In the first couple weeks of September in Toronto each year thousands of people flock to the downtown core daily. The Toronto International Film Festival attracts celebrities and fans of all types. But on Friday the 13th, a day that most people try to avoid doing anything out of the ordinary due to superstition, fans of a different caliber were flocking to the city’s core – Jerome Isma-Ae was coming to town. Born in Munich, Germany; he is one of the country’s finest exports. He has collaborated with artists such as Max Freegrant and Ilan Bluestone and getting plenty of praise from Above & Beyond.
Maison Mercer is a club that I’ve only heard about as an upscale venue and hoped to one day visit. While entering I focused my eyes on the DJ booth and on the location of the dance floor, there was plenty of room for Jerome to do damage. The crowd was made of what seemed like ordinary weekend clubbers and party-goers. But if one looked closely, you’d noticed there are others in the crowd. Peppered among the crowd were eager faces waiting for the opening DJs to make way for the main attraction. Some even sported Anjunabeats gear, homage to the collaborations Jerome has down with those artists signed to Above & Beyond’s label.
And then it began… the club went dark and the lights were in sync with the music. There is no doubt that Jerome was able to mimic the atmosphere to the tune of his set which made the experience that much more incredible. Everyone had their dancing shoes on grooved right to his beat. Playing a wide range of his productions and remixes he had a crowd dancing up a storm for a wonderful two hour set.
To get a sample of the type of set it was one could listen to his two hour set on Anjunabeats World Wide episode #335, but without being there in person you would be missing out on the full quality of the experience. There is no doubt this set truly got Under My Skin and had me leaving the club grinning and most of all, looking forward to the next time Jerome Isma-Ae is in town.
By Norbert de Lendorff
Find Norbert on Twitter – @norbert_l
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