I must say, I’ve seen Gareth Emery more times than I can count, and I’m in no way in any rush to slow down. When I saw him on the slate for this past weekend at LIV, I knew I wanted to be in the building to take in the energy, get a feel for (hopefully) some unreleased album tunes, all the while enjoying the classics. Spoiler alert: order submitted, order delivered, satisfied customer. Continue reading Gareth Emery Returns with Stunning LIV Performance
You’d have to be living under a rock to not be well in tune with the emergence of tropical house, and last week – LIV ushered in one of it’s pioneering musicians, Kygo. While the KnackForTracks crew has witnessed a wide variety of shows at the coveted Miami Beach venue, including but not limited to – hip-hop, progressive house, big room, and techno – it was well overdue we hear some fresh summer sound amidst the Fountainebleau nightclub.
Before we could break out the Hawaiian shirts, we were treated to the smooth and silky sounds of Disciples. The trio has spiked in popularity ever since their collaboration with Calvin Harris, “How Deep is Your Love,” took over the airwaves. You bet they played the hit single, but before doing so they warmed up the crowd with some really steady listens. Working in more vocals than your typical opening act – it played into the hands of the younger than usual LIV crowd. Really intrigued to see where these guys are headed in the near future – we’ll certainly all have our eyes (and ears) peeled for what is sure to be a big year for them.
Then soon emerged the evenings main attraction. Opening up with his Kyla La Grange “Cut Your Teeth” remix, the crowd was instantly hooked. Not one to speak much during performances, Kygo shouted at the start and it ignited the female spectators to shout in high-pitched unison. LIV traded in the vintage spiked ceiling decorations for summer themed inflatables, and just like that – the venue was set for a tropical evening to remember.
While Kygo’s live shows tend to primarily focus on only his music, his DJ performances are more of a total ode to the music the Norweigen talent truly appreciates. A few of which included as Urban Contact’s “Help Our Souls,” remix and the Delcroix and Delator “Faded” remix. He kicked it back old school for a good ol’ “Don’t Stop Believin'” remix from MYNGA and kept it current with a remix of The Weeknd’s “I Can’t Feel My Face” from Meljet. This night wasn’t going to be about jumping in mayhem at the drop, but instead swaying to the rhythm.
Kygo made sure to give the fans a taste of what they all have been all-too accustomed to from his Soundcloud page over the past 2 years – the remixes. Playing “Sexual Healing,” “Younger” and “Miami 82” (rightfully so), and his rather new remix Of Monsters and Men’s “Dirty Paws.”
He ended the night in strong form – with his 2 beloved originals “Firestone” and then “Stole the Show.” For the final track, vocalist Parson James jumped up on the stage to perform live! While the two played a heartfelt conservative version on The Late Late Show (with James Corben) the night before, this time around they put together a more energetic rendition. It’s always cool to see artists perform multiple versions of their music depending on a situation.
The LIV dynamic called for a lively performance, and the two delivered. It was an awesome and memorable way to end the evening, as James shouted “Miami are you ready to steal the show?!!” And steal the show they did.
*Thanks to Jona Araujo and the MMG team for making it possible for us to review the show!
**Photo credit to World RedEye Photography and LIV Miami. Visit the entire Kygo album here.
The echos of “TIESTO, TIESTO, TIESTO” were deafening at LIV Nightclub the evening of Independence day. Staff decked out the club with countless flags and elegant red, white, and blue decorations dangling from the rafters. There was no visible hangover from MMG visionary, Dave Grutman, who celebrated a birthday for the ages with Erick Morillo at Story the prior night. Resident DJ, Mednas, warmed things up with a blend of deeper house that slowly started creeping up in BPM’s to get the dance floor moving. Read More
I’ve seen countless artists over the last few years when you take into account festivals, club shows, and live showcases. The interesting thing is each setting provides something a little bit different. I learned that a few weeks ago when I witnessed Steve Angello drop an underground set at Story, just weeks after watching him play Ultra Music Festival with his uplifting progressive style. Long story short: you haven’t truly seen an artist until you’ve seen them on multiple stages, in various settings. Enter Laidback Luke, an artist who I had only seen at festivals in the past… until not long ago when he took on Miami Beach’s luxurious standout nightclub venue, LIV.
