Afrojack, Diplo & Rusko at Pier 94 on 12/30/12 Reviewed

This New Years Eve felt like it was a weeklong event. Not because of the traditional recklessness that comes with a new years celebration, but because of the EDM takeover, which literally started celebrating 2013 an entire week before. New York, Atlantic City, Las Vegas, Miami, Dallas, and Los Angeles were all fully stocked with world class EDM talent. This night in particular felt like it was 3013, mainly because of the extraordinary stage and event production at Pier 94 in New York City. Afrojack, Diplo, and Rusko headlined the pre NYE event. Accompanying them were the acts of NYC Moombathoners Sazon Booya and Holland’s Leroy Styles and Bobby Burns.

Pacha NYC and RPM put on the party and with their reputation with nightlife this party was sure to rock. Like at most EDM events, pretty lights, costumed performers, and art instillations were present. Here, however, most of the attention was taken by the now infamous “Twerk Wall”, inspired by Diplo’s #expressyourself movement via social media, which promoted his song with Nicky Da B and created a new dance/pose. The Twerk Wall was extremely basic: a banner hung above a white wall saying ‘Twerk Wall’, ‘#expressyourself’, ‘#Twerk4RPM’. The real art came towards the end of the night as the wall was filled with shoe stains from fans doing handstands. The end result made it look like Jackson Pollock “expressed” himself.

Along with the massive amount ‘twerking’ and dancing, the wide range of EDM genres that were showcased that night really had the crowed going. Dirty Dutch, Progressive House, Electro House, Moombathon, Trap, and Dubstep were all represented that night. Sazon Booya got things going early by playing some of the most Bass heavy Moobathon tracks. Leroy Styles was on next, giving the crowd original Dirty Dutch music, something that really ignited my love for EDM. He ended his set with his massive track titled “KillThem”.

Up next was the much-anticipated Rusko. The original line up did not include the Dubstep king but when he was added it produced much excitement and of course ticket sales. Track after track, Rusko gave the audience new original Dubstep creations. Along with the amazing set, Rusko’s energy was unmatched. He literally bounced up and down during his entire set, really getting the NYC crowd riled up.

Mr. #expressyourself was on next. Diplo had everyone on the floor. Literally. It was a Trap take over, Diplo dropped tracks like “Satisfaction” (RL Grime Remix), DJ Fresh Direct’s “Mary Kate & Ashley”, Major Lazer “Orginal Don” (Flosstradamus Remix), his remix of Calvin Harris’s “Sweet Nothing” and many more! I don’t think I have ever seen a rave of bump & grinding. It was all quite an experience, but the song that almost destroyed the VIP section from people jumping so much was the Trinidad James “All Gold Everything (Protohype & Carnage Remix)”, everyone was literally “SWEATIN’”.

Superstar DJ/Producer Afrojack claimed his spot on stage next, along with a bottle of Grey Goose Vodka and a cigarette, traditional Afrojack style. The 6-foot-tall Dutch DJ could be seen from anywhere starting the party, like always, with his Bangduck track. The crowd was ecstatic for his last set of 2012. Afrojack had an exquisite mix of his classics mashed up with new big room remixes. Psy’s “Gangnam Style “ also made it to his track selection, but this time was an Afrojack remix, which was definitely a crowd favorite.