Gig Review: Daddy’s Groove at Royalty, Mumbai

Italy has been known the world over for many things. The fine wines, pizza, pasta, Venice, Michelangelo and of course the Corleone family. However, a new breed of change-makers are spearheading a movement nowadays – the ones we call DJ’s. Gianni Romano, Carlo Grieco, and Peppe Folliero are the powerful musical force known as Daddy’s Groove who joined forces in 2006, having already gained great experience from Carlo and Gianni DJing throughout Italy, and are already familiar in the Italian club scene.

Hailing from Naples and with a maverick instinct for Domestic/European productions as well as a long and deep knowledge of the International clubbing scene makes Daddy’s Groove one of the most prolific names on the dance music circuit. Garnering much success after their track ‘Falling’ catapulted them to stardom and onto the playlists of major DJ’s around the world. Labels such as Warner Music, Border Breakers, Atlantic, Polydor, EMI, Geffen, Parlophone, Axtone, Defected Records, Strictly Rhythm approached them for their productions and remixes. Daddy’s Groove have gone on to remix artists such as Kylie Minogue, Whitney Houston, James Blunt, Enrique Iglesias, Nabiha, The Wanted, Axwell, Louie Vega, Prok & Fitch, Cerrone, Atfc, Michael Canitrot, Norman Doray & Tristan Garner, The Shapeshifters, Quentin Harris, Sandy Rivera among many more. Their remix for ‘Leave the World Behind’ caused for many dance heavyweights to sit up and take notice of this talented trio. With so many remixes on their portfolio, their productions too are nothing short of ‘stellar’. Characterized by generic electro layers masked behind endless layers of bass and synths, their each production offers something fresh along every curve. Their sets however are packed with energy as they proved to be dancefloor slayers at Royalty, Mumbai with a tracklist of current club anthems, all with a certain unpredictable twist. The night celebrated the highly awaited Enchanted Valley Carnival – one of the premier dance music festivals of India, to be held in December at Amby Valley. Indian as well as International artists are part of one of the most exhaustive lineups any Indian music festival has ever seen, and we just can’t wait to be part of this eagerly anticipated event.

The night began with resident DJ Priyanjana spinning out some classic deep house and tech tracks, setting the mood and warming up the building crowd. Priyanjana, who happens to be in ADE this weekend, has gradually risen to become one of the most promising DJ’s of India. Her sets are curated of thoughtful energy as she transitions through various genres with ease. We got a taste of her skills as she played tracks such as Joachim Pastor feat. Florence Bird’s “Wayfaring Stranger (Original Mix)”  and Booka Shade’s enticing “Love Inc (Booka’s Deep Inc Mix)” . Changing tempo and adding that funky disco sound with Betoko’s “Space Invader (Nhan Solo Bring You To Alderaan Remix)”  before making the atmosphere euphoric with the gratifying “WYV AUW CHU’ (Original Mix)” by Tom Middleton . The funk and cheeky sounds of tech house continued with John Creamer & Stephan K’s “Wish You Were Here (Donatello rework)” , Green Velvet’s “Bigger Than Prince (Hot Since 82 Remix)” and Manuel De La Mare, John Acquaviva & Luigi Rocca’s “1001 Nights (Original Mix)” . Then, at the turn of the hour things certainly heated up as Priyanjana effortlessly transitioned between tech house to club electro as she dropped the recent visitor Alvaro’s “Make The Crowd Go (Original Mix)”  with Calvin Harris & Example’s “We’ll Be Coming Back (R3hab EDC Vegas Remix)”  on its heel. Audience members now stampeded the dance floor as energy and power waved through the venue as Sean Finn’sI retake of “Riders On The Storm (Original Mix)” got everyone in the right mood. With Beltek’s “Eric Goes To Disco Original (Club Mix)” , Daddy’s Groove appeared on the decks, and as a sign of times to come, Priyanjana dropped Daddy’s Groove and Cryogenic’s “Tilt”  as she stepped aside for the Italian giants to take center stage.

