The MID, Chicago’s EDM mecca, rang in its two year anniversary celebration on March 8th with perennial favorite, British house music legend Carl Cox. With over 1,000 in attendance, the two-story venue could barely contain the near-mosh pit mania that lasted well into Saturday’s early morning hours.

The show did not disappoint, with the veteran taking to the decks, vibeing off the ebullient mood that permeated the sold out house, bumping and grinding for a beautifully long five-hour set. Paying homage to his over 30years of experience, Cox’s soulful house-hard techno set list featured newer tracks (from All Roads Lead To The Dance Floor) while tipping his hat to the decades of musical influences that make his appeal so transcendent. Opening with a groovy downtempo, melodic track, Cox instantly established complete control of his dance floor. Mixing syncopated melodies, rhythmic four-on-the-floor bass lines, and incendiary synth sounds with flavors of disco, rare groove and hip-hop, he kept partygoers on their feet (and off the floor) from start to finish.At 50 years young, Cox showed no signs of burning out or fading away as fans echoed lyrics off tracks, both new and old, without skipping a single, heart-thumping beat all night long.

When the lights finally turned back on at 4am, a sweaty still-packed house lingered, proving the Carl Cox experience is not a show you want to miss.

- Chicago Writer : Sarah Barrett -