Tom Fall – Yost Theater – January 11, 2013

Tom Fall
Yost Theater
January 11, 2013

On Friday night, Tomi Fallenius better known by his stage name Tom Fall, blew our expectations for his show at the Yost Theater in Santa Ana. Making his West Coast debut thanks to Trilogy Events, the 27-year old producer-DJ could easily be the next generation of progressive trance or trouse as some like to call it today. He took The Yost by storm through an effortless 90-minute set of a variety of different EDM sub genres such as trance with uplifting melodies and banging house tracks with his own unique twist.

Fall derived much praise in the EDM community after receiving a coveted spot on Armin Van Buuren's A State of Trance 550 at the Ministry of Sound in London. His take on dance music, personal edits, mash-ups and remixes made Fall's performance memorable and contagious putting him on any EDM enthusiast's radar. Having reworked songs for artist like Van Buuren, Cosmic Gate, W&W and Morgan Page he now has a debut album slated to release on Armada Music. With so much hype around the Finish artist it was no wonder the Yost Theater was packed as can be despite the unbearable cold weather.

See Also:
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tyDi Talks About Progressing Away From Trance

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Huntington Beach native Aaron Marcus tore it up as the opening selector getting everyone excited and on the dance floor in anticipation for Tom Fall. Marcus did an incredible job of playing a mostly progressive set that was on fire just like his Insurgent Radio podcast. Trilogy Events brought out all their bag of tricks to amp-up the production value as the lasers and lights adorned the room. The sound was on point as the theater filled up with EDM fans, trance lovers and industry folks supporting the event. We also couldn't help but notice the lack of trashy go-go dancers that usually distract you from the artist and music. Instead they had memorizing aerialists and acrobats that swung from ropes and curtains from the ceiling.

Though Fall may be somewhat unknown in the United States it was evident that he has been nurturing his craft as a producer and DJ for a very long time. The journey he took us on with his music was something of a mystical ride that can only be experienced in the insidious world of electronic dance music. With mash-ups like Nari & Milani vs. Michael Woods & Duvall's “Last Atom on the Earth” the crowd grew wild hearing Fall's take on the popular anthems. The VIP bottle service filled up and the booze flowed endlessly while the people on the dance floor were packed like sardines at what felt like an actual rave. The crowd had an infectious vibe as everyone was ready to let loose and party as hard as they could. Glover's were giving light shows and dance-offs were happening at every turn. When he played songs like his remix of W&W's “Nowhere to Go” the entire room was singing along armed with their glow sticks in the air.

Fall's set was everything we expected and more as he brought a unique blended style of dance music that proves why he is one of today's most sought after remixers and producers. Confetti and fog filled the room as giant balls where thrown around the sea of people who were chanting up the woo woo's and begging for more – always a sign of a good party. In fact the energy was so great that the owner had to allow the music to go on longer for Fall to play one final song. He ended with his remix of Armin Van Buuren's “J'ai Envie De Toi” which has the perfect interludes and melodies to end his already impressive build ups and heart racing set. If this show proved anything it was that trance is not dead and is only coming back stronger than ever with higher BPM's and house like influences.

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Personal Bias: I especially loved how Fall spliced together current hits with classics like Swanky Tunes & Hard Rock Sofa's “The Edge” vs. Red Hot Chili Peppers “By the Way.”

The Crowd: I'm pretty sure at least a hundred people in attendance were all from the EDM Madness Facebook group which included a large Asian crowd as well as plenty of industry locals.

Overheard in the Crowd: We got asked for Vick's or gum on several occasions – popular with those on ecstasy.

Random Notebook Dump: Contrary to what some say the Yost Theater staff was very friendly and helpful especially when one of my girlfriends lost a very expensive jacket.

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