Event Review: Carl Cox Debuts at Exchange LA 6/15/12
Carl Cox is no newcomer to EDM listeners’ ears. If you get blessed with the experience of seeing him live, you know EXACTLY why and how he’s kept the momentum going all these years, globetrotting with headphones in hand and beats ready to destroy the dance floor. Cox is infamous for his long sets that flow into each other track after track, city after city, and amazing parties not just in clubs like SPACE in IBIZA, but all over the world. His radio show and live sets are one of a kind featuring some of the biggest names and best track debuts of several different genres of house music. Just this past Friday June 15 in Los Angeles he played his debut show at Exchange LA in downtown Los Angeles. Exchange is no stranger to a solid setting for dance music with legends such as Matt Darey, Cosmic Gate, BT, and other local favorites like Kristina Sky and Trent Cantrelle imprinting positive vibes throughout the venue, serving perfectly as a place for dancing and grooving to Cox’s upbeat party set. In April 2012, Exchange LA was voted Favorite Los Angeles Dance Club by About.com. It has multi levels with elegant décor, adorned with beautifully lit trees and lights everywhere highlighting gorgeous marble floors and glowing, fully-stocked bars for whatever your heart desires. The crowd for Cox was nothing short of high end, bringing people dressed to the nines and ready to party Ibiza style with their beautiful faces and rhythmic bodies.
The amazing sound system was clear and crisp set just with the right amount of bass and soulful treble levels on the main dance floor, upstairs provided for a colorful and energetic platform for Carl Cox to lay down his bomb beats. Trent Cantrelle opened at 10p.m. and he did a stellar job getting the club ready and pumped for Carl Cox’s set. Tailor made, Cantrelle’s opening set was fresh and new with a handful of top charted deep house hits such as Mark Fanciulli “Sacrifice” and the epic big room bassline track “Battle for Middle You” from Bristol as well as Dirtybird favorite Julio Bashmore. Keeping the bpm at a lower and teasing rate, Cantrelle built the crowd up nicely into Cox’s high energy and crazy house set. Trent has solidified himself as a favorite amongst club and massive events alike in Los Angeles and it’s exciting to hear him evolve into this type of set he specially prepared for Exchange this night. This show was Cantrelle’s second time opening for Cox playing an EDC afterhours (by INSOMNIAC) event at Drai’s in Las Vegas in the early morning hours just the previous Saturday. INSOMNIAC made sure to bring that party right on over back to LA. Confetti, CO2 rushes, and sensual robot dancers strapped in white blended with lights and smoke there was no shortage of visual bliss to match the music. Trent proved himself as one of the most versatile DJ’s setting the right mood for Cox to bring in the goosebumps and chills with the change of pace and Tribal beats around 12:30a.m.
Carl Cox opened the night with tracks like “Future” featuring Inner City (Kenny Larkin Tension Mix) by Kevin Saunderson, truly setting the mood for a sexy time which sums up the vibe for the night. Cox kept us moving past 3a.m. and there was never a dull moment. He’s known for his constant smiles which pump up the crowd so effortlessly; it is easy to see why he has remained one the pioneers in dance music and setting the bar for live shows in particular. His sets are always varying to fit every taste and there is never a lack of new music shaking up your eardrums that are likely to be touching your ears for the very first time. Cox kept the musical affair going strong by always throwing in those classic tracks remixed and edited to perfection for a modern, yet nostalgic feel of the Balearic Islands.
Carl Cox was no stranger amongst these dance music lovers and it was clear that people know exactly whom they were there to see and there was a steady, full-house all night. Some Cox newcomers danced around the ‘Ibiza educated’ fans and became acquainted with Carl’s non-stop party mode vibe that night. Club Space in Ibiza is home to Carl Cox every summer and it was definitely being channeled as the hypnotic sounds bounced off the walls and back onto the dance floor, everyone moving in unison. We heard some of Cox’s own tunes such as the Onionz remix of the heart-thumping track “The Player”. Along with this banger, Cox mixed in a few deep house tracks with lots of tribal and techno/tech house tunes to make sure the party and dancing kept going full speed ahead into the morning hours. At the same time in NYC, fellow Intec Digital artist Nicole Moudaber the techno queen whom has received much support from Cox on his worldwide syndicated radio show Carl Cox Global, found herself giving the proud some proper tunes at Cielo NYC, and taking some time to interview with EDM Insider. Check out the Exclusive Interview to hear about how The Revolution Continues at Space this summer, HERE. This weekend, Exchange brings back dance music lovers for the Awakening launch party weaved together by the amazing party makers over at INSOMNIAC, with trance favorites Richard Durand, Tritonal, and Leon Boiler. (Read Preview Here) This will surely be another night to remember following the great vibes that Cox set for the summer at Exchange last weekend. Exchange LA goers were definitely treated to something special with Cox visit and he definitely took us on a dancing journey not soon to be forgotten by those thrown into the jungle of sound that was last Friday night!
Article by: Shirin Nene
