Year on year Djakarta Warehouse Project, the jewel in South-East Asia’s EDM crown, has repeatedly exceeded expectations and rightfully asserted itself as the biggest event of its kind in the region. From humble beginnings as a small club-night, to welcoming its largest turnout to date this year, DWP 2019 closes the decade as one of dance music’s greatest success stories.
Celebrations on day one got underway with the Bhinneka Tunggal Ika moment, featuring the traditional Indonesian Kinang Kilaras dance routine at the Garuda Land mainstage. Then came the music, and punters were spoilt for choice with three dazzling stages and over 25 DJs to choose from. Warm up sets from Devarra, who dropped Indonesia’s national anthem right after his performance, and Blasterjaxx, who played an Indonesian hit song, sent the crowds into a patriotic frenzy and laid the groundwork for the night’s headliners.
Yellow Claw was up next, and the Dutch duo did not disappoint. Having gained mass appeal in the country, the duo dedicated their set to the archipelago, enlisting the help of viral Indonesian keyboardist Arindi Putry, before inviting on stage local legends Ramengvrl, Sihk and YB. Their label, Barong Family, took over stage 3 for the day with super-charged sets from Wiwek, Moksi, and Ghastly.
Zedd and Martin Garrix‘s return to DWP capped off a spectacular first day of festivities, not least of which saw the pair join each other on stage for an iconic moment few will forget for a long time.
Day two was a day of firsts, with DWP debuts from EDM mainstays Krewella, who packed out the Neon Jungle stage with back-to-back bangers, and Disclosure, who donned the Garuda Land mainstage for the first time to a rapturous reception.
Elrow‘s ‘El Triangulo de las Rowmudas‘ made its Asia debut at DWP too, welcoming the very best in house music from Claptone, Meduza, Marc Maya, Riva Starr, Chelina Manuhutu, Mario Biani, Hyde, and Okiocto.
There were welcome DWP returnees too in the likes of R3HAB, Oliver Heldens and Fun On A Weekend, all of whom kept the energy high throughout the day. The job of rounding things off was left to EDM stalwart, Skrillex, who delivered one of the most memorable and amped-up sets of the weekend.
With energy levels low, day three artists had their work cut out to keep crowds from waning, but they rose to the challenge in style. International party-starter Martin Solveig kicked things off, with help elsewhere from Patricia Schuldtz, Yako, and DWP first timers Chromeo.
Another debut came from R&B icon, Tinashe. Riding a wave of success following the release of her long-awaited album, her first performance in Indonesia was an unforgettable success and one that will remain etched in the minds of fans for years to come.
Over at the D’Empire stage there were mesmerizing sets from Yung Bae and Motez, while Jonas Blue delivered one of the most impressive performances of his career at the Garuda Land stage.
Last, but by no means least, came the turn of global phenomenon, Calvin Harris. Returning to DWP after a seven-year hiatus, the super-star DJ along with his custom stage design, wowed revellers with a plethora of hits that made for a fitting end to proceedings.
After the three nights it’s safe to say that attendees were left awe struck by the sound, lights, pyrotechnics, stage design, and talent on offer, a welcome reminder of the awesome nature of an event like Djakarta Warehouse Project.
With the dust now settled, fans can begin the countdown to DWP 2020 which will no doubt take things up another notch.
