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In today’s music scene, electronic dance music (EDM) is most widely represented in the form of artists like The Chainsmokers and Zedd, who produce a more pop-influenced style of EDM—but the trance subgenre is still alive and thriving. Award-winning DJ and producer Paul van Dyk proved this on Saturday, May 13, when he and the opening acts Alex M.O.R.P.H. and Heatbeat successfully filled Montreal’s New City Gas. The venue, a large industrial warehouse-type structure, was crowded by people both on the floor section and in the V.I.P. booths which line both sides of the venue.

Known for being one of the pioneers of the trance genre, Paul van Dyk’s show in Montreal excited many fans of all different ages. As could be seen in the crowd at the show, there was no specific age group that were present—from 20-year-olds to middle-aged men and women, van Dyk’s music visibly appeals to individuals of an extremely wide range.

While the shows’ openers set the tone for the night early on with some chest-rumbling trance songs, the entire atmosphere in the venue transformed when van Dyk’s set began. At around 1 a.m., Paul van Dyk took the stage to unleash epicness upon the hundreds in the crowd, and took each and every attendee present, on a futuristic journey of exploration.

As the first track of his set rang out, slowly increasing in speed and intensity, confetti was released from the ceiling, showering the crowd in colourful pieces of paper. As many attendees tried to catch some of the falling paper, after the pleasant surprise, the powerful light beams that light up the stage and crowd, changed from red to blue, and continued continued to alternate, creating an even more trippy experience.

Paired with the psychedelic, colourful visuals displayed on the huge screen behind the DJ table, van Dyk’s voiceless electronic songs simulated some type of voyage through space. Almost every human sense was triggered as his set progressed, and it is safe to say that reality seemed a little less concrete for those few hours, in the dark, rumbling warehouse.

Photo by Immanuel Matthews.

This Saturday, Montreal will welcome Grammy-award winning DJ and electronic music producer Paul van Dyk at New City Gas as part of his ongoing North American tour. CJLO has taken the time to speak to the man himself about his upcoming show, his passion for music, and his newest music and plans.

How does it feel to be back in Montreal? Are there any memories you have of the city?

I’m thrilled to be back in Montreal, it’s certainly one of my favorite places to visit in Canada. I always feel so much genuine love from the crowds here.

How do you feel about your upcoming show? Who's going to be there? Anything the crowd should be ready for?

Alex M.O.R.P.H. and the Heatbeat guys will be joining me for the Montreal leg of the tour. I’ll be playing a lot of the records that are out on my label, Vandit. There’s a lot of good music being made and I’m so happy to have gotten a chance to put it out. Jardin, Mohamed Bahi, Leroy Moreno, all fantastic producers right now. I try to make my shows as enjoyable as I can for both devout electronic music fans, and for people who have never heard this music before in their lives.

You’ve been doing music for over twenty years now. How would you say you’ve changed as an artist through that time (in terms of sound, but also as a person)?

Throughout my career, I have realized that it is always better to create music that personally resonates with me, instead of trying to make hit records. Similarly, it’s best to work with other like-minded musicians who share the same passion for the music, rather than simply collaborating with popular artists based off their reputation.

What keeps your passion going for so long?

This music is truly my greatest passion in life. It’s what drives me and I’ll always be making electronic music as long as I’m able, even when I’m an old man! Touring the world and meeting people from every country and culture imaginable is an incredible perk of being a musician.

Your career shows many different endeavours: albums, singles, but also film soundtracks, even videogames. What would you consider your most exciting project? Which one are you most proud of?

Well obviously I am very proud of the work I did on The Dark Knight soundtrack. My album Reflections is probably the project I am most proud of, and of course I am honored that "For An Angel" still finds its way into discussions, even today!

You've released a single, "Touched by Heaven," a little over a month ago. Can you tell us about it?

The track is a very personal one for me, as this was the first song I made after the accident [in February 2016, Paul van Dyk suffered a severe brain injury following an on-stage fall]. In fact, the name of the track is somewhat a reflection of how I felt after the accident. I was very close to actually dying, hence I got a little taste of heaven before returning to reality. This was actually one of the first songs I made after my accident last year so it is very personal song for me.

Are there any plans for another new release coming up?

Yes! I will have an album coming out later this year. I can’t tell you too much about the upcoming album, but it’s certainly one of the most meaningful projects I’ve created in my entire career. I’m so excited to share it with my fans.

Any last few words for your Montreal crowd?

Thank you for all of the support of the past years—I’m so excited to see you all again!

Main photo by Christoph Köstlin. Live photo by Rudger Geerling.

On what was the tenth leg of his Secret Garden Tour sponsored by Red Bull, Jazz Cartier took over Le Belmont on May 3 and put on a performance that perfectly captured the high octane spirit of his music.

Although the show started an hour late, Jazz Cartier, J.I.D, and Levi Carter gave the sold-out crowd the madness they came for.

Anticipation grew as ticket holders waited patiently for Levi Carter to hit the stage. Luckily, once he did, all was forgiven. Relatively unknown, Carter won the crowd over within the first song of his set, thanks to his undeniable energy and catchy hooks. Carter’s command of the audience was most evident once he performed “You’re Not Gang,” he had just about everyone in the building yelling out, “Who are you!? You're Not Gang!”. Banger.

Dreamville newest member J.I.D was the second artist to hit the stage. If you know anything about J.I.D., you know he has no shortage of bars, and lucky for us, the man has clearly mastered the art of breath control. J.I.D never missed a single word—his voice cut through instrumentals like butter, making every bars as audible as an audiobook .

Shorty after, Jazz Cartier hit the stage. He came out to “100 Roses,” dressed in the finest of Fox Racing apparel, and the crowd went crazy, as they should. Cartier didn’t wear motocross gear for no reason—he took full advantage of Belmont’s infrastructure during his set. While performing “Red Alert,” not only did he demand the crowd make the biggest mosh pit possible, he did it while standing on top of the bar, his head just inches from the ceiling. Jazz could have stopped there—he could have easily came down the same way he got up—but instead he treated the lighting fixture like monkey bars and climbed over the crowd, and rapped while hanging upside down. I would not have believed this if I didn't see it with my own eyes! To say Jazz Cartier put his all into the performance is an understatement.

As the crowd dispersed at the end of his set, a general look of awe was on everyone’s faces, the sign of a job well done.

Image credit: Jazz Cartier Website.

CJLO presents your weekly show picks for the week of May 8th. 
On Friday May 12th, Bar Le Ritz is having a Planned Parenthood Dance Party as a fundraiser in support of US Planned Parenthood facing federal funding cuts. Entry is by donation, and the event starts at 11.
Also on Friday May 12th, CJLO co-presents Perfume Genius and Serpent with Feet at Theatre Fairmont. Tickets are 20 in advance, 23 at the door. Doors at 8. All ages.
On Sunday May 14th Isaac Vallentin, Pallice, and Special Solace will play at Le Cagibi. Admission is 7$. Doors at 9pm.
Bar Le Ritz and Le Cagibi are wheelchair accessible and have gender neutral washrooms.
There you have it, your weekly show picks for the week of May 8th.