Nina Kraviz, Jeff Mills, Nicolas Lutz, Francesco Del Garda, Gabrielle Kwarteng, Peach, Marcel Dettmann, Gigi FM, DJ Hell, and Polygonia

For the most part, the electronic dance music movement has been predominantly male, or at least that is the case with the current leak into mainstream EDM. However, if you take the time to listen to Russian DJ/producer and singer Nina Kraviz, you will find a whole new perspective of electronic dance music.

Due to the nature of the music that she makes, Nina plays mostly clubs and raves. This translates to a large crowd looking to get their dance on, and Nina makes sure to deliver the proper music for this. In her leather jacket she looks like a badass, and carries herself so that everyone knows that she is just as good as anyone else is, even though she is debatably better. The meticulous movements of her hands to time everything so flawlessly is a wonder to watch, as the people around her, watching her intently, probably agree with. There are absolutely no interruptions because she tackles the transitions between songs as if they were nothing. She takes moments to listen to the music, then you can see her feel and analyze how she will make the next movement. Watching her is like watching an artist paint a complete picture from just a small amount of paint.

The audience is extremely excited for Jeff Mills to take to the stage. This DJ has gained quite a CV over the years that he has been in the music scene, with over twenty-five albums to his stage name “The Wizard”. It’s quite a spectacle to see this man perform live, and this congregation this evening is completely aware. What he can do with three decks and a drum machine is pretty spectacular.
Walking out to the helm of his setup, he receives a huge amount of applause, bringing the house down as he launches into a slew of the best work from his latest album “The Chronicles of Possible Words”, a highly anticipated album of 2013. The atmosphere is seriously wild with not one person not dancing. “Solar System Context” has some very catchy moments, with large hooks that reel the listeners in, and then release them with the largest drop imaginable. The drops of this set have recurring theme with their minimalistic charm. It sounds as though there is a bass drum playing four to the floor with what sounds like a cowbell playing an “off beat cuban rhythm”, whatever it is, it’s working!

Seeing Marcel Dettmann perform live was somewhat surreal. He’s, in my opinion, one of the top electronic dance music DJs around at the moment, and as he plays frequently in one of the hardest clubs to gain entry to in the world, it’s difficult to get the chance to see him play! When I finally had the chance to see Dettmann perform, the atmosphere was electric, and of course the venue was incredible.

The support DJ was great, but when Dettmann came to the stage, everyone erupted into applause, and as the techno music started booming out, and everyone was dancing like crazy, his energy translating immediately into the crowd. His futuristic compositions are original and catchy, and even people who hadn’t heard the music before were totally into the dancing and singing along.

He played a great selection of tracks from his albums, remixes, and actual improvised tracks on the spot which were incredible to see live. His endeavours to produce music that’s not been previously created takes the audience into the unknown realms of electronic music and they kinds of sounds that can be created. Every moment was incredibly exciting, and his talent really shone through all night.