Laidback Luke Whips Crowd into Frenzy at Starlight Ballroom

Fresh off of some epic performances in Miami at Ultra Music Festival and his Mixmash Pool Party at the National Hotel, Laidback Luke rolled into Philadelphia on Thursday night to propel EDM fans into a dancing frenzy at the Starlight Ballroom.

Laidback Luke at Ultra Music Festival

Laidback Luke at Mixmash Pool Party (Miami)

The event, presented by NV Concepts, Mass EDMC, & Steez Promo, also featured opening sets by Johnny V from House of Hearts, and Oliver Twizt.

After interviewing Laidback Luke in Miami, we knew he was going to bring his full bag of tricks to Philadelphia and he did not disappoint.

The Dutch DJ is anything but laid back behind the decks and his fans respond by dancing and cheering their hearts out, chanting his name, and flashing his double-L hand signal.

He has become a fan favorite for his ability to feel out a crowd and give them exactly what they crave. As a producer, he is constantly churning out new club bangers like his recent hit “Speak Up”. You can check out the new music video for it here:

Fans began lining up before the doors even opened and a large crowd had formed by 11pm. When Oliver Twizt asked fans if they were ready for Laidback Luke just before midnight, the place went bonkers chanting “Laidback Luke! Laidback Luke!”

Oliver Twizt

For the next two hours the DJ extraordinaire played club banging tracks across a wide range of genres (from house to rock to old-school hip-hop). Just when you thought the crowd couldn’t get anymore hyped up he’d drop in a ridiculous bass line and raise the bar even more. It was just silly.

From the dancers on stage, rabid fans pressed against the photo-pit gates, and those at the back of the venue enjoying some libations, it was one big party.

The event ended at 2am and Luke came down from the stage to greet fans, shake their hands, and take some photos. It’s always nice to see a DJ who gives a little something back to the fans after a show. Classy.

You can view the full photo gallery and video from Laidback Luke’s set below:

Laidback Luke at Ultra Music Festival

Oliver Twizt

Laidback Luke at Mixmash Pool Party (Miami)

Ultra Music Festival 2012 and Miami Music Week

David Guetta

Our Miami Music Week coverage began with three parties on Thursday March 22nd including the Mix Mash pool party at the National Hotel and Above & Beyond: Group Therapy Miami.

AVICII

Friday included both the first day of Ultra Music Festival and the first day of No Sugar Added at Nikki Beach.

The weekend rounded out with two more full days of Ultra.

Skrillex

Each day of Ultra will be posted separately (just click on the links below). Our coverage will also feature video and written interviews with Big Gigantic, Laidback Luke, Chase & Status, and Bassnectar!

Day 1 of ULTRA MUSIC FESTIVAL

Day 2 of ULTRA MUSIC FESTIVAL

Day 3 of ULTRA MUSIC FESTIVAL

Above & Beyond: Group Therapy Miami

No Sugar Added at Nikki Beach (Day 1)

Mixmash Pool Party & Topless Pool Party

Green Velvet Transforms Whisper into La La Land.

House-Heads were treated to a full night of superb music on Thursday night at Whisper.

The event, presented by ROC and Element Events (with a nice assist from Decibel Records and Promotions) featured sets from locals Adrock and Robbie Tronco. In addition, there was a live performance by Miami’s Afrobeta, and a headlining set from house music legend Green Velvet.

This night was truly about the music. The opening sets were the perfect appetizer to the main course.

By the time Afrobeta took to the stage (actually the elevated VIP area behind the DJ booth) the place was already bumping. Let us simply say that Afrobeta killed it. In fact they killed it, brought it back to life, and killed it again. There is nothing quite like a well executed live performance.

Smurphio and his salt-and-pepper Afro laid down some sweet basslines intertwined with his funky synthesizer melodies. Not to be outdone, Cuci Amador (who made her entrance waiving a flag on the main floor) moved from the stage area, to the tops of speakers down below, and back again. The entire time pumping out her sharp tongued lyrics.

Speaking to Cuci after Afrobeta’s performance, she was thrilled to have had the chance to play the show and loved the energy of the crowd.

Just after midnight it was time for Green Velvet. Rocking his signature neon green mo-hawk and a pair of welder’s sunglasses, the maestro took fans on a journey to house heaven with key stops at some of his biggest hits including Shake & Pop, La La Land, and Flash.

The cameras flashed, the dancers shook and popped, and the next few hours were pure ecstasy. EDM shows are a dime a dozen these days and it really takes a special event to stand out from the rest. This is a night that we, and the rest of Philadelphia, won’t soon forget.

Check out the expanded photo gallery and some video of the event below:

12th Planet at Center of Dubstep Universe

Dubstep crazed fans packed into the Theater of the Living Arts on Saturday night for a foray into the recesses of outer space. While the venue remained stationary on the outside, those inside were taken on a  journey of aesthetic-overload courtesy of 12th Planet.

Supporting his recent “The End is Near” EP (download it here for free), the godfather of U.S. dubstep orbited into town with his “Scion A/V Presents: The End Is Near” tour.

Presented locally by Steez Promo, the event featured a bevy of intergalactic opening support from Flinch, Crizzly, and Kill The Noise.

Dubsteppers hit the floor when the doors opened at 8pm, securing spots at the front of the venue. It didn’t take long before the TLA was packed. From the stage to the upstairs VIP area, it was a tightly packed asteroid galaxy of party people.

Crizzly launched the spaceship, filling the fuel tanks with high octane crunkstep.

Flinch had his own monogrammed digital sign which lit the way (and made us a little jealous), but despite his moniker, he didn’t miss a beat. Fans didn’t flinch has he dropped hit after hit on the audience.

Up next was Kill The Noise, and ironically, towards the front end of his set, he actually did kill the noise. Hitting the mic, he asked the crowd if they were ready for some dubstep heat from his boy Feed Me. The crowd cheered, and the noise returned. By this point the musical trek had taken us past Neptune, beyond Pluto (which is no longer a planet but is still floating around out there), and past undiscovered planets.

At midnight, the shuttle landed in the middle of planet Dubstep. 12th Planet hit the stage atop a giant digital stage set up and dropped some other-worldly tunes. The place went nuts. His gravitational pull sucked everyone in…hook, line, and bass-drop.

For the next 90 minutes it was lasers, digital imagery, and mind-blowing beats. 12th Planet even encouraged ladies to sit on guys shoulders and then one-upped them by engaging in a lengthy crowd surfing ride.

Around 130am, it was time to return to Earth, where snow and ice now covered the streets and sidewalks outside. It was a celestial cruise we will not soon forget.

To view video of Kill The Noise & 12th Planet, as well as 100 additional photos,

CLICK HERE!