Event Review: See What Unfolds Live: Steve Aoki & Duran Duran Invade Terminal 5 NYC

Aoki at Terminal 5

Trident was either rewarding all the ravers for the gum they have been chewing, or launching an intensive marketing campaign last night at Terminal 5 for the free Steve Aoki show they put on.

The madness began a little later than planned, just a few minutes after eight o’clock. Aoki spun all of the tunes you would expect to hear from him, some of my favorites being “Earthquakey People” and “No Beef.” Aoki got people on stage and onto his raft several times as well as saturating the front of the crowd with champagne, water and cake. A new collaborative track between Steve Aoki and Knife Party was dropped about mid-way through his set and the crowd’s reaction was pretty wild. The new track was my personal favorite song of the night, but then again, Knife Party never seems to disappoint me.

An older member of the crowd enjoys a raft ride!

Although almost everyone was there to see Aoki, this was very much Trident’s event. From the visualizers on the LED screen to the Trident Layer’s inspired cakes that Aoki threw, Trident was marketing their brand heavily. In fact, it probably flashed “Trident” on the LED screen more than it did “Steve Aoki.”

onto other news… i finished my latest remix tested the master at soundcheck today. can’t wait for all crazy NYC kids coming to hear it!

— Steve Aoki (@steveaoki) June 20, 2012

After a few bottles of champagne and a total of three cakes, Aoki announced that he would be closing with his new collaboration with the surprise guest, Duran Duran. The song, “Hungry Like The Wolf,” is definitely a lot more of a progressive house track than we have grown to expect from Aoki. The alternative mix of the original marks the 30th anniversary of the hit by Duran Duran.

Aoki and Duran Duran perform their new collaboration!

As Aoki left the stage, Duran Duran took center stage and began to perform a few numbers. Although I will admit I am not well versed in my 80s rock, their performance was a lot of fun. As the performers switched, so did the crowd demographic. All of a sudden I noticed a lot older members of the audience, which makes me believe that not only Aoki fans were tipped off about this event.

For those lucky enough to get there early, Trident was even giving out SOL headphones to some guests. On the way out, guests were given tote bags filled with Trident merchandise. Although the night started and ended early, no one seemed to mind. After all, free merch and a free show on a Wednesday is always a good deal by most people’s standards. Finally, I would like to give props to Terminal 5 for managing to keep the venue cool and comfortable, despite the scorching heat that is sweeping the east coast!

You can download the collaboration between Steve Aoki and Duran Duran here for free!

Article by: Daniel Shaw

About the Author

Daniel Shaw Economics student by day, raver by night - Dan hails from Poughkeepsie, but tries to make it into New York City when classes aren't in session to catch a DJ set. Dan is overcommitted and usually sleep deprived, but that wave of emotion sparked by the best of tracks keeps him going. Twitter: @thedanielshaw

Tibbar70

Yes, us “older” fans, one here who went to raves when they started, so it was nothing new for me, got tipped off by the fan club who had a contest to give tickets to the show; they gave out the most tickets. From the looks of the line I was in since 3 int he afternoon, there were more folks there to see Duran Duran.
Tibbar70

One more comment regarding those that got headphones; myself and other Duran fans got right to the front of the stage when the doors opened. I have never been so close, and was so happy. At 7:45 ish, we were told we’d have to all step back to let around 25 folks in that were told they could only stay for Steve’s set, then would move, and we could get our spots back! Ha! Good luck with that; try moving an entire crowd of Duranies back! We then all stayed right behind those folks to reclaim our spots, and I was lucky enough to get mine.
Very unorganized by Terminal 5, same with the line outside. Just like most reviews I read said. It wasn’t fair to the folks with the headphones, and certainly not to the Duran fans; they could have roped off the section for those people so they didn’t have to shove their way in, and simply moved the rope after Aoki’s set! I’m just grateful I got my front row spot back, and boy, was it worth it!!