A short preview movie, prepared just for the occasion was aired, which briefly showed all the things to look forward to at the Enchanted Valley Carnival festival. From artists that were headlining, to camping sites, to added attractions on site – EVC looks like one of the merriest festivals we are going to see! Daddy’s Groove soon pressed play and unleashed their monster “Stellar” to the already ceremoniously jumping audience members, before dropping the massive Nicky Romero & Sunnery James & Ryan Marciano ft. Fast Eddie’s “S.O.T.U. (Original Mix)”. The bass drops continued with the massive Showtek Feat We Are Loud & Sonny Wilson’s “Booyah (Original Mix)” before there was a classic reinvention with David Guetta feat. Ne-Yo & Akon “Play Hard (Albert Neve Remix)” .

On more than a few occasion in the night, Daddy’s Groove took to the mic to entice the crowd, in their adorable Italian accent. They certainly hit all the right chords with the Mumbai crowd, as the energy was palpable through the night. But listening to the powerful “Zenith” by dBerrie  certainly got us in the right frame of mind! With club anthems such as Sebastian Ingrosso And Tommy Trash Feat. John Martin’s “Reload (Vocal Mix)”, Calvin Harris ft. Ellie Goulding’s “Need your love (Nicky Romero Remix)”  and the massive release of Sick Individuals & Axwell ft Taylr Renee’s ‘I Am’ , the night seemed young and evergreen. But probably the happiest track of the night would have to be Avicii feat. Aloe Blacc’s “Wake Me Up (Extended Mix)”, as smiles were wide and infectious at the venue.

Mashups were the call of the day as Daddy’s Groove were relentless in their onslaught of beats and melody. Mashups with the likes of Swedish House Mafia Vs. Alesso & One Republic “Dont you worry child vs If i lose myself (Alesso Remix)”, Icono pop vs Martin Garrix “I love it (Sick Individuals remix) vs Animals” and the colossal Dada Life vs. Daddy’s Groove “Feed The Unbelievable (DJs From Mars vs. Daddy’s Groove Bootleg Club Mix)” were only like packs of energy drinks being distributed across the audience as Alesso vs Gotye feat. Kimbra “Clash vs. Somebody That I Used to Know (Acapella)”, Swedish House Mafia vs. Example “Greyhound You Kiss Me (Daddy’s Groove Booty Mix)”, Swedish House Mafia ft. Tinie Tempah vs. Zedd & Lucky Date ft. Ellie Goulding “Miami 2 Ibiza vs. Fall Into The Sky” and Eric Prydz vs. Empire Of The Sun “We Are Mirage (Seb Sapet Bootleg)” had everyone almost defying gravity with their continuous jumping!

Announcing the premier of their collaboration with Mindshake called “Surrender” , which was a lovely track with sweet vocals with the characteristic big room sounds, they added “Alive (David Guetta remix)” by Empire of the sun and the epic David Guetta & Glow in the Dark feat. Harrison’s “Ain’t A Party” . The playlist was rich with a balance of big room sounds and a fresh take on almost every track, as the mighty Axwell and Sebastian Ingrosso’s “Roar” was followed by David Guetta ft. Taped Rai’s “Just One Last Time (Hard Rock Sofa remix)”.

And finally with the sweet serenading Daft Punk Feat. Pharrell & Nile Rodgers’s “Get Lucky (eSQUIRE Extended Bootleg Remix)”, we bid adieu to our short but exciting Italian love affair, as Daddy’s Groove applauded the Mumbai crowd and bought the curtains down to an epic night!

Special thanks to the Enchanted Valley Carnival crew and the people at Royalty, Mumbai, for putting together this smashing evening. It was a truly a stellar pre-party, and we can’t wait for the main event.

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Review by: Hamed Khalidi

Edited By: Shule Puri