Cosmic Opera: This is what we’re waiting for

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When the trailer for cosmic opera was released several months ago I  was just as confused as the next EDM enthusiast. I knew that it had something to do with an "extrasensory" experience and that somehow a theatrical performance would be involved. The only thing that was clear, was who was headlining the night... 1/3 of the super group Swedish House Mafia... Axwell. With the promise of more acts to be named later, EDM enthusiasts flocked to the internet to pick up tickets, which sold out in under a day. Although no one truly understood what the show entailed, ravers took a shot in the dark and did it ever pay off.

Walking into a crowded Hammerstein Ballroom, I was quickly swept into my surroundings. A beautiful chandelier hung from the ceiling, illuminating the crowd in a pale blue.   A man in a tuxedo walked out onto the stage while holding a glowing baton. As the beautiful orchestral arrangements played in the background, all eyes were on him. He gathered everyone's attention, the music faded and NO ID took to the booth.

The stage looked like it was plucked straight from the phantom of the opera. The DJ booth looked more like church organs,  ready to bellow out the loudest chords at any given moment. Behind the booth, a beautiful backdrop that looked more like a Broadway set than the stage for an Axwell concert. The phantom himself would have approved.

Although relatively unknown, it's fairly certain this will not be the last time we here at ElektroDaily talk about NO ID. The duo was quickly able to work the crowd into a 10 p.m. frenzy.  NO ID has a unique ability of almost lulling their audience into a trance, before slapping them across the face with bass driven breakdowns. As people continued to pour into the theatre, the place began to feel like any other show... Until giant bedsheets descended from the ceiling.

The theatrical aspect of this show really came between sets. After No ID had finished destroying the audience with their talent, all attention turned to the center of the dance floor. It was there that three dancers were suspended high above the crowd. The act was extremely reminiscent of cirque du solei. As the gymnasts tumbled and glided up and down the sheets, the real action was going on, on stage.

As the beautiful intermission wrapped up, the crowd was reminded why were there. Deniz Koyu stared out onto the subdued crowd, ready to get the party started once again. It was remarkable how quickly a quiet crowd, enthralled by a beautiful intermission can come back to life. Koyu was able to pump up the crowd with his unique style and energy. The man could not stand still behind the booth, his energy behind the tables only fueled the fire that was the crowd.

When reflecting on a show it's easiest to use songs as a point of reference. By 11 p.m. Koyu had full control of his audience when he played  Tiesto's "Insomnia"  remix.  The clock struck midnight and Kaskades "Turn it Down" filled the hall, literally reducing spectators to tears.

As Koyu's set wound down, the audience's attention turned to a single spotlight on the left balcony. There, a woman in all white was climbing the stairs. Her dress glimmering with the lasers from the stage, her face painted completely white. She began to sing and the crowd turned silent. Her beautiful voice filled the hall and she stepped to the edge of the balcony. Without hesitation she walked off the edge, but rather than tumble to the floor below she appeared to glide over the crowd. As she hovered over them, the music began to intensify. Before I knew it, she was singing from the stage and the once moderately sized church organ had doubled in size....

At 12:42 a.m. the night's conductor had arrived.

Once Axwell hit the stage the theater erupted into a wave of chaotic dance. He appropriately opened his set  with "In My Mind," the song from the trailer. It was just an early indication what was to come.  He quickly dove into his set, playing a pretty eclectic mix, mashing up some Swedish House Mafia favorites to get the party started. When Axwell turned up the volume with  "Antidote", the floor literally began to tremble. As the set went on he demonstrated his range, mixing songs together with supreme confidence and passion. When Nero's "Promises" melted into "The Island," the crowd was transported to another planet. As "The Island" transitioned into Axwell's "Nothing But Love 4 You" the crowd somehow even responded with more energy.

Hammerstein was the perfect venue to hold such an event. The beauty of its interior meshed with its stages capabilities, made this theater the ultimate choice.

Cosmic Opera = Cosmic Success.

Images By Andrew Rauner