Joonbug is the largest producer of NYE events in the country and with every new year they seek to top the last. Their specialty is the big apple and it’s no secret that New York city is one of the most highly acclaimed destinations in the world for their New Year’s Eve celebrations. Travelers from all over the globe gather on last day of the year not only to see the traditional ball drop in Times Square but to feel the energy of thousands buzzing in the city air.
When it comes to choosing where you’re going to be in the first moment of the New Year there is a lot to consider and it’s not a decision that most people take lightly in a city with so many options. Needless to say, the competition for the greatest NYE extravaganza is stiff and the pressure to pull off a flawless event is phenomenal. Somehow, the people at Joonbug make all this seem easy year after year.
ARRIVAL
From the moment we arrived, every detail was executed with the precision of a military op. There was a cab station out front to easily pick up and drop off guests. There was staff readily available to greet and direct the flow of traffic. We were moved through the lines with incredible ease and brought to the most organized coat check I’ve ever seen. Using an ipad photo check system that registered each coat to a phone number, it was nearly impossible to lose your belongings.
VENUE
The venue was much like a renovated warehouse. Spacious dance space, high echoing ceilings, carpeted flooring. Open bar lasted until midnight and was served from a single circular bar that remained completely overcrowded the entire night (to be expected). For events like these, being VIP has huge benefits compared to regular entry unfortunately.
There were indoor and outdoor bathrooms available to keep lines down. The outside smoking area (although freezing) provided a gorgeous view of the city lights glimmering off of the water and was a nice escape from the crowd when you needed a moment. The event was lengthy so pacing yourself is key.
MUSIC
CEDRIC GERVAIS
Cedric Gervais started the night out perfectly. As the crowd made their way in from the cold, Cedric warmed up the energy without exhausting everyone for the next act. It seemed to me that the artists paid attention to the other acts in the lineup when determining their track lists so as not to play another DJs song before they go on. This is important when performing back to back with 4 other artists of the same genre. Most of the artists, thankfully, made a point to incorporate different genres in their set ranging from electro house to trap to drum and bass.
R3HAB
R3hab performed into the countdown and made sure to get everyone in the spirit to celebrate. There was good communication with the crowd and the vibe was incredibly positive. When midnight struck, confetti rained from the ceiling in a downpour, balloons bounded above head, lovers kissed for good luck and strangers hugged each other to embrace the first moments of a new beginning together. The feeling of pure elation washed over us as the powers of good will and good music combined.
SANDER VAN DOORN
Sander was incredible as always. He kept the energy high with songs that were his own but made sure to mix in tracks that everyone in the crowd would embrace. Singalong songs like “harder, better, faster, stronger” and “pursuit of happiness” were a good choice for a night like this where the crowd wants to be involved more. They also appeal to a lot of people who may not know EDM as well as others but still want to go and have a good time on New Year’s Eve.
SHOWTEK
Showtek held absolutely nothing back for their set. It was high energy from the beginning to the end. Knowing that they were going to close the night for most people, they made sure that everyone would need a wheelchair to get out. Showtek has an arsenal of big room banger tracks in their corner that puts them at the top of their genre in every way. They also have a huge stage appeal that makes you feel like they’re having just as much fun as the crowd when they perform. It was clear they were live mixing and they read the crowd perfectly.
TOMMY TRASH
Tommy Trash was the last performer of the night and by that time most of the crowd was on their way out. Those that stayed were treated to an electro house mix beginning with some SHM favorites and moved through Tommy’s impressive production library. Unfortunately, one can only take so much of the same sound in the same night so after the previous 4 DJs, it was hard to shock the crowd.
It is inevitable that the same tracks will be repeated and keeping the crowd’s energy up for each play is nearly impossible. I was unable to find a sample of this set online unfortunately but to me it was completely outshined by the artists that came before.
OVERALL
A Joonbug event is a great way to spend NYE. You can expect that production will be incredible and the night will unfold without a hitch. Joonbug is an experienced company that will think of everything that could go wrong well before it ever gets the chance.
The performers of the evening made sure to vary their sets with a mix of feel good music that kept emotions high the whole night through and fans moving nonstop. Thankfully not one of them were afraid of changing up their style in the interest of variety because as much as I love house music, throwing in trap or DnB gave some well needed spice to the night.
All photos credited to Joonbug.
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