Alesso returned to Brooklyn for his first NYC show in two years, featuring a special B2B debut alongside Gryffin and a euphoric performance of beloved classics and new sounds.
Two years ago, when Alesso packed the Brooklyn Storehouse, fans gathered to see the Swedish superstar behind some of the biggest EDM anthems of the past decade. His planned return to the Big Apple last year was canceled following the Brooklyn Mirage fiasco, leaving New York fans waiting even longer for his next appearance. So when he finally returned last weekend, anticipation was palpable leading up to show day.
I knew I had to be there from the moment I saw the announcement that he was returning to Brooklyn. Set along the waterfront, Brooklyn Army Terminal was an expansive outdoor space that felt especially suited for a sunset-to-evening performance, offering a backdrop for what was already shaping up to be a memorable day.
My excitement was amplified by the debut of Gryffin and Alesso’s back-to-back set. I’ve seen Alesso perform sets with Martin Garrix several times, and those performances have always shown me just how much chemistry and spontaneity can emerge when two artists know how to play off each other. Having seen both Alesso and Gryffin individually, I was curious to hear how their sounds would come together, particularly through their own tracks and surprise mashups.
Alesso b2b Gryffin was full of unexpected crossovers.
The two artists had been teasing the collaboration in the week leading up to the show, sharing glimpses of their time in the studio as they prepared for their debut. Watching that buildup unfold made me even more curious to see what they had been cooking up and how it would translate in front of a live audience.
On the day of the show, the back-to-back was scheduled for 5pm, well before sunset, yet the venue was already filled to the brim by the time Alesso and Gryffin took the stage. It was clear that the crowd had come ready for this moment.
The pair traded off their biggest tracks and unexpected mashups, moving between all-time favorite songs like Swedish House Mafia’s “Don’t You Worry Child,” Gryffin’s “Feel Good” and “Tie Me Down,” and Alesso’s “Pressure” and “If I Lose Myself.” There was something particularly satisfying about hearing those two worlds collide. Gryffin occasionally leaned into his heavier dubstep-influenced sound, while Alesso continued to bring the euphoric, festival-sized melodies that have long defined his sets. Somehow, the contrast only made the experience more magical.
One of the biggest highlights was their mashup of “Cinema” and “Satisfaction,” which instantly locked in the entire crowd. The 60-minute set flew by, and by the time the final track came around, it felt like they had only just started. I couldn’t help but wish they had another hour to explore that brilliant chemistry.
Sentinel set the stage for Alesso’s headline performance.
Then, Australian trio Sentinel continued to set the mood with a vibrant sunset performance, giving the crowd plenty of energy ahead of Alesso’s main set, which began around 8pm. By then, more than 10,000 people had filled the venue, and the roar that erupted when Alesso finally appeared again said everything.
Alesso wasted no time pulling the crowd into his world, moving between beloved classics like “Remedy” and “Calling” to his newer, more aggressive releases including “Smoke Machine,” “Get Your Groove On,” and “Turn Up The Bass.” Fans sang along and danced to the familiar melody, throwing their hands into the air as Alesso delivered one euphoric moment after another.
The energy reached another peak when Alesso invited Sentinel back to the stage for “Freedom” and “When I’m Gone.” It felt like a fitting continuation of the sunset set, bringing the trio back into the spotlight as the crowd immersed themselves in the moment.
A nostalgic encore wrapped up a lovely Saturday evening.
As the night came to a close, Alesso made a return to the decks for a final encore and closed with a nostalgic mashup of “Scared to Be Lonely” and “If I Lose Myself.” Hearing those two classics woven together was an emotional full-circle moment. It was clear just how much New York had missed the Swedish artist.
After two years away, he gave the crowd exactly what they came for on a beautiful summer Saturday evening. With a packed run of shows ahead and more new music on the horizon, hopefully it won’t be too long before Alesso is back in New York City again.
