Mixmag presents DJ POSES. Whose pose is that, and what does it represent?

This was originally posted on Mixmag, but it was so good, we thought we’d share it in its entirety. How many times have we seen our favourite Dj do his trademark pose at a show? The last time Armin van Buuren was in Toronto, we counted 20+ times that he did his trademark Jesus pose. We stopped counting after 20, or rather, we lost count. Enjoy the list, you might recognize a few of them, if not all.

The Txter
The kind of body language preferred by moody grime DJs trying to look nonchalant by constantly checking their phone in the time between clanging mixes together.
Examples: Darq E Freaker, Preditah

The Cry-baby
These DJs can be seen weeping with happiness at every euphoric/mindblowing musical moment, often going so far as to shed actual tears in the booth.
Examples: Prosumer, Move D

The Finger Piano-player
These DJs do little but look cool for their whole set – apart from when a piano comes in and they nonchalantly raise one hand to play along to the riff.
Example: Dixon

The Orgasmatron
A state of intense concentration and pleasure reached by DJs who become locked into their selection on a very deep level, resulting in the inadvertent exhibition of their sex face.
Example: Seth Troxler

The Libido
Similar to the bobber, but instead of leading with the shoulders this lot lead with the hips, adding a hint of sexual thrust to what is in fact just someone fiddling with a mixer.
Examples: Solomun, Shaun Reeves

The Bobber
The pose for DJs who want to assume an air of technicality while also showing they are locked into a groove. They bob to the beat while EQing in earnest.
Examples: Maceo Plex, Maya Jane Coles

The Lean-back
Often occurs as the prelude to a full-on head-mosh when the tune drops. Habitual proponents risk displaying the contents of their nostrils to the crowd – not to mention whiplash.
Examples: Skrillex, Rusko

The Down-low
Adopted by DJs who get so into mixing that the top half of their body gravitates toward the mixer and they end up performing at a 90-degree angle as if suddenly struck by appendicitis.
Examples: Skream, Jackmaster

The Cowboy
They twirl one hand in the air like they’re lassooing cattle while pretending to whistle and side-stepping like a square-dancing rodeo redneck. Keep rollin’, rollin’, rollin’, rawhide!
Examples: Davide Squillace, Luciano, Reboot

The Jesus
The ultimate pose favoured by many big-shots; with arms outstretched like Jesus on the cross these DJs probably lap up the crowd’s adoration while secretly thinking, “Yes, I am good”.
Examples: Armin van Buuren, Swedish House Mafia

The Artist
Every turn of a knob or flick of a fader is a precise movement akin to an artist gently applying the finishing brush-strokes to a timeless masterpiece. Albeit with people shouting ‘Brap!’
Examples: Icicle, Rockwel

The Pointer
The standard pose adopted by many a mainstream millionaire – and those who aspire to be them. Far more acceptable in Ibizan superclubs than a half-empty Sheila’s Wine Bar in Swindon.
Examples: Guetta,Tiësto, Ferry Corsten

[Illustration: Elliot Thoburn]

@Stilez

REVIEW: Nicole Moudaber @ Footwork Nightclub (05/10/2013)

The last time I saw Nicole Moudaber (Click Here) I hadn’t taken many pictures or videos because I was so mesmerized and entranced by her sound that I danced the night away without realizing I hadn’t really taken my phone from my pocket for most of the night. I was determined to get better footage and photos this time around, regardless of how good of a time I was having, in order to share with you all just how amazing she is live. I’m glad to report that I was successful in my quest…..somewhat. I still didn’t take many pictures or videos, but the ones I did manage to get, seemed to have done the job in capturing the moment and vibe inside Footwork.

The UK based, Nigerian born Lebanese and Queen of Techno, with her wild curly hair has catapulted to the top of underground Electronic Dance music charts all over the world since her last visit to Footwork. However, her spectacular rise to success shouldn’t come as a surprise to anyone who’s followed her career. Steadily releasing some of the best tracks of the past year, it’s no wonder Adam Beyer’s record label Drumcode snatched her up. Just like the last time she was here, it was a packed house from start to finish for her Believe Tour this past Friday night inside Footwork Nightclub. The masses came out in full force to dance and sweat, and sweat they did! So much so, that the ceiling and walls were dripping from condensation. Now I realize that sounds gross to many, but that’s when you know that a party has hit ‘Next Level’ status and moved well into the Epic category. It’s also important to note that this past weekend was Footwork’s 8yr anniversary celebration, and what better way to celebrate than to have Nicole lay down some proper techno. The moment of the night is when she was handed over a Maple Leafs jersey to wear, and the crowd started chanting “Go Leafs Go!”.

Nicole has been unstoppable this past year, and her recently released debut album already has certified chart toppers. Her next big step is starting her own label called MOOD, and I eagerly await to see in which direction she takes that venture. For now, check out her current stuff at the following links, in the event that you haven’t yet taken the plunge and exposed yourself to some dirty, filthy techno. You’re welcome.

● Twitter – http://bit.ly/TMCFeg
● Myspace – http://mysp.ac/TMCPlP
● Facebook – http://on.fb.me/TMEwzN
● Soundcloud – http://bit.ly/TMCYG0
● Resident Advisor – http://bit.ly/TMD0hb
● Beatport – http://btprt.dj/TMD5kN
● Youtube – http://bit.ly/TMDdRs
● Mixcloud – http://bit.ly/TMDmUV
● Google+ – http://bit.ly/TME8RZ
● Official FM – http://bit.ly/TMDILa
● Beatport DJs – http://btprt.dj/TMDm7s

Until the next event, see you on the dancefloor.
-Stilez

REVIEW: John Digweed @ Guv 05/12/2012

Wow! That’s all that can be said for the sublime audio experience that was had last Saturday inside the mainroom of the world renowned Guvernment Nightclub in Toronto. On the decks, non other than the legendary Dj/Producer John Digweed who, like his last appearance last year, proceeded to educate newcomers to the scene and veterans alike, about the proper underground Proggy/Techy/Dirty beats. So many old familiar faces were in attendance. Many who have ‘retired’ from the scene, but knew what to expect from Digweed, and so made the effort to make their way back to the Guv. From start to finish, it was nothing short of spectacular.

