- The arrival of Tiga's live show to New York felt like a long time coming. Ever since the Turbo Recordings boss debuted his new set-up on the European festival circuit last summer, North American fans have been waiting their turn. After a run of dates back in March were postponed due to issues with "technical stagecraft stuff," the action shifted to Halloween weekend. That meant New Yorkers not only got Tiga's final live show of the year, but possibly the last-ever in its current iteration.
Halloween is a big deal in New York, but this was still a Monday night in chilly October. With the streets around Music Hall Of Williamsburg quiet at 10 PM, a modest gathering of witches, giant hot dogs, skeletons, unicorns and regular Tiga fans assembled inside for Riton's warm-up set. The Ed Banger affiliate had an hour to set the tone, deciding to go all-in on drum-heavy house and electro. Delivering a succession of big club tracks, including Green Velvet & Patrick Topping's "Voicemail" and his own "Rinse & Repeat," his set was efficiently exuberant but short on surprises. That said, working in Tiga-appropriate throwbacks like Felix Da Housecat's "Silver Screen (Shower Scene)" was a neat touch.
With its intimate layout and disco ball shimmering overhead, Music Hall Of Williamsburg was a fitting venue choice, but the turnout was certainly smaller and more reserved than it might've been on a Saturday night. Nonetheless, Tiga and his live partner Jori Hulkkonen appeared to a warm welcome, taking their positions in front of an expansive video wall that had moving shutters like a Venetian blind.
Most fans know Tiga as an understated DJ in his ever-present baseball cap, but his live presence was closer to the sardonic sartorialist he channels in his music videos. With Hulkkonen doing most of the hands-on work, including the electronic drum pads, the star of the show was free to strut and sing. The setlist was a streamlined hour, opening with "Bugatti" and pausing only for the occasional quip or "thank you." Given how distinctive a Tiga track can sound in a DJ set, it was a rare novelty to hear them threaded together, from this year's "No Fantasy Required" back to his personal favourite, "Pleasure From The Bass."
The show's secret weapon, though, was the visual design by French director Helmi and the Pfadfinderei collective. The images playing behind Tiga and Hulkkonen were a perfect balance of abstract shapes, Kraftwerk-inspired pop art and unapologetic kitsch, helping to elevate some of the set's flatter moments. Tiga, smiling and appreciative throughout, was smart to save his decade-old hit, "You Gonna Want Me," for the end. For that ecstatic finale, the crowd danced like tomorrow wasn't Tuesday.