For years, Eric Prydz has been a titan of the digital music scene, recognized for his epic, visually beautiful HOLO and EPIC exhibits. These multimedia spectacles have, at occasions, felt extra like a cinematic expertise than a conventional DJ set. However for followers who’ve been craving for the uncooked, unadulterated Prydz of previous, his set this week at EXIT Pageant was a revelation. In a set that’s already being hailed as certainly one of his greatest in years, the Swedish maestro ditched the flowery visuals and went straight for the jugular, delivering a relentless onslaught of progressive and techno that left the dance flooring begging for extra.
From the opening moments, it was clear that this wasn’t going to be a typical Prydz pageant set. The power was palpable as he dove deep into his document bag, unleashing a torrent of traditional Pryda tracks, unreleased IDs, and blistering Cirez D cuts. The rabid Prydz trustworthy, who had gathered of their 1000’s on the legendary Dance Enviornment, have been in a state of sheer ecstasy. Social media was immediately ablaze with reward, with followers lauding the set as “absolute hearth” and a real “return to kind.”
What made this set so particular was its uncooked, stripped-back nature. In an period the place DJs are sometimes criticized for taking part in the identical predictable hits, Prydz threw warning to the wind and delivered a set that was each difficult and deeply rewarding. It was a masterclass in rigidity and launch, with lengthy, hypnotic builds giving strategy to moments of pure, unadulterated euphoria. For longtime followers, it was a welcome reminder of why they fell in love with Prydz’s music within the first place.
This back-to-basics method is a far cry from the extra industrial, visually-driven exhibits which have dominated Prydz’s current touring schedule. Whereas these exhibits are undoubtedly spectacular in their very own proper, there was a rising sentiment amongst some followers that the music has taken a backseat to the spectacle. The EXIT set, nevertheless, was a strong assertion of intent, a declaration that Prydz continues to be, in the beginning, a DJ who’s at his greatest when he’s misplaced within the music.
In case you’re a fan of Eric Prydz, or only a lover of high quality digital music, you owe it to your self to take a look at this set. It’s a reminder that generally, all you want is a darkish room, an enormous sound system, and a DJ who’s keen to take you on a journey. In an age of instantaneous gratification and quick consideration spans, this set is a testomony to the facility of a real musical expertise. It’s a set that might be talked about for years to return, and one which has firmly cemented Eric Prydz’s standing as one of many best to ever do it.