Last year’s set by Digweed in the mainroom was more on the Tech-House side, this year it was a lot deeper and darker with Proggy beats, while still playing many Tech-house and Techno tracks sprinkled into his set. It all added up to a perfect recipe just right for all the true underground EDM lovers who partied into the early morning hours as the sun came up. I look forward to your return Sir Digweed.

Until the next event, see you on the dancefloor.

-Stilez

REVIEW: UltraSpin @ Guv/Koolhaus (03/10/2012)

My apologies for a late post event review/write-up of UltraSpin 2012, but what a fantastic night of Trance it was (inside the Koolhaus), while Wolfgang Gartner was on fire inside The Guv mainroom alongside residents Manzone & Strong playing disgustingly amazing house music beats into the wee hours of the morning. In my opinion, Ben Gold was the man and had the set of the night inside the Koolhaus. I knew what to expect from his last visit to The Guv for Contact 2011 back in August. Short in stature, but huge behind the decks with a mixture of tech-trance, uplifting, and some melodic tracks thrown in there for good measure. Always full of energy bouncing around in the dj booth, his energy is so contagious it’s nearly impossible to stand still during his set.

Set of the night imo.

Following Ben Gold’s amazing performance, Andy Moor was up for the challenge and came through with a great set of his own. Now I haven’t seen Andy Moor in many, many years, so I wasn’t quite sure what to expect, despite hearing a few of his recent sets and seeing video footage of a few of his shows in the last year. I was pleasantly surprised by what I heard and the crowd seemed to agree.

In between Andy Moor’s set, I decided to head into the Mainroom to check out Wolfang Gartner. It was my first time seeing or hearing him live. I really should’ve stayed there for more of the night as I loved what he was playing. Chunky, heavy  house music with sexy basslines. As you can tell by the picture below, the crowd was loving every second of it too.

I headed back into the Koolhaus to catch W&W’s set. I saw them in Toronto last year at Vola Nightclub and was really impressed by their sound, so I knew we’d all be in for a treat now that they’d be on the awesome sound system inside the Koolhaus. Their sound is definitely made for the big room. They played a lot of the popular tracks of the moment, stuff like: Feel It, Nowhere but here, Punk, Silence, and Invasion to name a few.

Once again I ventured into the mainroom to see if I could catch the end of Wolfgang Gartner’s set, but I missed it and caught The Guv’s very own dynamic duo Manzone & Strong quite possibly playing one of the best sets I’ve heard this year. They were celebrating Fab Strong’s bday proper, with a set that had me dancing until almost 8am in the morning. I just couldn’t bring myself to leave those chunky, rolling basslines that are so hypnotic. All in all a great night especially for the Toronto TranceFamily.

Here’s my video montage of the evening

Until the next party. See you on the dancefloor!

-Stilez

Review: Family Day 2012 @ Guv

In the days leading up to this year’s Family Day event, there was a
buzz on EDM music forums and social media sites alike. If that wasn’t
an indication of what to expect come Sunday night, then you would be
in for a huge surprise. Perhaps the busiest Family Day event to date,
the atmosphere in the mainroom felt like one of the larger events of
the year. Before the clock struck midnight, the mainroom dancefloor was
already wall to wall filled with clubbers ready for their Electro,
House, and most definitely Trance fix. Opening djs and Guvernment
residents Manzone & Strong delivered a phenomenal opening set that had
the crowd ready and wanting more from Swanky Tunes, who would come on
next and take it up a notch to deliver a mindblowing performance
complete with both members standing on the dj booth, several times,
enthusiatically encouraging the crowd to ‘let loose’. This was my
first time seeing this duo perform live, and it was a most memorable
impression they left on me with their relentless beats.

It was crazy in there, and this was only 11:30pm :O

First time seeing them, and they were pretty sick

Next up, one of The Guv crowd’s favourites…Benny Benassi. The last
time Benassi was here, Gareth Emery was also on the same bill (Labour
of Love 2011) and it’s always one of the craziest parties of the year.
Benassi got on the microphone to let Toronto know how much he loved
the city and the venue, and then proceeded to punish them like a
red-headed step child with smash hit after hit. He even did, what has
now become, his signature move by standing on the dj booth and
spraying the crowd with a hand held fog machine. Despite some
grumblings from a few clubbers that he didn’t play his most
commercially successful tracks (i.e. Satisfacion) the crowd still hung
onto every drop and beat breakdown that he played until the very last
track.

Crowd going nuts for Benny

By the time Gareth Emery came on, the crowd was on maximum overdrive
and had no plans on letting up. Opening with a remix of a trance
classic: Robert Miles – Children, he had everyone in the palm of his
hands and took us all on a trance journey. Varying in styles and
genres, he played tech-trance mixed with melodic ones, even a
drumstep track! Ending his set with my personal favourite song of the
night, and his newest release, Concrete Angel (John O’Callaghan
Remix). The room was still at full capacity at 6:30am, as Gareth
decided to extend his set by 30 minutes, and I decided to call it a
night. As a result, I unfortunately missed Mark Oliver’s closing set,
but I have no doubt that he ended the night in fashion, like he always
does. Definitely one for the record books.

WOW!! Gareth made the Toronto TranceFamily happy for sure!

Until the next party. See you on the dancefloor.

Stilez