My Laptop Can Beat Up Your Laptop

Do you remember the episode of Star Trek where Spock and Kirk had to fight to the death? Sure, it had a bit of a cop-out ending, but the theme to which they fought has ingrained itself into pop culture, as has the vision of these two friends fighting in an unwinnable fight (although Spock won). So what does bringing up this extraordinarily geeky moment have to do with Seattle? Not much to be honest, but the Second Annual Laptop Battle Championship is tonight, and while there likely won't be any spears, ripped shirts, or faked deaths, the music and competition should prove to be no less thrilling.

Modeled after DJ or MC battles, the laptop battle pits two musicians against one another in three minute rounds, single elimination tournament-style, until one person emerges victorious. The Fourthcity crew has spent the last year gathering winners continent-wide, and tonight brings the culmination of those efforts. Early word is that some of the outside talent is incredible, so the locals will have to work hard to win it all in front of the home crowd.

To date, the music from the laptop battles has often favored intricate, IDMish drum patterns. More song-based compositions, while often highly regarded by the judges, didn't provide the same visceral response to the crowd. It's in that conflict that the laptop battles find their entertainment sweet spot. Over the course of the evening, both crowds and judges find themselves a bit on the rowdy side, with the mix of alcohol and fevered competition combining to create an oxymoronic controlled chaos. The sheer spectacle involved with the entire event, between the people, the music, the visuals (tonight provided by Opticlash winner Killing Frenzy), and hip-geekery make this event uniquely Seattle in nature, and if you haven't made it to one yet, you've really been missing out.

Fourthcity Laptop Battle Championships
Friday, December 9th, 2005
Chop Suey, 1325 E Madison
$8 presales $10 @ the door
Doors @ 9pm, 21+