Just a couple of weeks ago, downtown Cleveland was the scene of all kinds of excitement. If you were a sports fan, you were riding on the wave of energy from the Indians’ home opener, or maybe you were high from the recent Central Division championship win by the Cavaliers. If you are a music lover, you may have been in the hoard that descended upon Liquid Nightclub. With support from the Columbus-based DJ, Corrupt, the crowd swelled around Liquid’s circular bar, and partied into the morning hours. Just like that, the “Home of Rock N Roll,” was temporarily transformed into the “Home of Trance.”

Never afraid to embrace music, Clevelanders took to the dance floor early to groove with Corrupt’s blend of house and nu disco. Bouncy beats started to get the crowd riled up, and then a state of trance took over— it was the masterful conductor everyone was waiting for, the legendary Paul Oakenfold.

Oakenfold transformed the scene into electronic heaven as part of his North American “25 Years of Perfecto Records” tour— celebrating a massively successful career on the label.

The three-time Grammy nominee showcased his talents by connecting with a crowd in a city that isn’t usually top of mind for EDM. While many DJs tend to mix together their successful singles with remixes of catchy “crowd pleasers,” Oakenfold used his set as any founding father of the modern electronic music movement would—experimenting with new sounds.

The crowd, a combination of drunken sports fans, steppers, and trance-heads took well to the experimentation. With a wide mix of ages present, it was a reminder of the power of music — uniting different generations from all walks (or steps) of life.

As it continues to undergo its modern-day Renaissance, it is clear that Cleveland is primed to host more shows like this, bringing people together and offering a wildly good time.

Article and photos by Matt Shlonsky