Martin Garrix // Gunnersbury Park, London
Sonic spectacle delights thousands
★★★★☆ (4.5/5)
Saturday saw DJ superstar Martin Garrix make his triumphant return to London as he ended a seven-year hiatus from the city. Making up for lost time Garrix headlined his biggest U.K. show to date alongside a bonanza of supporting electronic music artists, influences and collaborators.
Doors opened early, and eager concertgoers streamed in from 1 p.m. The weather smiled on the day, as grey clouds broke to reveal warm summer sun. The audience wasted no time in starting the fun, immediately embracing the support lineup, which brought lengthy sets of electronic dance beats.
By the time Garrix took to the stage, the chilled greenery of Gunnersbury Park had become an EDM playground pulsing with an electric sense of anticipation. Immediately, the Dutch superstar, fresh off sets from Tomorrowland and Lollapalooza, brought his distinctive mix of cathartic drops, chart-topping anthems and mind-bending visuals.
His setlist was a masterclass in festival programming, weaving together classics like “Animals” with newer songs and iconic tracks from a decades spanning list of artists such as MGMT and Coldplay. Each drop was timed to perfection, and counter-played against the suspense-building parts of the set.
Throughout, Garrix maintained a magnetic stage presence which captivated the thousands in attendance as he led them in audience participation movements. His stagecraft helped to further elevate the frenzy in the crowd, allowing artist and audience to share a symbiotic exchange of energy.
Solidifying the experience were the visuals, staging and pyrotechnics. Together, transformed the park into a transcendent experience. As lasers cut through the night sky and frequent bursts of fireworks punctuated particularly impactful moments in the set.
This medley of audiovisual delights led to an unrelenting enthusiasm from the audience. The concert became more than a day of music, it became a communal experience.
The return of Martin Garrix to London stood as a testament to both his iconic status and his continued relevance in the world of electronic music. As he left the stage to a supernova of fireworks, he left behind a crowd that was euphoric. Joy could be seen on every face as the assembled throngs made their way from the park for one last time.
REVIEW BY: SAM MCNAUGHTON
