I first discovered The Halluci Nation while working as a PR nerd with the Yuhaaviatam Nation of San Manuel, a tribal nation I worked at for nearly a decade. Now, if you work for a tribe, you learn a few things: fry bread tacos, which ARE awesome, are not, in any way “traditional Native food,” people will say some ignorant ass shit to you, and no two tribes are all that similar. One thing that I have seen as a recurring theme, however, is Tribes love to come together over their commonalities.
The Halluci Nation show at WOW Hall reinforced that observation.
I met some seriously cool folks, including several people from different tribes across the Western states, and a rad ass kid in full PLUR gear, clearly there to dance his tiny little ass off. It was a beautiful reminder that indigenous music, and The Halluci Nation, doesn’t just bring the beats — they build community.
If you haven’t heard The Halluci Nation, you should get on it ASAP. Think pow wow meets rave, a weird amalgamation that somehow just works. Wait, it doesn’t just work — it fucking rules.
When I heard that they would be rolling through Eugene’s historic WOW Hall, I had to be there. The night got off to a weird start with the opening act totally no-showing (thanks for NOT getting me pumped up), which left a confused crowd (and tiny raver fella) dancing around making the best of the thankfully solid house music.
But then — BOOM. The Halluci Nation stormed in like thunder with a pair of heavy-hitting tracks before unleashing “Electric Pow Wow Drum,” their signature banger. 2oolman and Bear Witness may have been staged up behind their table full of gear, but they brought a friend.
When their dancer made her entrance, cutting across the stage with fierce breakdancing moves, the crowd lost their collective shit. She left at the end of the song, but reappeared throughout the night in a series of stunning regalia (not costumes, you plebes) that are commonplace at pow wows. (If you’ve never been to one, go. They’re powerful, joyful, and often open to the public. And definitely try a frybread taco, traditional or not. You’ll thank me later.)
The Halluci Nation turned their show into a celebration of indigenous culture, but a celebration for all to take part in. One that shook the floor, raised fists, and reclaimed space for Indigenous joy and resistance while bringing the rest of us along for the ride.
