How do you explain what magical is? In my mind, magic is something mysterious or supernatural. It’s the enchanting moments that fascinate your inner imagination. For many, magical moments are brief and fleeting, a David Blaine trick-on-the-street. Yet, for others, magic can be captured and created, the artists who can control this wonder and entrance their audience.
Stephen Fasano’s alias, The Magician, is quite fitting. And his stage, U Street Music Hall, was set ablaze as he conjured fire to the ears of countless DC residents. His amalgamation of disco, pop and house was on full display as he brought one of his infamous “Magic Tapes†to life. I was spell bound for prolonged moments as the dance floor shook with inspired hip thrusts, shameless fist-pumping and endless grooves. The crescendos of his set churned from the slow, melodic beginnings to the heavy drops that brought the whole club down — as exemplified by the two major drops in his latest single “Sunlight†that took the sound system and transcended it to what I imagine sounds like God’s voice.
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I accept that this isn’t a real review because honestly, I have nothing bad to say. This was an incredible show that made me reimagine how existential dance music can be. It was one of the best sets I’ve heard ever played on the DJ stage at U Hall. And his fashion sense, Tuxedo and all, is impeccable.
Previously a member of the lionized duo, Aeroplane (who was at U Hall two weeks prior!), he decided go his separate way. Somewhere down that road he found a genie, a lamp, and a magical carpet and ever since he’s been making killer remixes and original productions. My first big memory of his was his re-work of Lykke Li’s “I Follow Rivers†in 2011, however 2014 has been his best year by far — rattling off hit after hit with remixes of Mausi’s “My Friend Has a Swimming Pool,†Zhu’s “Faded,†and of course Clean Bandit’s “Rather Be.†Not to mention, he’s now on his 46th magic tape and they are only getting better.
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Notably though, I was so mesmerized by the show that I couldn’t even tally all of the tracks he dropped that night. His flawless mix of Duke Dumont’s “Won’t Look Back†almost broke the dance floor. His ability to engage with the audience was surreal, almost as if he was there dancing with us. If you ever have a chance to see him live, make it a priority. Or at least check out his music while you wait.
There are few things in life that I can truly say have been magical for me, the night of November 8 was one of them. Well done Mr. Magician, well done.
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