Every now and then, a rare occurrence pushes the realm of electronic dance music to transcend. A glimpse into a sonic rapture that inspires and feeds the soul. And this past Saturday, February, 11th, Eric Prydz just delivered that.
Photo Credit: Mariano Lugones / BAN TALENT / Mandarine Park
Presented by BAN Talent, in his first-ever appearance in the electric city of Buenos Aires, due to a well-known fear of flying, Prydz quenched a thirst that had been unattended for too long. In an unparalleled event, the Swedish superstar elevated the bar to unprecedented heights with a stunning audiovisual show that sets him apart from the rest by lightyears.
In a packed Mandarine Park, a scorching dancefloor raised the blistering temperatures of the Argentine summer to the welcoming beats of Mariano Mellino. Balancing grace and sheer power, the Sudbeat stalwart laced beats with dashes of irresistible colors as everyone found their places, met up with friends, and hit the bars for what would be a truly unforgettable night.
By 2 AM, as the schedule dictated, Mellino handed over an effervescent crowd that was brimming with anticipation. After a short interlude that only made the craving grow, it was time for Eric Prydz to take control.
With a world-class reputation, Prdyz’s ever-eclectic career has seen the Swedish producer imagine countless hits that cover a wide array of sounds and styles. From the cross-over sensation that is ‘Call On Me’, to his tantalizing ‘Opus’, the artist has never been one to shy away from experimentation, pushing the boundaries farther away, defying expectations in his unique manner.
More than just a career-spaning set, Eric Prydz delivered the ultimate clubbing experience. A gargantuan audiovisual journey that stimulates the senses with an unstoppable rollercoaster of his own creation. An endless waterfall of energy, Prydz blazed through rolling basslines, acid lines, and some of the most breathtaking melodies Buenos Aires has ever witnessed. From Pryda to Cirez D and on to standout edits, including his takes on Calvin Harris’ ‘Flashback’, ‘CamelPhat & Cristoph ft. Jem Cooke – Breathe’, and a mindblowing tribute to the late Maxi Jazz and Faithless, Prydz took us somewhere we’ve never been with a masterclass for the ages.
Engulfed behind a sea of led panels, Eric became a one-man show. No VIPs behind him, no clout, no posturing. Just a man with a forward-thinking narrative, standing behind dystopian visions, thunderstorms, paradisiac sunrises, and an endless tapestry of high-gloss interweaving worlds that co-existed in a magnificent entropy that only a very few had seen before.
In an over-stimulated scene that seems to revel in becoming a copy-of-a-copy-of-a-copy, these are the nights we live for. This is why we became clubbers. This is why we love electronic dance music to its beautiful core. These are the nights that unite; convert first-time goers into devoted zealots; the nights that push new kids behind the decks; the nights that turn DJs into storytellers, and the nights that push people back into the studio looking for something more. These are the nights that take electronic dance music forward.
A special thanks to Ban Talent and the gorgeous Buenos Aires crowd for an event the city will never forget.
