Deadmau5 is a name that has been making very loud noises on the EDM scene. And in more ways that one. After airplay on the most important radio show on the planet, ‘A State of Trance’, and his tracks featuring in virtually every DJ’s set in 2008, the RicoP team were eager to see how the Canadian performed live. Not only was his performance under observation, but the reaction from a crowd that seemed unaccustomed to the global trance scene. Club Matter had opened a week prior to the Mau5trap party and had caused quite a stir amongst the London clubbing community. Nestled inside the 02, Matter is a three-floored, 2600 capacity club that offers the glamour of a star-filled pretentious wine bar with the imposing surroundings of an Ibiza Superclub. The clientele were somewhere in between such opposites of the clubbing spectrum.

Chris Lake was on the decks when the team arrived, spinning his renowned style of uplifting vocal house, interlaced with progressive undertones. We joined the middle balcony to witness the close of his set. The focus then switched from DJ booth to stage, as Deadmau5 complete with novelty illuminating mouse head began preparing for his live performance. The anticipation grew, and as the lights dimmed a cheer developed into a roar as the crowd became impatient. Joel Zimmerman has always been at the forefront of EDM controversy, his rivalry with Marcus Schossow and contentious eight-beat sound causing quite a stir. But for one evening, everyone had gathered to see his highly rated live performance. And he did not disappoint. Effortlessly produced, and seamless mixed, he tore the crowd apart with tracks from his new album ‘Random Album Title’ interspersed with on-the-fly remixes of electro and progressive sounds.

A brief evening, the night closing at eleven thirty, not before the crowd demanded an encore, complete with Deadmau5 in a coat and wearing a backpack returning to the stage. An interesting evening in a packed yet pleasant new club, Joel did not disappoint, demonstrating his amazing technical ability and crowd pleasing antics. Live performances from DJ’s is not something new to the club scene, but perhaps it is something new for the crowd that attended Mau5trap. Joel certainly has developed a unique following. However from a true trance fan’s perspective, some of his greatest remixes and works were absent. Had the night been longer we may have seen some of these surface, but as a final dash was needed to catch the last tube home, maybe they were better left until next time.