My review of Eddie Halliwell- Keeping it real.

[Tortures Dionysos]

I would like to say that I am very happy that Eddie was brought back to Dallas, TX. I wondered if he would make it back after I stopped promoting. Luckily Steve has taken over bringing trance acts to Dallas... so Eddie returned.

Now, for my really honest review of the show (since I don't promote anymore, I don't really have to worry about stepping on toes or pissing people off).

Eddie lacked a lot of luster last night. Mind you, he was good, but it wasn't the Eddie I saw going nuts on a stage 2 years ago. Why? Well, I think a few factors played into his decent set that wasn't "wow":

1) He has been playing in Ibiza at his residencies, and he took 3 days to come to the US... he had been to Chicago, San Diego, and then Dallas... between jet lag and just working his butt off... it looked like he was tired. Let's face it, who wouldn't be tired?

2) There just wasn't a crowd at the club. Eddie FEEDS off a crowd. It was a pretty good turnout, but I would guess the headcount was around 600 people. In a club as large at the Lizard Lounge, it's HARD to make it look packed, unless you pull around 1,000 people. In a smaller venue, it would have been packed for Eddie.

3) His timeslot got pushed back. Someone (? who made the decision, I don't know?) decided that Eddie should go on at 1:00 instead of 12:00... was it so Eddie could rest more? Was it to pull more of a crowd? Who knows. But, the largest crowd was there when they thought Eddie was coming on, at midnight. After that it started to thin. At 2:00 people cleared the hell out.

4) Cosmic Gate being brought 2 days before Eddie. Let's face it, that pulled the crowd, and they weren't coming to Eddie... due to lack of money? Being tired? Who knows. But, it was pretty darn obvious on the boards that people were going nuts over C.G. and not Eddie (which isn't always "reality").

5) It has been so long since Eddie has been to Dallas, the people that saw him before, really aren't partying anymore. I honestly didn't see the people I use to see at my shows in the past. Maybe they were busy? I am not sure people really know him like they use to.

6) It's REALLY HARD to do a party the night before a holiday or on a holiday. BOTH times I did a show on Thanksgiving eve, they bombed. It was horrible. There I was with a DJ I flew from the UK, with 500 people in the club (if that). As a promoter, you think people will pack the club, but for some odd reason... they don't! So, you can have a DJ that everyone knows, and the club might be empty.


Overall, it was a good set. Nothing wrong with it at all. A very nice flow, smooth mixing... but there was that special something missing... that he use to bring to the stage. Maybe he doesn't play that way anymore? Maybe his tricks are more subtle these days? Maybe he's a more mellow DJ? I really don't know. Maybe the Eddie I saw last night is the one that took over the guy I saw 2 years ago?

Honestly, I watched him for about 30 minutes, and then I was somewhat bored and I sat down. So, I may have missed his amazing tricks? I may have missed when he started to own the crowd and get them involved with what he was doing?


Otherwise, great job Merritt! Jayson... great job on opening for Eddie! And I heard some of Dylan Sinclair at the end... very nice as well.


Overall, it was a good night, but nothing that "wow'ed" me. But, I wonder if I can really be "wow'ed" anymore? Who knows?

[maverico]

Merritt set was on point as always and Jayson you tore it up. Nice crowd as the night progressed. I didn't get to see Eddie but had a great time anyways.

[qdial]

I agree with your post 100%. I debated hard whether to go or not due to money and being ass tired. I probably shouldnt have gone. Having said that though, I had a great time. The crowd that showed up was great, good vibe, lots of smiling.

What was up with the stripper gogo dancers though? Nothing like a bunch of drunk guys giving a girl money for dancing I guess. haha Props to them for making money.

I came into the video bar to see a dj in red tearing it up. Anyone know who that was? The talent was really good. Props to Merritt for playing to an empty dance floor. I don't know if anyone gives him the props he deserves, if it wasnt for him and his edge club we might not have a scene in dallas at all.

Jason Gold was really good, I enjoyed watching him work it up.

I got what I expected from Eddie, he reminded me a lot of old school PVD. I stayed through his set as long as I could before I decided it was in my best interest to drive home while I was still awake!

Anyone got any pictures from the show?

[Dionysos]

I just want to know why Mary was trying to slap the crap out of that guy upstairs.

Merritt was good, even played a couple tracks that reminded me of old Felix Da Housecat-type Chicago house tracks. Jayson did well as well though a couple of the tracks were a bit too epic for my taste. Eddie was solid but unspectacular. he wasn't bad by any stretch, but after hearing all the reviews of previous gigs in Dallas and catching clips of him online I was expecting more. As Karen said, maybe he was tired, maybe he just wasn't into it because of the relatively sparse crowd, who knows. His set was about on the level of Markus Schulz' set from a couple weeks back imo. Like I said, it was solid but not memorable.

[Bookie Pimp]

karen, it was GREAT to see you again after all these years!! And, I enjoyed meeting your boyfriend as well... Very solid dude.

