Grammy-nominated DJ, producer, and songwriter Dom Dolla made his Madison Square Garden debut with two sold out performances on March 7-8.
Madison Square Garden is one of the world’s most iconic venues. While many high-profile performances have taken place at the arena since its inception, few electronic acts have been given the opportunity to play “the Garden.” Drawing in over 30,000 fans, Dom Dolla joined the elite list of electronic artists to headline the famous New York City venue with two sold-out shows on March 7-8.
With a history of hitting milestones in NYC, I knew this career-defining performance was one I couldn’t miss. In the days leading up to March 8, I fantasized about what Dom had cooked for the special occasion. Would he unveil an eccentric stage like the custom golf ball he dreamed up for a recent golf tournament appearance? Who would he bring out as a special guest? I’d soon discover that none of my fantasies could hold a candle to reality.
I hopped out of the subway a block from MSG, ready to take on night two’s sold-out performance. I arrived at the venue just under an hour before doors, and there were lines at both entrances with fans waiting in the cold in hopes of making barricade. At 7pm, the doors opened, and we entered the venue. I took time to check out Dom’s exclusive MSG merch offerings before heading to the floor for the first set of the evening.
The support lineup had the crowd moving right off the bat, signaling the energy that would come once Dom took the stage.
While I had never heard of Fcukers before their set at MSG, I was pleasantly surprised with their live show. The thin gathering of attendees on the floor for the first set of the night was full of energy, with revelers dancing along to every beat. The electronic duo played numerous crowd pleasers along with their original tracks, featuring their vocalist Shannon Wise, delivering a bouncy performance that set the mood for the evening ahead.
From the beginning of the evening, it was evident that Dom had created an immersive experience within the Garden’s footprint. While full production had yet to be revealed, I was surprised to see the addition of lighting along the perimeter of the arena and the mass amount of beam lights brought in by his team. A singular, ginormous LED screen hung in the center of the stage, displaying crisp visuals and adding to the grandeur.
The crowd quickly filled in throughout Fcukers’ set, with a majority of seats filled by the time Tiga took to the stage. Known for his dancefloor-dominating tune “Let’s Go Dancing,” Tiga supplied the crowd with a heavy dose of tech house. As his set wrapped, fans began to chant for Dom anticipating his grand entrance.
With the audience’s full attention, Dom Dolla took the stage with an ode to New York City, kicking off his two-hour set in epic fashion.
The track, crafted for his Forest Hills Stadium performance in 2024, was the perfect opening for his return to the Big Apple. He wasted no time breaking out his biggest hits as he transitioned into “Rhyme Dust,” which earned screams of excitement.
Once deep in his groove, Dom played everything from the new Anyma remix of “Dreamin” to unreleased IDs from ACRAZE and HNTR. The meticulously curated setlist, stacked with bangers from his extensive catalog, was impeccably coupled with his epic production.
I was mind blown by how well the organizers thought out the show design. Dom and his team were given the freedom to bring their vision to life on a blank canvas, and they ran with it, transforming the iconic arena into a club-like experience. The space was perfectly utilized with elements of production staged throughout the venue, making the large arena feel more intimate. With moving lighting platforms, piercing lasers, and an impressive display of pyrotechnics, the months of preparation put into making the milestone show a reality paid off with the crowd’s reactions.
While there were many memorable moments throughout the evening, the two biggest surprises came in the form of special guests.
Kid Cudi, who joined Dom the previous night, performed a medley including “Day ‘n’ Nite,” his unreleased collaboration with Dom, and the Steve Aoki remix of “Pursuit of Happiness (Nightmare).”
Tove Lo also made an appearance, much to my delight. It was as if I had manifested it in the days leading up to the event. Singing “Habits (Stay High)” and her drum and bass collaboration with Dom entitled “CAVE,” Tove Lo captivated the audience as we neared the end of the night.
From the moment he took the stage, Dom had the crowd eating out of the palm of his hand. It was a true display of collective effervescence — easily the best crowd I have experienced at a concert in the past year.
Start to finish, Dom Dolla delivered a dynamic set complete with theatrics and unforgettable moments that will leave fans reminiscing for months to come. I truly believe this will be remembered as a pivotal moment in his career trajectory. I can’t wait to see the new heights he reaches as he continues to dominate the electronic music scene.
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