Elektro’s Exclusive Party Pics Recap: Dada Life’s Secret Show!

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These days, when it comes to EDM shows, it's hard to get past the high-priced and quick selling tickets, the massive festival scene and the over-the-top production. When New York City got wind that Dada Life, a frequent "main-stage" act, would be doing a free and secret show, we knew it would be one truly for the fans.

Impressively, Dada Life was able to keep the location a secret until the day-of, announcing it would be at the intimate club in midtown-west, Rebel. Coupling their show with NYC natives, such as Alex English for openers, the Swedish duo kept the event relatively low-key, very different to their usual massive events. Regardless, as early as 7pm, the line at Rebel was down the block with hundreds of fans and low chant of 'da-da, da-da.'

Though the venue only held a few hundred lucky fans who were able to get in, Olle and Stefan came to play with all their usual energy and stage-antics. Taking the decks between two massive inflatable champagne bottles, they asked the fans one question, "ARE YOU READY TO KICK...OUT...THE EPIC...MOTHER...F*CKER," as the familiar bass of their festival banger came on. The crowd literally went bananas, not only for the actual dancing bananas in the cages above, but for Dada Life's hard-hitting set.

Early on, their famous number "Happy Violence" had the crowd in a frenzy. Their summer anthem, "Rolling Stone T-Shirt" was nothing short of epic. The duo weaved intricately between melodic favorites and fast paced hard hitting beats. A highlight was a mashup between Knife Party's "Rage Valley" and the Beastie Boys "Fight For Your Right (To Party)," no doubt in tribute to the late MCA. As expected, the two passed out gigantic inflatable champagne bottles and bananas that floated amongst the crowd all night. Stefan and Olle also took turns standing on the DJ booth as well as coming forward to shake hands with the crowd, and to douse the fans (and themselves) with champagne.

The entire night was nothing short of spectacular. Dada Life came through for their fans, bringing an epic and yet intimate free show to an unexpected venue in New York City. They ended their well-rounded and intense set with a reprise of "Kick Out The Epic Motherf*cker" - keeping the crowd on their toes until the very last minute. Olle and Stefan, no doubt, brought their A-game to Rebel last Wednesday. Make sure to check out the feature article on this dynamic duo in the upcoming summer issue of Elektro Magazine.

Words and Images: Andrew Rauner