However, before LL could take on the stages the finest resident DJ I’ve ever had the pleasuring of witnessing started off the evenings festivities. There’s never a doubt in my mind once Mednas takes the stage that things are going to heat up. He can read a crowd, play off the vibes, and drop steady beats alongside big heavy hitters when the time is just right. None do it like Mednas, so it’s always a treat to get to a LIV show just a bit early to see him take on the decks!
Then once the clock hit 1:30 AM Laidback Luke emerged, palms facing inward, pointer fingers up and thumbs out – the LL hand motions were in full effect (as seen below).
He started off the night with a little Star Wars “Imperial March” gone electro, which really got the crowd off their heals from the onset. Hearing the classic instrumental over a heavier bassline gave me the goosebumps and it wasn’t even 2 AM yet… and for those not already pumped on adrenaline after hearing the Darth Vader theme, could sing along to tunes such as Bastille’s “Pompeii,” and Robin S’ classic, “Show Me Love,” edited by himself and Steve Angello. Not long after, LL played out another classic, “Zombie Nation,” giving it just the twist it needed to propel the club to a whole other level.
Laidback Luke continued on through the night with a healthy dosage of tracks, including some future house tunes from Oliver Heldens, and his very own original with Gina Turner, “Bae,” putting an emphasis on maybe the go-to word of 2015 for youth nowadays. He kept things deep with Crookers’ remix of Kid Cudi’s “Day ‘n Night,” that hit real low on the drop with those scratchy basslines and poppy notes that resonated with the hip-hop crowd and house fans alike. He then dropped Guetta’s “Ain’t a Party,” that asks the simple question… what’s a party without Laidback Luke?
LL continued partying the night away with the Miami Beach crowd playing out fan-favorites such as Major Lazer’s “Watch Out for This (Bumaye)” and that melody we all know and love from Alvaro & Mercer’s “Welcome to the Jungle Bitch.” When Lil Jon’s verse came on, things just went wild. We knew this wasn’t the last we’ hear from everyone’s favorite MC… more on that later. 
Two other crowd-pleasers were The Wknd’s “Often,” and Galantis’ smash hit “Runaway (U & I)” which both brought different yet energetic tones sweeping throughout venue. Lil Jon’s monstrous bellows returned on Laidback Luke’s infamous collab with Steve Aoki, “Turbulence.” LIV was the flight for the evening, and Laidback Luke was the pilot. Corny metaphors aside… LL led this flight on a bumpy ride of musical bliss.
Finishing the evening off as strong as he began with tracks such as Showtek and David Guetta’s “Bad” mashed into his own original steamer, “Flashing Lights,” with D.O.D. The night’s festivities came to a close on two of my favorites from the evening, Hardwell’s standalone classic, “Spaceman,” and Swedish House Mafia’s “Don’t You Worry Child.” With a solid mix of deep, uplifting, heavy and even hip-hop vibes, the night had the right recipe of sugar and spice leaving the crowd more than satisfied!
Pictured above is Mednas (left) with Laidback Luke (right)
*Thanks as always to Jona Araujo for making it possible for us to come out to these shows and review them for you all.
**Photo credit to World RedEye Photography. Visit the entire Laidback Luke album here.
ARTY @ LIV 2/25
I was incredibly thrilled to make my return to the illustrious halls of LIV, Miami Beach’s finest venue. It had been quite a while, and the return was overdue. I had missed the pure euphoria that illuminates the club from open to close. Luckily, Arty was about to remind me of all of that and then some.
Arty opened the night strong, not wasting anytime unleashing tune after tune. The crowd was immediately enamored by the active presence Arty portrayed on the stage. Any oblivious critic who questions that activity of DJ’s during live performances should come see the youngster in action. Constantly turning dials, making moves I couldn’t even begin to understand – but most certainly do my best to appreciate. The intensity reminded me of when I saw Audien last year, the stage just looked like his home. Once he played the Galantis hit single, “Runaway (U & I)” there was no turning back. The chanting of the single propelled the crowd to new heights and got the show off the ground and running. It was more packed than I had EVER seen it in the room, shoulder to shoulder people were enjoying the festivities as one. He then dropped an unknown ID remix of the hit single “Desire,” from the fresh up and coming group Years and Years. Not sure who’s remix it was, but wow is that one sure to be a big winner once released!
