PEGGY GOU LIVE AT LONDON’S GUNNERSBURY PARK

★★★★★ (5/5)

PEGGY GOU LIVE AT LONDON’S GUNNERSBURY PARK
PHOTOCREDIT: CHARIS LYDIA BAGIOKI

For those who have not been able to go to Ibiza for a wild party or to a Berlin club, don’t worry, because Gunnersbury Park had turned into a giant summer party since 4pm. With a unique and eclectic line-up and a much promising headliner, people in West London gathered up to have a party like no other.

With the British summer feeling very much like the South of France, Gunnersbury Park filled up early during the first two sets. If Taylor Swift’s gigs going on in London has taught us anything, then the word ‘opener’ for a big name means a lot to young artists. Duo Hiver and DJ Sally C have been exactly that – great openers to Peggy Gou. Hiver for example are a collective of DJs that perfectly bridges the gap between the US and Europe, with electronic hits and hypnotic beats, the deep house music echoed in the park as people gathered slowly in the afternoon sun. Hiver have a very refined approach to their set, creating an immersive experience for their fans. They are famous for their seamless flow of tracks and precision, and if you don’t take my word for it, their debut in the Boiler Room of Milan speaks for itself.

More people were present during Sally C’s set, where the atmosphere was a bit darker and edgy. Sporting a topical ‘Free Palestine’ top, Sally C came on stage to have people shake their bodies in the sun early on. She is a standout DJ and producer, blending vintage house, acid, hip hop and breakbeat, with obvious Berlin influences in her music. She is known for her raw and ‘chunky’ basslines, banging drums and trippy vocals, and her set did not disappoint. Festival-goers and ravers present at Gunnersbury Park seemed to have a great time, while her ‘underground’ vibe was a perfect and seamless follow-up to Hiver’s set.

Sally C shared the stage with LSDXOXO before he completely took over, with the crowd now being much more enthusiastic. He is a very dynamic force in the electronic music scene, known for electrifying and boundary-pushing sets. Having even the security of the venue dance and vibe along, the energy of the set was infectious while the genre-blending set was amazing to experience. Ghetto house, hardcore, electro, techno and US-Berliner sounds created a very innovative sequence, while LDSXOXO’s unapologetic personality shone throw in his sassy dance moves and facial expressions – which are a pleasure to photograph. The set was thrilling and received a great response from the crowd, dancing relentlessly in the summer sun, making it feel like we were not in the centre of London but on an island in the Med.

Next up on the bill and final one before the much anticipated performance of Peggy, was Brazilian DJ Mochakk, a name that has grown in popularity in recent months, showcasing why he’s rapidly becoming a favourite in the electronic music scene. Standing much higher above the crowd, he instantly had the crowd in the palm of his hand with a very energetic and dynamic set blending house, techno and funky beats. Slowly introducing more tech-house elements, Mochakk’s set comprised of seamless blending of the tempo and interesting (and maybe unexpected) additions of Latin-inspired rhythms that had the crowd dancing and vibing along intensely. One of the highlights was Mochakk dropping some of his own tracks into the mix, brining a vibrant and fun atmosphere into the park as the duck fell. The visuals behind him, with trippy graphics, complemented the performance and created an amazing set for the day, pleasing the crowd and resonating with the audience. If you are a house music lover, his sets are a must see, especially given how quickly he rose to fame and much expected from a DJ who has entertained crowds across the globe.

Going back to my favourite DJ this year, I was very eagerly anticipating Peggy Gou’s performance tonight. For those living under a rock, Peggy Gou is not just a DJ, she is a cultural icon, whose influence extends far beyond the decks. She is a producer, having released ‘Starry Night’ (the ANTHEM of electronic music), a fashion icon among the likes of Nike and Louis Vuitton, an advocate for diversity and representation in the music industry, an ambassador of Korean culture and an artist to watch. She has performed in Berlin’s nightclub Berghain (and this by itself is enough to love her), and worldwide festivals including Coachella, Glastonbury, Sonus, Primavera Sound and Virgil Abloh’s Off-White fashion show. Seeing her in London on a night like this is not just a need, it’s a must.

The crowd was completely ready for Peggy since 4pm, with people dressed up as giraffes (a nod to her fashion label Kirin translating to ‘giraffe’ in Korean), lobster hands or balloons (another nod to her recent images and album covers), as well as the infamous fish-and-chips merch for London exclusively, there was no denial that her performance in London was eagerly anticipated. Making a star appearance during Mochakk’s set and then taking on the stage on her own, Peggy’s performance was electrifying – a masterclass in modern electro music. The lightshow behind her created an amazing nightclub-like atmosphere despite being open-air, the dancers were magnetic and her unparalleled ability to blend genres created a deeply immersive experience.

From the outset, her set was a seamless journey through house, techno and disco, infused with her signature style that includes elements of Korean influence and a meticulous track selection that keep the energy high and the crowd entertained. After the first thirty minutes of intense partying and dancing, she brought out the man of the moment, Central Cee, for a collaborative stage that had the crowd in a chokehold. The track’s infectious rhythm and catchy hooks had everyone cheering and vibing along and as the darkness fell the lights became even more intense.

Her performance slowly integrated her own songs from her newly released record, highlight of which was ‘(It Goes like) Nanana’ that had everyone singing along, as well as a remix of Charli XCX’s ‘Guess’, the song of the summer since its release. Her performance was a reflection of all her accomplishments and her global status, because it was not just about the music but about creating a holistic immersive experience for her crowd that brings together sound, style and substance. The dancer’s stage presence was also highly impressive, enhancing the overall experience and pushing the boundaries show productions. It was a transformative experience making me forget where I was, thinking that I could be dancing in a nightclub in Berlin, or the Boiler Room in New York, because that is exactly Peggy’s magic.