After a lengthy nine edition-run, Defected Records bid their Virtual Festival farewell on May 22 with a bombastic lineup and Carl Cox to reign in the closing party. The venerated British selector occupied the headlining spot for Defected Virtual Festival’s final showing, spinning alongside Boys Noize, MK, Idris Elba, and more. Taking to the decks live from Melbourne, Cox seamlessly delivers an hour-long set of unmatched energy on par with his legendary status.
The Virtual Festival closing encompasses selections from Darius Syrossian, Elio Riso, Jose Nunez, and more picks. The set also features an exclusive remix of Geraldine Hunt’s “Can’t Fake The Feeling” from the Ibiza staple. Journeying through a curatorial collection of house flavors, Cox dips into tribalistic tints, underground learnings, groovy beats, and disco euphoria as he mixes a steadfast dance floor pulse until the very end.
Oh yes, oh yes.
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Make no mistake—dance music is born from black culture. Without black creators, innovators, selectors, and communities, the electronic dance music we hold so dear would simply not exist. In short, dance music is deeply indebted to the global black community and we need to be doing more. Black artists and artists of color have played a profound role in shaping the sound and culture of dance music and now more than ever, it is necessary for everyone in the music community to stand up for the people that have given us so much. Dancing Astronaut pledges to make every effort to be a better ally, a stronger resource, and a more accountable member of the global dance music community. Black Lives Matter—get involved here:
National Lawyers Guild Mass Defense Program
Colin Kaepernick’s Know Your Rights Legal Defense Initiative
Committee to Protect Journalists
Featured image: Ultra Music Festival