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Trance Room
Once again, this year’s trance room is filled to the brim with the international titans of the genre, as well as popular locals and extremely promising up and comers.
21.00 – 22.00 Mike McCarthy
Styles: Trance
One track he’ll most definitely play: Meridian – Pressure (Solid Stone Remix)
Fun Fact: He’s a fan of the Washington Redskins.
Booking Grade: B-
I’ve seen Mike play at BeachClub and at the Imperial Room, and I was pleasantly surprised both times. One of the sets was opener; the other a closer, so I can attest to his understanding of set construction based on a specific time slot. He seems quite deserving of a spot at this year’s charade, so I suppose my hat goes off to Playground.
22.00 – 00.00 Project Offset
Styles: Trance, Progressive House
One track they’ll most definitely play: Ummet Ozcan – Here & Now (Original Mix)
Fun Fact: Their radio show, “Crowd Control,” is named after Canada’s leading retractable belt stanchion and wall mounted barrier specialist.
Booking Grade: B-
Van & Nick have been Offset for nearly as long as they’ve been best friends. During that time, they’ve managed to secure a residency at Circus, they’ve built memorable sets (such as their Odyssey 2013 performance) and they’ve christened friend of the blog Rob Naylor’s new track with it’s first club play. Needless to say, these guys are two of our favorite locals.
00.00 – 02.00 Cosmic Gate w/ special guest Emma Hewitt
Styles: Trance
One track they’ll most definitely play: Cosmic Gate & Cary Brothers vs Porter Robinson & Mat Zo – Wake Your Mind Easy (first 4 minutes of the recording below)
Live @ A State of Trance 600 Kuala Lumpur - 15.03.2013 by CosmicGateOfficial
Fun Fact: Nic Chagall is really tall.
Booking Grade: A
Cosmic Gate will go down as one of the best duos in electronic music history. Joining them this year is Emma Hewitt, who is pretty easy on the eyes. That’s taking audio visuals to a whole other level, well done Playground.
02.00 – 05.00 Armin van Buuren
Styles: Trance
One track he’ll most definitely play: Armin van Buuren – This Is What it Feels Like ft. Trevor Guthrie (W&W Remix)
Fun Fact: He studied law in University.
Booking Grade: A+
Do I really need to explain why it’s a good thing that Playground booked Armin van Buuren? The world’s number 1 DJ holds that position for a reason.
05.00 – 08.00 New World Punx, or Markus Schulz b2b Ferry Corsten
Styles: Trance
One track they’ll most definitely play: Markus Schulz & Ferry Corsten – Stella (Original Mix)
Fun Fact: NWP is also New World Pasta, my all-time favorite pasta maker.
Booking Grade: A+
Justin’s Bal en Blanc 19 Spotlight artist: New World Punx
I’ve heard of producers coming up with new artist names to designate a collaborative partnership, but never have I seen DJs do the same for live performances.
New World Punx. Honestly, I hate the cutesy ‘x’ they replaced the proper plural of ‘punks’ with. Grammatical mischief aside, this alliance is one of grandeur. Both of these men having been part of Bal en Blanc for the past few years, Ferry Corsten and Markus Schulz know exactly how to entrance Montrealers. Individually, they are both beasts behind the decks and I can only imagine what kind of originality will emerge when the subtle difference in their styles intertwine in their back to back set.
08.00 – 10.00 W&W
Styles: Trance
One track they’ll most definitely play: Zedd ft. Foxes – Clarity (W&W Bootleg)
Fun Fact: If you listen to “The Code” backwards, you can hear AC/DC reciting the Lord’s Prayer.
Booking Grade: A
Fred’s Bal en Blanc 19 Spotlight Artist: W&W
For you trance music lovers, ravers, and all of that good stuff, the trance room this year will be quite entertaining. There is one thing that I don’t like and that I have to admit: the set list is extremely similar to last year’s and I’m a guy who loves hearing new artists every year, so it would’ve been a little disappointing for me, but hey, last year’s set list was nuts, so it’s not too bad. The only great addition this year is, in my opinion, W&W. Never mind the hate that their Mexico set received during the early stages of ASOT 600. I promise this will be a million times better live. Make sure you DO NOT miss their set, everyone I know that has seen them live told me they were fucking amazing.
10.00 – 12.00 Andrew Rayel
Styles: Trance
One track he’ll most definitely play: Markus Schulz & Armin van Buuren – The Expedition (Andrew Rayel Remix)
Fun Fact: Ferry Corsten called him the best DJ from Moldova. Name another DJ from Moldova.
Booking Grade: A
Nikhil’s Bal en Blanc 19 Spotlight Artist: Andrew Rayel
I must say, when the lineup for the trance room was released months ago, I was filled with excitement, and in all honesty, who wouldn’t? For God sakes, when you put AvB, W&W (debatable amongst pure trance aficionados), Cosmic Gate, Markus Schulz with Ferry Corsten, and Andrew Rayel in the same room, there is something for everyone.
Personally, if I was to show up, shall we just say that I would be getting a good night sleep, for Andrew Rayel is getting on at 10:00 in the morning. Another option would be to pop a molly; let’s go with that, bring on the sweat, and pure ecstasy. With all the noise he has made this year, as well as the anthemic tonality of his releases, I can hardly imagine how awe-inspiring it would be in such a large room, surrounded by people who share the same love for music (the tickets are expensive for a reason; in other words, trance lovers only). Did I say I was going to show up? How late is fashionably late? Ten o’clock it is!
Before we part ways, make sure you brush up on the following tracks as they’re certain to get multiple plays come Sunday.
Betsie Larkin & Ferry Corsten – Stars (Alex O’Rion Bigger Room Mix)
