In partnership with New York’s Teksupport, Time Warp Festival returned to NYC after a five-year hiatus with an all-star lineup of the best Electronic Dance Music DJ’s, producers and performers making it the stand out event of the fall season. Attendees were given access to two stages in a warehouse setting with top-notch lighting and sound systems elevating the experience for all. This event blew me away as I danced to underground Techno and House all night long.
Held at the New York Expo Center on November 22nd and 23rd, Time Warp returned to New York to continue its 25th-anniversary celebration by bringing some of the biggest names in House and Techno for a special performance. Time Warp featured rarely seen artists in the U. S. and included extended sets aimed to please. Walking into the venue the first night I could see how much effort was put into preparing for this event as the incredible lighting system extended throughout the entire ceiling creating the perfect Techno club feel. This lighting design was presented along with texture and sound that spanned across the ceiling and walls.
I started my night at floor one as Mind Against had already started their set. It was my first time seeing the House and Techno duo, and I was uplifted by their easy and deliberate set created by their talented utilization of synths and percussion. Capturing the heart of Techno sound, I entered Mind Against‘s world of creativity, steadiness, and musical genius. Being a fan of synths, I knew that this performance was unlike any other as the unique quality of the synth output makes each show a singular experience. Their set created an impression, and I knew that if this was any indication of what to expect from the rest of the festival that I would experience something I’ve never experienced before: the perfect Techno event.
Heading to floor two to hear Sonja Moonear, I was torn having to leave floor one. Quickly my mood changed as I started to hear the sweet sounds of Techno that Moonear was playing. She brought me to techno heaven playing her set with her eclectic musical tastes, unmatched variety of mixes and unique selections for her performance. If all of this wasn’t enough, she managed to move us in several different directions at once with a well-planned sequence of throbbing deep House tracks making me dance and not miss a beat of this journey.
Reinier Zonneveld knocked me down only to pick me up again as his live set was incredible. Delivering carefully arranged live Electronic Dance Music sequences with his own modular synth set up, Zonneveld provided a pounding Acid Techno performance that made me jump up and down to the point of exhaustion. With his impressive library of material and melodic tracks enhanced by his personal style of mixing, Zonneveld created beats and sounds that could not be ignored. It was clear that Zonneveld reacted to the excitement he created which further enhanced his performance and the crowd’s enjoyment. Unable to predict where his musical journey would take us, we all eagerly went along for a stellar ride.
Pan-Pot, the Techno and House kings made my night as they took the stage and provided us with their well-balanced compositions that have timeless energy and spirit. Expecting nothing less than perfection Pan-Pot delivered by enveloping the crowd with a combination of original tracks and mixes that filled the soul. Operating in their own Techno frequency, Pan-Pot defined their set with a will to make contact with the crowd by utilization of their musical adaptability. Whether this was the first time or the 40th time you heard Pan-Pot, you were a fan forever longing to hear their Techno interpretations. I wanted this set to last all night long.
Getting his turn on the stage of floor one Ricardo Villalobos started his set playing a minimal Techno set. Wanting to pass on the torch with his music knowledge, Villalobos did not hold back as he explored the genre with his strong percussive sound that made the warehouse tremble with emotion. His set took me back to my Tunnel days and I couldn’t stop smiling as he picked smooth and direct songs to create drama relatable to all. Whether you are feeling happy, sad or somewhere in between, Villalobos always seems to strike a nerve that is appropriate for all.
Richie Hawtin, another minimalist legend, was on at the same time as Villalobos so I found myself going back and forth from floor one and floor two several times during their sets. Pumping out his Electro House sound, Hawtin provided an exciting and engineered set with twists and turns that could be felt everywhere. No stranger to artistic inspiration and experimentation, Hawtin continued to push boundaries as he played his set to fans enthusiastically anticipating his every move. I felt transported by the whistling synths and freely flowing beats creating a sense of exploration appropriate for a time warp.
Amelie Lens closed out the night with her high energy Acid and Tribal House and was the perfect choice to finish the first day of this festival. There was no slowing down with this show and you could still feel the energy from the large crowd that stuck around to absorb it all. Lens provided a spark to keep the Techno flame going all night long.
*Time Warp NYC | Image Via Adán Jones*
