The Martin Garrix & Friends STMPD RCRDS takeover was not just about the music, but an immersive experience that left the crowd wanting more.
As an international superstar with a career spanning over a decade, Martin Garrix knows exactly what his fans want: a show that they will never forget. And that was exactly what diehard Garrixers got when the DJ brought out a cohort of fierce and versatile artists from his STMPD RCRDS label to take over the Brooklyn Navy Yard last weekend. Despite the tremors from a minor earthquake that rocked the city earlier on Friday, the crowd turned up at the venue brimming with eager anticipation for an unforgettable night ahead.
Artists like Justin Mylo, Mesto, Infuze, DubVision, Julian Jordan, and more dazzled the audience throughout the night. Each of them brought their unique flair and personality to the stage, stirring up the hype with electrifying beats that reverberated through the venue.
While Martin’s performance on day one was delayed by 30 minutes to accommodate the snaking queue outside the venue, the label boss wasted no time in igniting the stage on the next day. Moments after teasing the crowd with the opening melodies of “Empty” from his latest EP, IDEM, he leaped onto the stage and was greeted by a raucous eruption of cheers from the fervent crowd. Almost like the tremors, the ground beneath shook with immense force of collective energy.
While some artists choose to play it safe when they return to a city where they had performed before, Martin Garrix consistently shattered expectations.
For the Dutch DJ, no move is too bold, and no spectacle is too grandiose. It was the details that made this two-day event stand out. From the moment the show began, Martin Garrix’s signature “+×” logo blazed on in vibrant hues as laser beams sliced through the air.
It was a sight to behold. The seamless flow of tracks glided beautifully with the cascade of colors from the sharp lighting to transform the venue into an audio-visual feast for the senses. Every inch of space in the Brooklyn Navy Yard was filled with eager fans whose illuminated faces glowed with collective enthusiasm.
Martin guided the exhilarated crowd at the sprawling complex through all-time favorite tracks like “Lions in the Wild,” “Gold Skies” “High on Life,” “No Sleep,” and “Hurricane.” The club-forward atmosphere peaked when he dished out hits from his Sentio album. Tracks like “Follow,” “Quantum,” and “Limitless” pushed the crowd’s energy to unprecedented levels.
In a delightful twist, he also treated the fans to selections of unreleased IDs that were teased during his recent set at Ultra Music Festival. Fans hoping for a few more surprises certainly got their wish. After the hour mark, the Dutch DJ enlisted Justin Mylo to return to the stage as they continued to drum up the dynamic energy.
The finale left fans awash with profound sentiments akin to a starlit reverie.
As the night approached its final moments, Garrix reminded the crowd of the fleeting time left. With a bittersweet acknowledgment, he declared, “Thank you, New York, I f**king love you!“
The evening came to a poignant end with his closing track, “Starlight,” as the crowd held up their flashlights to transform the venue into a shimmering sea. The dazzling atmosphere was reminiscent of a star-studded night sky that twinkled harmoniously.
As a visionary artist, Martin adeptly selected a fitting finale that encapsulated the emotions across two nights. It almost signaled to the fans that while he had to conclude the celebration of music on the dancefloor, he would keep those memories aglow in his heart like the gentle radiance of starlight.
Martin Garrix’s return to the Big Apple was a resounding affirmation of his stature as a luminary in the electronic music scene. He has already carved out a distinct identity as one of the greatest DJs to have found his true calling behind the decks.
Yet his return to NYC this time with his label mates proves that the performances go beyond the music. The fans simply couldn’t get enough of his magnetic presence and the immersive experience only left the crowd yearning for more.
