Review: Joachim Garraud Invades the Gansevoort Park Rooftop 6/17/12

When I walked onto the Gansevoort Park Rooftop and noticed only a few dancing bodies as Joachim Garraud, EDM’s favorite Space Invader, began his afternoon set, I was mildly surprised. Despite the typical bottle service crowd, I thought perhaps Garraud would inspire some excitement. I was right, but it just took a little time.

It started with “Internet Friends” when a few brave souls dared to try some tricks including various iterations of the worm and a few killer back flips. It wasn’t long before a small crowd gathered round to jump, stomp and roar along to the Knife Party rager. Things kicked into gear with a sexy transition from Afrojack & Shermanology‘s “Can’t Stop Me” to Skrillex & Wolfgang Gartner’s “Devil’s Den” and made ever epic with an improvised extended build on the latter.

The life of the party came from a lively group of Manhattanites hailing from various parts of Europe who were decked out in neon war paint and proved to be fearless poolside dance soldiers. ”Space Jam” brought them higher and “One” sent them into a frenzy. As more bodies made their way on the the makeshift dance floor, it felt as though our “ground” might collapse. (Seriously, it wasn’t actual floor space. I’m pretty sure we were jumping on some sort of pool cover.) Luckily, safety reigned king and everything remained in tact despite the rowdy ragers.

Being the très amical and all around lovely person that he is, Garraud stuck around to sign masks, take photographs and exchange pleasantries with anyone who asked leaving quite a few happy Invaders in his wake. Some of the socialites in the back may have been distracted by their flutes of champagne, but a beautiful Sunday afternoon set was nonetheless enjoyed by an intimate group that know how to get down.

Article by: Alessandra Calderin

About the Author

Alessandra Calderin Notorious for her legendary dance offs, Alessandra lives in New York City where she writes for EDMInsider and galavants about. She prefers her EDM outdoors or in sketchy Brooklyn warehouses but will occasionally "hit da club" if you really want her to. She tweets about music, film, yoga and weird thoughts. She doesn't update her tumblr nearly as often as she should. Her spirit animal is Harley Quinn.