Sunday September 2, 2012
Ezoo After Party: Jaytech, Jochen Miller, JOC and Aly & Fila
Reviewed By: Samantha Scroxton
There are many things to be celebrated every weekend in New York City. For EDM fans, however, one weekend in particular stands out. Labor Day Weekend. For the past three years, all New York EDM Lovers came together to celebrate all things life- at EZOO. More formally called Electric Zoo- presented to us all by Made Events. This past weekend, on its fourth year, EZOO has not slowed down and neither has our excitement as supporters and party goers. While the Zoo ends promptly each of its three days at 11pm, the party continues with many official after parties. This year the parties ranged from trance to techno to house to everything in between. Most trance lovers found themselves at Best Buy Theater for the majority of the weekend- as this was where Made Event chose to house the animals who were on the prowl for more vocals and melodies to go with their bass lines.
While NYC has a large list of phenomenal venues for any type of event- I happen to personally adore Best Buy Theater. Upon arrival to the venue the first thing you find is the massive 85 foot LED HD marquee, which not only displays digital but also live video. (Everyone’s Facebook accounts can now attest to the greatness of their screen- go on, deny that you took a picture and tagged everyone you know as proof that you were arriving!) The venue itself is always staffed well- every inch is covered with friendly servers, guards and people to help you find whatever it is you need. Best Buy Theater happens to have many hallways and areas apart from the very large main room- meaning each patron can enjoy a more open and free feeling even on the most packed nights. There are bars in many areas of the building which helps continue to keep the crowd moving and rarely does a partygoer ever feel like they have to wait for a drink. The sound is superior in this venue. The stage, lighting and screens are some of the largest and best maintained as well. Every single aspect of an evening spent at Best Buy Theater is covered and is perfection. Having opened in 2005, this 2100 person capacity theater is clearly run by a well educated and funded group of individuals who do not stray from the goal of giving the best shows possible.
Everything mentioned above is tantalizing enough for this music lover- but then Made Event decided to really up the ante. They created an evening of such fantastic trance dj’s that no trance lover could possibly deny. Originally announced, the evening was a headlining VS night between Aly & Fila and JOC- also known as the great Mr John O’Callaghan. I will admit they immediately had me – I was already daydreaming of this amazing night. Then, shortly later I was bluntly awoken with the update that Jaytech and Jochen Miller would be sharing the bill. They clearly planned on starting this evening at 11pm by opening the doors straight to the climax. This party, in a sense, was basically 5 hours of big room headlining trance mania. There were no intentions on slowly bringing us into the night and working our way to epicness; no this was the last party of the Zoo. The intentions here were clearly pure mayhem and every trance lover within hundreds (even thousands) of miles were ready to take action.
Jaytech opened the doors as expected right at 11pm with the deep bass lines he is known for. The energy he brings to the stage was matched jump for jump by every fan in the crowd. He dropped many expected tunes and a few IDs that still have people talking. A few of my favorites include his own Jaytech- Overdrive (2012 Remix) and Mango & Embliss- Heilegenstadt (Eleven Five Remix) and, without a doubt, his own remix of Andain- Promises. Known for only a few vocals and tons of energy this night was no side bar to the norm. And it was only the beginning.
Up next was Jochen Miller. I, personally, remember the days of desperation when thinking of this DJ. Will we ever see him in New York City? Now that Armin clearly has a new found DJ crush on the man, (I do not blame him- go find a picture of the boy!) we are all blessed with many opening acts with this fantastic DJ. With a huge smile and hand shake Mr Miller came on and took over the already blessed decks. He kept everything deep and melodic, and managed to speed it up just a bit. As expected he dropped his own tune- Zodiac- which had us all in excitement. Another personal opinion: he doesn’t belong on opening duties- and this night was one big bag of proof of my opinion. He moved along to play Porter Robinson’s tune Language (a tune that I actually came to know due to the great Jochen Miller- I give thanks). From there all hell broke loose on the stage, in the crowd, in my head and everywhere else a bass line can sneak its fantastic fangs into. The crowd was at its peak and everyone truly seemed as if they had not already been out partying for 48 straight hours. Leave it to music to energize even the most exhausted bodies and enhance even the happiest souls.
And just then it happened- right when we all forgot ourselves in the melodies. Two bald men sneaked on stage. Not much makes me smile quite as big as those shiny craniums. All jest aside- I have a huge place in my heart for team 140 as well as Aly & Fila. John O’Callaghan is most certainly one of my top five artists (DJ and Producer). Every time he is near I am certain to have an evening I will remember forever. His sets, his music, his energy and dedication are all commendable and truly inspire me as a trance lover as well as a human being. Then you have Aly & Fila, who are what’s left of a dwindling few who seem to truly respect and still love pure vocal trance. I spent most of the rest of my night in between jumping and screaming and singing (Although most people wont classify my singing as actual singing). With some of the best fans in the industry and pure happiness abounding- this night was right on target. Allowing time for each artist to own the decks and then spending some quality time together to jump with us to fantastic tunes such as Ummet Ozcan- The Box followed by Aly & Fila with Roger Shah feat. Adrina Thorpe – Perfect Love. Even in writing I have goosebumps reliving that! As the night moved along, JOC spent some time on deck then Fadi of Aly & Fila came on to say hi- they did a true versus set. Shortly into the set I was slapped in the face by a tune that I do not think I’ve had the blessing of experiencing yet- Mark Leanings vs Space Rockerz & Tania Zygar – Whatever Happened to Puzzle Piece (John O’Callaghan Mashup). Earlier I mentioned the respect I had for JOC and the enjoyment I take from each gig I get to go to- with this tune I can truly say- I just hit an all time high. It was that moment when the song was so good- the energy so high- the bass line so perfect, the melody so perfectly stitched in- that I found myself unable to move but only to breathe and smile. I looked around and found such elation in each face that I was floored. It is that moment that as a true fan and supporter, I find myself brewing with happiness and pride. This is it- this is our blessed lives and look at us enjoying it. Enjoying these precious moments because of the man on stage who, too, is just as happy to see our smiles. JOC wasn’t done impressing me, or reminding me of the beautiful little jewels he owns in his magical little box. He then threw at me his own tune John O’Callaghan & Kathryn Gallagher – Mess Of A Machine. This is one of those songs that you hear it once and you have lost the rest of your day because it is now on repeat and you can’t focus on anything else. This song stole at least five full days from me upon my first discovery of it.
You cant have representation by Aly & Fila without massive beautiful vocal trance- and so it goes we got to hear Aly & Fila feat. Jwaydan – We Control The Sunlight and Above & Beyond feat. Zoe Johnston – Good For Me. Two songs that can bring down even the toughest of hearts. The last three songs had the crowd in a state of euphoria and were pure and elite trance tunes. First we heard FKN feat. Jahala – Why (Aly & Fila Mix), then John O`Callaghan ft. Audrey Gallagher – Big Sky followed with a most fitting final song: Aly & Fila – Lost Language. If I were reading this and hadn’t been there in person, my first thought would be “no- that’s backwards- Lost Language then Big Sky! Duh.” And, I would be wrong. This was perfect placement, perfect tune selection and just a perfect night all around. This night is the epitome of why I consider myself so blessed to have found the love of trance music and all the fantastic things that come with it. From the fans to the venues to the music to the artists- we are truly a blessed group of individuals. Anyone who may have doubted that prior to entering Best Buy Theater on Sunday Sept 2, certainly left a believer.
I thank every one who had a hand in throwing this event as well as the fans and everyone in our great little trance family. I can not wait for next year!!
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