Capping off a busy weekend that including a headlining stint at SoCal massive rave Beyond Wonderland and a sold out show at Hollywood’s Henry Fonda Theater, Groove Armada decided to host a free intimate gathering at the newly opened W Hotel in Hollywood. Word was spread via a few select email lists and tastemakers, that is until the duo announced the “secret” show on KCRW the morning of March 22. A flood of RSVPs came in from loyal fans not willing to drive to San Bernadino or shut out of the sold out show. Yet despite the drama, this showcase of both the immense talent of Groove Armada and the new center of Hollywood, remained an intimate affair.
The hours of 7pm to 11pm on a Monday night don’t usually contain parties, but Los Angeles definitely made an exception to witness the turntable skills of Andy Cato and Tom Findlay. Entry into the new hotel was fairly simple. By capping the list despite the large response things remained manageable. The chic and modern lobby of the W gave way to a cozy courtyard with the DJs set up just a few feet off the ground. There was just enough room to get your dance on, and dance they did. From the moment that Andy took the decks at around 9, it was an all-out funky house assault. Tom joined him about half way through adding to the energy. The duo dropped some of their hits like “Super Stylin” mixing it up with current dancefloor blazers from Major Lazer and classics from the likes of Underworld. The normally reserved Hollywood crowd was all smiles and moving feet. While it remains to be seen if the new W will truly be a beacon for the dance music community, on this warm March evening it definitely made a lasting impression.
- Norman Mayers
Photos by Liz Robertson
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