While playing festivals all over the world, HoneyLuv never stepped behind the decks in her hometown of Cleveland, Ohio. Once she did, it was worth the wait.
The anticipation of HoneyLuv’s hometown debut in Cleveland was at an all-time high for house music aficionados. After leaving Cleveland for Los Angeles in 2016, she has become a household name for EDM fans. Slotted within a full schedule of dates hitting the most iconic festivals and venues in dance music, including an upcoming slot at Movement Music Festival, DJ Mag Presents brought HoneyLuv home for a remarkable performance at Crobar.
Expectations for the first DJ Mag Presents event in Cleveland were through the roof as the industry juggernaut piloted their brand at Crobar, a popular, LGBTQ-leaning bar nestled inconspicuously on a quiet corner outside of Downtown Cleveland. The no-frills “five-star dive” boasts a full bar steps away from the front entrance, and an open dancefloor (better known as the Music Hall) sitting at the heart of the space. Clevelanders love the welcoming nature of Crobar, where friendly bartenders serve tasty, reasonably priced drinks, and eclectic talent performs five days a week.
Gerad Guhde, affectionately known as “Crobar Dad,” has owned the venue since February 2022, booking all the talent. Local and international DJs appreciate Gerad’s approach of staying true to the grit of underground music with a professional polish. Outside of the diverse audience that attends events, DJs love to play Crobar because of its incredible sound and unique production. The Music Hall is equipped with a sound system that has been studiously tuned, delivering sonic richness, clarity and depth that put other Cleveland clubs to shame.
The charming, industrial grid ceiling reminds you that you’re in a tavern-style building over 100 years old.
Featured prominently were large, white and mirrored decorative spheres hanging from the ceiling, perfectly placed for visuals to dance from sphere to sphere before landing on the ultrawide projector screens above the DJ booth. Preparing for his seventh year doing visuals for Movement Detroit, fellow Clevelander and Visual Artist Kevin Jackson did a spectacular job mapping projections through the night, utilizing DJ Mag’s signature red and white brand colors.
Dancing near the back corner of the Music Hall granted you access to a vast outdoor area equipped with a smaller bar, mural-sized wall of visuals, and comfortable seating. Fortunately, you didn’t miss a beat from the Music Hall as well-placed outdoor speakers kept the tunes audible, with unobtrusive noise bleed and echo.
Local DJs NicNacc and Larichess teamed up for a special back-to-back performance, warming up the stage to support their friend. The ladies opened the night properly, playing soulful, upbeat tracks as the crowd steadily trickled in, controlling the energy with just the right tempo.
When HoneyLuv gracefully took the stage, golden locks in tow, it seemed as if all sound was filtered but the music. The audience focused their attention on the main stage, more eager to dance than ever. Backstage was lined with Honeyluv’s relatives and close friends, snapping photos and exuding immense pride.
Crobar was at capacity with smiling faces and elevated hands. Everything felt perfect for the intimate space: the music, the crowd, and the heat.
Though nobody seemed to care, the dancefloor got so hot a breaker was triggered, killing the music. Crobar inadvertently turned into a silent disco for almost two full minutes.
The retro-tiled floor stayed packed as we patiently waited for the return of the bass, followed soon after by the other frequencies. Many were talking, laughing, and smiling, though most were still dancing as if the music never stopped! It was a moment that could only be experienced to realize its full impact — HoneyLuv’s energy was so powerful that we didn’t even need music to enjoy her set.
Dropping remixes of timeless classics like En Vogue’s “My Lovin’ (You’re Never Gonna Get It)” to modern hits like “Water” by Tyla, HoneyLuv controlled the dancefloor, staying just as active on her feet as her hands. By the time she let loose her monster hit, “365 (Thr33 6ix 5ive)” the crowd was intoxicated by her infectious passion. We couldn’t help to put our heads down and break into our best collective two-step.
Cleveland has been aching for spirited, skillful, and vibrant house music. HoneyLuv’s return was a refreshing glass of ice-cold lemonade on a balmy Summer day. Backed by DJ Mag, HoneyLuv’s poetic return solidified Cleveland’s place on the house music map as the city showed up and showed out for a perfect homecoming.