While starting with a very uplifting vibe, Arty transitioned to a darker and grittier tone with tracks such as Dada Life’s “Freaks Have More Fun,” which is a heavier hitting electro track. Next up is one of my favorite mashups of the previous calendar year. It takes Steve Angello’s hit single with Dimtri Vangelis and Wyman, “Payback,” and sprinkles it with Richard Bedford’s lovely vocal off the Above & Beyond classic, “Sun and Moon.” The entire crowd bellowed as one screaming, ‘never get over you’ as the drop hit! He then brought down the house with another Steve Angello single, this time with The Temper Trap, “Wasted Love.” Certainly one of my favorite songs to hear in a live setting, since the vocals are a true joy to sing along to and the production is spot on.
Arty then played out two of my favorites of his, a remix of OneRepublic’s “I Lived,” and his rendition of Porter Robinson’s “Lionhearted.” Both of which in my opinion brought forth newfound energy and feel to already really accomplished originals. His OneRepublic remix is one of my favorite remixes of 2015, all because it sounds like it belongs. Ryan Tedder’s vocals haven’t paired with anyone better since the Alesso remix of “If I Lose Myself.” 
Meanwhile, the powerful thumping synth releases from his Porter remix stand along, making the remix my favorite off the Worlds project. He then coupled Martin Garrix’s “Backlash,” instrumental with the classic Matthew Koma vocal, “Spectrum,” from the Zedd single that took EDM by storm just two summers go.
Arty then worked in some jewels. I loved how he brought back his infamous Dirty South “Walking Alone,” remix. One of his earlier works yet it still shines through and reflects a lot of his current styles. He then put together one of the finer mashups of the evening, mixing Coldplay’s hallowed single, “Sky Full of Stars,” with Dubvision’s remix of Discopolis’ “Committed to Sparkle Motion.” The Dubvision track is far and away one of my top 10 favorite remixes of all time, it’s just too good for words. Pair it with Chris Martin vocals and a ceiling illuminating in bright blue flashing lights, and you’ve got yourself your very own sky full of stars… inside LIV. Quite a spectacle!
Arty finished out the evening with some well-known vocal sing-a-longs such as “Rather Be” by Clean Bandit, and Disclosure’s “Latch.” He closed with two of his very own originals: “Up All Night,” the title song for the show itself, and with a mash of “Reload,” with his single “Grand Finale,” a catchy melodic beat that spun the show home. Arty blew us away with brilliant stage presence, great variety, and plenty to sing and dance to. The sellout crowd packed in tight, and enjoyed each and every flashing melody and thumping percussion. Can’t wait for Arty to make his way back to the 305 for Miami Music Week! The countdown to the madness is on: t-minus 3 weeks.
*Thanks as always to Jona Araujo for making it possible for us to come out to these shows and review them for you all.
**Photo credit to World RedEye Photography. Visit the entire Arty album here: http://worldredeye.com/2015/03/arty-lennox-lewis-at-liv/
This coming Saturday, Gareth Emery returns to Miami Beach to grace the decks of LIV Miami! With support from one of the best residents in the game, Mednas, Emery is sure to bring the house down featuring a plethora of tracks from his album, Drive, along with many others. We partnered up with the fine people at MMG & LIV to bring to you an exclusive giveaway that will award the winner 2 free tickets to the show along with a meet and greet with none other than Gareth Emery himself. Entering the giveaway is absolutely free, so don’t miss out on this rare opportunity to party in one of the premiere clubs in the world with one of the premiere producer/DJ’s in all of dance music.
>>> Enter Here <<<
To keep yourself entertained for the time being, check out the latest episode of Gareth Emery’s #ElectricForLife interactive radio podcast, along with his major single “Dynamite,” featuring Christina Novelli. Also be sure to visit his SoundCloud for more!
KnackForTracks.com 