I think your post is spot on. I said many of the exact same things last night as the show was progressing. It's GOT to be tough to come into a smaller venue like the LL to play to 600'ish people after being accustomed to headlining a 6K seat club weekly in Ibiza....

I spoke with Eddie's traveling partner Ben for awhile, and he told me that they were dog-assed tired and couldn't wait to get down for some rest...

At any rate, it was great to see you and all the old gang that came out last night as sparse as we were!!

[Zerep]

Anybody got track listing he played a straight banger towards the end of his set that I got to know what it is......

[la dj]

i had a blast seeing old friends while eddie was doing his thing. he did what he could with the cards he was dealt.

jayson played quite well too.

i was just really tired from cosmic gate to get out of control the way i normally do.

i'm old and stuff.

[debbier]

We caught the show while we were in Dallas visiting family this weekend (I’m from Minneapolis). We had just seen Eddie back home a few weeks ago and we thought the show was a little better than it had been up north. My only complaint is that everyone there was so young! It felt like the average age was 18. Guess that’s my fault for going to a 17+ club, but back home the scene is a little older. Was anyone else there 29 like us?

P.S. Not trying to start an internet fight on old ravers vs young ones, just checking to see if anyone else felt this way.

[jayson_gold]

Originally Posted by qdial

I came into the video bar to see a dj in red tearing it up. Anyone know who that was? The talent was really good. Props to Merritt for playing to an empty dance floor. I don't know if anyone gives him the props he deserves, if it wasnt for him and his edge club we might not have a scene in dallas at all.

Jason Gold was really good, I enjoyed watching him work it up.

Thanks! I had a great time playing that night.

The guy in the red was NodaFunk. He is a real badass on the decks! I think he might have been a real good choice to open or close for Mr. Halliwell with his own turtablist tricks!

I noticed as well that Eddie looked worn out. I was really looking forward to hearing an energetic off the walls Eddie Halliwell set but it just didn't seem there?

Maybe the lack of people in front of him? Maybe the long road trip? Maybe the lack of alcohol in his system?

Either way, he is still a badass and I still loved what i heard. good tunes

[MsLuckie leo]

Originally Posted by debbier

We caught the show while we were in Dallas visiting family this weekend (I’m from Minneapolis). We had just seen Eddie back home a few weeks ago and we thought the show was a little better than it had been up north. My only complaint is that everyone there was so young! It felt like the average age was 18. Guess that’s my fault for going to a 17+ club, but back home the scene is a little older. Was anyone else there 29 like us?

P.S. Not trying to start an internet fight on old ravers vs young ones, just checking to see if anyone else felt this way.

Hehehee welcome to the LL. I feel a little to old to be hanging out at the LL but I will go every once in a while. The LL just pulls a young crowd.

[maverico]

Jayson threw out some demo's at the show. I have been listening to it in the car. It is very well done. I love track 5. Keep up the good work!!!

[jayson_gold]

Originally Posted by maverico

Jayson threw out some demo's at the show. I have been listening to it in the car. It is very well done. I love track 5. Keep up the good work!!!

thank you sir!

I should have some more of them out at the Absynth lounge this saturday and at afterlife that night as well!

anybody else want one then swing by!

[Tortures Dionysos]

Originally Posted by debbier

We caught the show while we were in Dallas visiting family this weekend (I’m from Minneapolis). We had just seen Eddie back home a few weeks ago and we thought the show was a little better than it had been up north.

If the show in Dallas was BETTER than it was in Minne.... then I hate to think how bad it was.

Gosh, where is the Eddie I use to know? Who would get on the decks, pull off some mad tricks, get the crowd yelling for more, and going nuts? What happened to that Eddie?

OH well. I guess that Eddie is a thing of the past.

[Mister Ed]

i was standing right there when mary was trying to beat the shit outta Noda. not sure what was going on but it was funny.

but yeah i remember seeing eddie the last time he was here and it was nuts. the crowd just didnt show up. i think it was mainly due to a monday night. alot of people still had to work tuesday. all in all though, he is still the man. saw all of Jayson set...bad ass job...i went home and busted out some old trance records after that night!

good job to Noda...not much for house but i was getting into it over in the video bar.

saw a little bit of Andy up on the roof but mainly stayed for Storm-E!!! bad ass as always!

had a good night and hope to be making it out alot more soon! you gotta love our local scene! we have some talent.

[wetgroovin]

the show was ok for sure. eddie was spent from traveling so much. rest assured the kid can bring it much harder and better.

karen regarding moving the set time back. you as a promoter should know that you do not put your headliner on until the room fills up somewhat and at the time of eddie's initial set time people were just rolling in so i moved it back...a wise decision.

being the holiday we probably did not have as many people there as we could have but i wanted to bring eddie back to dallas and show him a good time...which he did have.

i was happy with teh show and all who played and helped set up.

hope all of you had a rockin 4th of july!

see you july 21 for christopher lawrence & photek. bitches better show up!