theatre, Uriah Heep at the Key Club and Crash Kings at the House of Blues, among others.

Friday night offered up even more exciting events and performances. Virgin America presented a star-studded party at Mondrian’s Skybar. Jamie Foxx, Jerry Ferrara, Chad Michael Murray, Shenae Grimes, Amber Lancaster, DJ Ashba of Guns N’ Roses, Edi Gathegi and SSMF performers Matt & Kim and Semi Precious Weapons all partied alongside special guests Mötley Crüe. Further down The Strip, Ray Manzarek and Robby Krieger of The Doors with vocalist David Brock wowed a soldout house at the Whisky A Go-Go while Buckcherry thrilled fans at The Roxy Theatre, Dredg killed it at the Key Club and Motion City Soundtrack kicked off the first of two nights at the House of Blues. The Viper Room offered up non-stop music from Lady Sinatra, Purple Melon and Hillbilly Herald. Festival sponsor Jack Daniel’s presented free entertainment and filled the streets with music from their acoustic outdoor stage as part of the Jack Daniel’s Experience.

The 2011 SSMF marked the third year Sunset Boulevard was closed to traffic between Doheny Drive and San Vicente Boulevard. 15,000 music fans flocked to Saturday’s street fest marking the most successful SSMF to date.

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Twitter: @SSMF / @TheSunsetStrip