On Friday, Jan 20th, Houstonians were treated to an energetic show by one of DJMag’s quickly rising stars, Morten. DJ Morten is a Danish DJ and producer who has been active in the EDM scene for several years. He began his career in the late 1990s and has since released a number of successful singles and albums. He has also been a regular performer at some of the biggest music festivals around the world, and worked with several notable artists in the industry, most frequently working with David Guetta. He is particularly known for his upbeat and energetic style, which often incorporates elements of house, techno, and electro. Considered one of the leading figures in the Danish electronic music scene, Morten has quickly made a name for himself with his dynamic performances, and continues to be a popular and influential figure in the global dance music community.
Because Stereo Live is widely known for hosting many of the greats, it presented the perfect atmosphere for Morten’s highly innovative and energetic set. Spirits were high and tensions were low. Dance floor occupancy grew rapidly, with at least 100-200 patrons before midnight, dancing and laughing with their friends. Many seemed to be celebrating a special occasion, and drinks flowed in a steady yet responsible fashion. I myself was there to celebrate a good friend’s birthday, and he and I agreed that it was definitely a show that will be fondly remembered.
One of Houston’s local legends, Vance Lawrence, kicked things off by setting the perfect mood for the night with his fusion of techno/trance. Vance has opened up for well over 100 acts and tours, as well as performed at multiple festivals, so it was a pleasant surprise to see him open for Morten.
Meanwhile out on the patio, DJ Grin was providing some immaculate shuffle vibes with his usual Bass
House flair. Back inside, Surain took the stage shortly before midnight, playing his usual mix and match of Hip-Hop and Big Room hits, from early 2000s to now. His choice of hit singles, paired with thumping “boots and cats” underneath, made for a clean transition into the final set of the night, and the real reason most of us were there.
Finally it was time. The lights dimmed, and the room was filled with recording phones, ready to catch the moment the legend took the stage. Morten, sporting a plain black t-shirt and a tiny man bun, wasted no time at all, and dove straight into his familiar brassy synths by opening with “Dreams”, followed by some vocal floaters to tease the crowd for what was to come. His visuals displayed a tasteful and classy blend of Greek statues, industrial tunnels, mountain ranges and forests, but frequently returned to an image of a polar bear with piercing blue eyes, seemingly referencing his own appearance.
It wasn’t long before his classic staccato synth melodies kicked in with “Kill Me Slow”, in the middle of which he dropped a surprise Psytrance break. Following that was a slew of classic trance hits, such as “Better Off Alone” by Alice Deejay, which he fabulously transitioned into David Guetta’s “Play Hard”. And even though Morten played mostly self-produced music throughout the night, he kept it fresh with clever blends, such as “I’m Good (Blue)” transitioning to “Innerbloom” by Rufus Du Sol, and his latest single “The Drill” right into David Guetta’s remix of “Pepas”. He then ended the night with the virally popular “Do It To It” by ACRAZE.
While Morten did deny the crowd’s request for “one more song”, the high production value of Stereo Live combined with his sheer live mixing talent, made for a night that the shuffling and crowd-control- participating guests won’t soon forget.
A big thank you to Morten for coming to Houston and blessing us with such a performance!
You can check out more of Morten on Soundcloud and all other social media platforms
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Daphne Blakborn is a driven and motivated individual, known for her passion and dedication to her work. With a strong background in music history and writing, her innovative ideas and unwavering commitment to excellence have garnered recognition from her peers and have helped drive her success. In her free time, Daphne enjoys cuddling dogs and playing instruments. She is always looking for new challenges and opportunities to grow both personally and professionally.
