What started out as doing photos and videos for my friend, La Patilla, turned into one of the most fun nights of my life. From watching the show backstage, to meeting one of the biggest DJs in the world, Bounce Boat will definitely be an unforgettable experience. Read on!

La Patilla

I came to meet DJ La Patilla in a pretty weird way. The first time I played at Webster Hall, we were both slotted for the balcony. I was playing at 10, and he was playing at 1. But, at the last minute, he got bumped up to the main stage. So, I ended up playing both of our sets! We never got to physically meet, but we’ve been Facebook friends for about two years. What’s funny, is I didn’t to meet him in person up until a month or two ago, when I lent him my DDJ-SR for a gig! We actually have a great relationship.

Patilla is an incredibly talented music producer. From big room, to Jersey club, to deep and tech house, any listener can tell that Patilla never half-asses a job. His final mixes are crisp. The kicks punch, and the nuances in percussive elements make for a seamless, rolling drum line. He won the Insomniac Records Discovery Project in 2016, and got to play at EDC Las Vegas. Despite playing at one of the biggest music festivals in the world, he is the most humble person I know. He has a genuine love for the music, and uses his achievements as a driving force in all he does. Patilla takes everything on from beginning to end, even shooting and directing his own music videos. So, when he invited me to come shoot video at the Laidback Luke show, I knew I was in for a treat. I was going to see a great show, and shoot video, something I love to do, but rarely get to.

The Boat

We got to Pier 36 in Manhattan before the boat docked. I wasn’t complaining – we got an unobstructed view of the sun setting over the Brooklyn Bridge!

The boat itself was really cool. The mainstage was supported by the dancefloor, as well as two wraparound balconies. It reminded me a lot of the ballroom in Webster Hall. Backstage was really spacious, and I got to have some fun shooting Patilla’s sound check from different angles. Laidback Luke is a Denon DJ, so in addition to the standard Pioneer CDJs, the sound tech’s had shipped in the new Denon SC-5000’s. From what I heard, they were opened straight out of the box!

La Patilla was the first DJ of the night. He played a tech house set that definitely got the heads moving. “It’s not much of a house crowd, with the headliner and all,” he told me. “I’m just warming up the floor, so I’m not trying to go too crazy.” To me, that’s the trademark of a good opening DJ. They can manipulate the crowd in a certain direction, building them up, teasing a little, and keeping them at a decent energy to carry through the rest of the night. When Patilla played Hot Since 82’s remix of “Bigger than Prince,” I couldn’t keep the smile off my face. Later in his set, he debuted his original remix of Drake’s “Passionfruit.” Check it out in the video below:

Mike Bugout and Inpetto played the next two sets. They’re both on Luke’s label, Mixmash Records, so it was a privilege to see them play, too. Bugout kept the vibes going, playing an EDX-influenced set, that I loved. It went hand-in-hand with Patilla’s. Inpetto really brought the noise. He did a great job of getting the crowd ready for LBL. His set was one big buildup: the last half hour was drop after drop.

Laidback Luke

LBL hung out with us backstage for a few minutes before his set. He is the most humble, genuine guy! He pulled La Patilla aside to tell him that he liked his set. For one of the biggest DJs in the world to give props, to someone who isn’t on his label or in his inner circle, is really admirable. Luke and I also got to talk for a brief minute. I told him that I admire how he preserves the realism in DJing – he really keeps the culture alive.While I’m sure he’s heard similar compliments all the time from thousands of fans, he was really appreciative and sincere in receiving thanks.

This dedication to DJ culture was definitely present in Laidback’s set. He opened up with some of his classic tracks, like “Show Me Love” and his remix of Benny Benassi’s “Cinema.” From there, he kept it old school, dropping in throwbacks like DJ Sammy’s “Heaven,” and even alternative anthems like “Livin on a Prayer” and “Killing in the Name,” between big-room-style drops. At one point, he dropped “Satisfaction” by Benny Benassi and the crowd went WILD! His entire set really made me appreciate the dance music that I had grown up with and long forgotten.

All in all, I am especially thankful to La Patilla for bringing me to a night I would never forget. Laidback Luke, after over 20 years as a DJ, effortlessly proved that he’s still got it.

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