Show Review: Carl Cox at NYC's Output

Carl Cox shocked the dance music community when the kingpin DJ/producer announced he would be playing a very rare, open-to-close set just a few hours before new Brooklyn haunt, Output was scheduled to open. The DJ booth at Output is located only a few feet away from the floor, but the focus is no way LED wall’s or pyro. Music is top priority here. Just a simple array of colored pin-spots and wash’s greet the crowd’s eyes.

Come performance night, Cox exercised the club’s state-of-the-art Funktion-One sound system. The veteran was as enthusiastic as the crowd, and played the beautiful six hour set while dancing alongside his party disciples. Boisterous winds swept NYC last week, giving the Big Apple an extra air of exhilaration and fervor. The line wrapped around the building, filled with people dancing to keep warm. Partygoers buzzed of past sets and experiences had with the techno legend, as newcomers eagerly anticipated what to expect.

Cox took to the decks, like a king to his throne, opening with a groovy downtempo, melodic track that instantly established complete control of his dance floor. As the night progressed he took his fans on a wild ride fueled with non-stop rhythmic bass lines and mesmerizing melodies. Armed with 4 CDJ’s and his RMX1000 for a plethora of effects and on the fly loops, Cox created build ups out of (seemingly) nowhere, morphed sounds into melodies and at times dropped entirely new song from scratch, or so he’d have one think.

Six hours later and still, nobody wanted to leave. The mass of people inside Output lingered, making it clear that the Carl Cox experience is one not to be missed.

Catch him on our list: 20 Acts You Must See at Ultra Music Festival 2013.

Photo Credit: OSABOSA