Mercury Soul Is Caught in the Act

SFCV Staff on March 1, 2017

Mercury Soul brought its Baroque & Beats evening to San Francisco’s DNA Lounge to show their fans the wilder side of Baroque music. Tightly interwoven with DJ sets Justin Reed and Masonic (Mason Bates), the musicians performed masterworks as part of a gorgeous, multimedia-infused concert bringing together the worlds of classical music and EDM/electronica.

Conductor Chad Goodman led members of the Philharmonia Baroque in works by Vivaldi, Uccellini, and Falconieri. Elevate Ensemble played some more Vivaldi and two works by Samuel Schedit. The San Francisco Conservatory of Music’s Baroque Ensemble performed living composer Christopher Theofanidis’ Baroque-inspired Muse, some Bach, and little more Vivaldi for good measure.

SFCV was there to capture the fun and excitement with images. All photographs by Lindsay E. Gilkerson, a freelance photographer and undergraduate biology student at UC Berkeley. For bookings and other inquiries, contact her by email

DJ Justin Reed

The first DJ to perform at Mercury Soul’s Baroque and Beats, DJ Justin Reed warms up the stage with a house set incorporating classical instrumental tunes. 

Philharmonia Baroque Chamber Players

With five live musicians, the Philharmonia Baroque Chamber jumped into the electronic flow to perform classical works. 

Lowell Dance Company

Following the live classical performance, DJ Justin Reed wove in electronic music to support the Lowell Dance Company, a group of high school dancers. 

Oakland School for the Arts Chamber Orchestra

On a smaller stage off to the side, the Oakland School of the Arts Chamber Orchestra collaborated with the Elevate Ensemble.

Elevate Ensemble

Mirroring the Oakland School of the Arts Chamber Orchestra, the professional ensemble literally elevated the crowd in an uplifting performance incorporating more funky house.

San Francisco Conservatory of Music Baroque Ensemble

The intense music of San Francisco Conservatory of Music Baroque Ensemble paired with a fog machine and soft neon lights modernized the performance. After a wave of electronic music, the group performed a few strictly classical pieces. Then a high school duo performed a hip pop duet during the Baroque Ensemble’s performance and invited some of the audience members onto the floor.

DJ Masonic (Mason Bates)

With a love of both techno and classical, DJ Masonic yearns to bring together two contrasting groups of music enthusiasts for a monthly performance.

Don’t miss Mercury Soul’s upcoming California Mystics program, April 28, 9p.m. at the DNA Lounge. They will be celebrating the revolutionary music of California composers Steve Reich, Harry Partch, LaMonte Young, and Zoe Keating. They will also have some special guests from the playa of Burning Man joining in for the post-concert party! More info TBA.