Knock2 and Brownies & Lemonade brought the Room202 Phase 2 tour to Oakland for two unforgettable nights of energy.
Among a select few artists leading the rave renaissance brewing in recent years, Knock2 is one standout act that continues to surprise us. From doing his part in reimagining how we define dance music to his continued efforts in driving the scene forward and cultivating a new generation of ravers, his impact on the scene will last a lifetime.
With the recent release of his Room202 dlx EP, Knock2 reignited a fire across the scene with notable veterans Wolfgang Gartner and Mord Fustang on remix duties. The revamped EP gave listeners an electric shock, reminding everyone why he first rose to prominence. His dedication to a fun and high-energy take on dance music has propelled his career, leading him to work with some of his very own idols — including Dillon Francis, for their new “buttons!” song and music video.
Now, Knock2 is finishing up the month-long Room202 Phase 2 tour, with one stop left in El Paso, Texas, and four sold-out co-headline shows in Los Angeles with best friend ISOxo. Before the end of the tour, however, we caught Knock2 in the Bay for one of his two secret Oakland warehouse stops.
The Room202 Phase 2 tour is filled with hype, energy, and nonstop dance.
The first night of the two Oakland stops kicked off smoothly. We arrived to find the line going around the corner, but luckily, it was moving pretty quickly. Getting inside was a breeze, so we made our way to the bar and bathrooms to get situated for the night.
Walking into the warehouse space, you could feel that the energy was high, with the crowd already in full turn-up mode and excitement in the air. The party had already started, and the crowd surrounded the booth in the middle of the room in a 360 style. Radcat had set the vibe perfectly, so the crowd was dancing, fans were waving, and bodies were heating up.
Pretty soon, we had to step outside for a breather, so we headed out to have a seat in the chairs by the Porta Potties. If only all events provided them. Another bonus was a food truck right in the middle of the outside space, providing delicious Mediterranean food for hungry attendees to fuel up for the hours ahead. We headed back inside as Taiki Nulight took the stage, enchanting the crowd with such ease that we hardly noticed a transition. Taiki brought the subterranean sounds to the warehouse, feeding into The Bay’s never-ending love of house music.
For the main event, the lights dimmed as Knock2 crept up on stage, seemingly appearing out of nowhere. The room was filled with phones held up recording, as everyone wanted to commemorate the moment of his big entrance. Immediately, the room erupted with energy as Knock2 cranked the party up and just kept on going. He played some unreleased tracks, some remixes of classics, and even some Bay Area anthems. Then came the surprise guest.
Suddenly, Knock2 paused to bring up his best friend and fellow star on the rise, ISOxo.
That same night, ISOxo’s kidsgonemad! album had been released, so understandably, the crowd went nuts. He played some tracks off the album, absolutely mesmerizing the crowd, who already knew all the words and sang along. The two best friends continued, clearly having a blast, pausing for a moment when Knock2 praised ISOxo for the album release. The two hugged, eliciting chants from the crowd to kiss. They hugged and kissed on the cheek without missing a beat.
While such a brief moment in the night as a whole, it was truly a beautiful thing to witness. These two young artists have been taking the dance music world by storm — captivating listeners and tastemakers alike — and still cherish their friendship above all else.
To see such a pure and unashamed display of love between two young men quickly rising in stardom gives me hope. The two are forces to be reckoned with, encapsulating rock star energy as no one in the scene has done before, but they continue to prioritize positivity, friendship, and their dreams. That helps reassure us that the kids are alright.
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