Marlon Hoffstadt, aka DJ Daddy Trance, delivered a set filled with sweat, nostalgia, and abandon at the Knockdown Center.
EDM is inherently nostalgic. For most of us, the oontz-oontz tracks of the ’90s and early 2000s — such as Corona’s “Rhythm of the Night,” Eiffel 65’s “Blue,” or Darude’s “Sandstorm” — were our first introduction to dance music, yet Eurodance is a style of the genre that, for quite some time, has been considered as an afterthought. But for Marlon Hoffstadt, the sound is front of mind.
Hoffstadt, better known as DJ Daddy Trance, looks like your typical Berliner: edgy and fierce with a hint of punk. But he’s not afraid to show off some color as evidenced by how his hair color cycles through bright and deep palettes. As both his stage name and his fashion choices suggest, his music is playful, quick, freeing. It evokes the same jubilant energy felt in those timeless Eurodance records.
Take, for example, his 2023 hit “It’s That Time,” a bouncy anthem whose hypnotic hook is amplified by carefree whistles, or his recent release “Supersonic,” which sparkles with classic trance synths, elegant harmonies, and a mesmerizing bass and hi-hat sequence. His ability to create a sound so enchanting made his New York City debut at the Knockdown Center on May 24 one of the most electrifying performances of the season.
It was a night full of surrender. Something was always unfolding in every corner of the room.
The set design that night was simple: no flashy big screens, just minimal lighting columns, and everyone was welcome to dance onstage with Hoffstadt. For two hours, the warehouse venue rattled with an intense vibration, as the bare layout enabled the sold-out crowd to experience a communal atmosphere. Our attention that late evening was on two things: the music and one another.
In every corner of the room, something was always unfolding — friend groups locking eyes and echoing lyrics at each other, bodies melting into the pulsing rhythm, and hands in the air with no hesitation. The air was thick with heat, and no one cared about the sweat or chaos at play.
Prior to the night, Hoffstadt had just concluded a run of dates that included his first-ever Canadian performance and his EDC Las Vegas premiere. It was a milestone moment for him — not only in terms of his career, but something much deeper. Hoffstadt recently told us that it took him “years to find my own sound and to find confidence.” Now, after more than a decade of exploring, experimenting, and refining his artistry, he’s finally arrived.
His newfound composure was evident at the Knockdown Center. Throughout the night, Hoffstadt moved with purpose, knowing when to stay focused on the DJ decks and when to engage with the crowd.
His set, which swirled from his music to iconic classics to hefty Eurodance remixes, never had a lull. Each track played was intentional, as it was a marathon of rushing and euphoric cadence, channeling an atmosphere of abandon.
Sometimes venues can feel isolating, and certain parts of a room can feel more lively than others. But not that night. I can only imagine that a similar crowd experience would also be felt at future stops, too: a fun house that’s loud, wild, and full of joy.
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