On a closed-off stretch of Hollywood Boulevard, this Brazilian showcase felt less like a concert and more like a cultural statement, signaling the arrival of a new, genre-defiant sound. Led by rising dance music star Mochakk and supported by fellow DJs Beltran and Classmatic, the event displayed why Brazil is taking over the electronic music scene.
The venue was a perfect match for DJs whose music oftentimes embodies the spirit of a gritty block party rather than a sleek hyperclub. Walking past the numerous storefronts, many of which were open and filled with partygoers, was one of the coolest experiences I’ve had at a show this year. Framework (the organizer of the event) continues to provide Los Angeles with shows that not only bring some of the preeminent dance music talent but also feel like unique homages to the city and its landmarks.
Other than some intermittent sound quality issues — which were mostly resolved in time for the headlining performances — the presentation of the show was fantastic. Given the unorthodox nature of the venue, Framework really hit it out of the park.
Before the show’s headliner, there were several support acts displaying the myriad of burgeoning Brazilian house music styles. Classmatic’s set featured a more rhythm-focused blend of Western and Brazilian groovers — definitely the most patient and hypnotic performance of the bunch. Beltran, who came on next, was a different story entirely.
Although he wasn’t listed as the headliner, Beltran certainly performed like one. Judging by the sea of hi-vis construction vests throughout the crowd — which has become his signature visual theme — his set was hotly anticipated. Compared to the other DJs on the lineup, Beltran leans much more into the left-field sides of house and techno, featuring chunky rhythms and grinding basslines — a groove that feels like a cross between the dance floor and the factory floor.
In short, his set was electrifying. A particular standout moment was his unreleased remix of Marc Houle’s “Techno Track,” which blew the metaphorical roof off the place. Nobody should be surprised if he’s headlining a show of his own in the very near future.
Despite the hype behind the supporting acts, this event belonged to Mochakk. What separated his set and his overall appeal as a DJ was the unpredictability and eclectic nature of his song selection. His set spanned classic disco, 2000s-era techno and modern pop music in a way that felt completely cohesive and natural.
In a current house music landscape in which most up-and-coming DJs seem content to imitate a select group of DJs — be it Chris Stussy, Michael Bibi, Marco Carola, etc. — Mochakk is a breath of fresh air. His sets feel daring, mostly in the sense that he’s truly unafraid to be weird (during some moments, maybe a little too weird for this particular crowd). Few DJs make jumping from style to style, from groove to groove, and from era to era seem so effortless.
In some moments, Mochakk feels like an old-school breakbeat DJ spinning a block party, the next he’s dropping some of the most futuristic techno tunes you’ll hear at any show. He’s a DJ who shows immense reverence for the dance music’s forefathers, but simultaneously feels like a glimpse into the genre’s future. Above all else, Mochakk’s performance bleeds confidence, a confidence that carried his set throughout its three-hour runtime.
If anybody was still doubting, this event displays that this new generation of Brazilian dance music artists has officially arrived in the mainstream. However, what excites me most about this current strain of house music is the way that these artists have harnessed influences from around the dance spectrum to forge a sound that pushes the scene forward. Brazil has not only emerged as a hotbed of talented DJs and producers, but also a reminder that there’s plenty more space to innovate in dance music.