DJ Daddy Trance in London review: Techno rave blows away expectations

Securing entry to DJ Daddy Trance’s London party quickly became the hottest ticket around on Wednesday morning – and for good reason. Not only was the Thursday night rave at tiny Peckham club The Carpet Shop going to be Marlon Hoffstadt’s first show in the capital since October 2023, but he’s also had several viral Boiler Room moments thanks to TikTok, remixed a Kylie Minogue track, and gained a fan in Tiesto. Unsurprisingly, all 200 free tickets sold out within just one minute, and the “unprecedented demand” resulted in the lucky few being instructed to get down ASAP if they wanted to join the Berlin trance-techno scene leader’s post-work workout. 

And it wasn’t just PR spiel: a lengthy queue lined the graffiti-covered arches by 7.30pm and, once inside the intimate venue, the smoke-filled room was already packed with sweaty bodies – including one girl sporting an ‘I <3 Daddy’ t-shirt (who later snapped a selfie with her hero). The five-hour session had a joyous house-party-like energy – albeit with towering speakers and strobe lights.

Up first, a pogo-ing sim0ne wasted no time ensuring everyone was warmed up as she delivered thumping techno and trance edits of pop hits like Addison Rae and Charli XCX’s ‘2 die 4’. Her own 90s-nostalgic Remedy Club-collab ‘Halo’ proved a highlight, too, as well as her official remix of Lana Del Rey’s ‘Say Yes To Heaven’.

A constantly smiling Malugi then took over with a DJ set that skewed towards UK garage and bassline (including a bouncy if unexpected remix of AJ Tracey’s ‘Ladbroke Grove’). His own beaming track ‘Really Happy’ arrived just three songs in, while his single ‘Reach Out’ had those on the front row doing exactly that as they made heart signs with their hands. A fast-paced edit of Timbaland and One Republic’s classic ‘Apologize’ later had everyone singing at the top of their lungs while bouncing together. 

Then, after selfies with fans up front, came the arrival of DJ Daddy Trance himself, alongside his “life coach” and collaborator Coach Harrison. The pair quickly launched into the track that this party was promoting - ‘Tell Me Daddy’ - a techno-trance earworm that sounds like another surefire hit. What followed was a set full of fan favourites and Daddy Trance edits, including his remix of Drake’s ‘Hotline Bling’ and the huge single ‘It’s That Time’ which had everyone shouting the chorus as if it were the national (rave) anthem.

‘I Got You’ received just as rapturous a response, before he seamlessly mixed ‘Call Me’ into the Kid Cudi-sampling ‘Day N Nite’. There was also enough time to give the new single its second outing of the night, by which point the fitness instructor-style chant was fully embedded in everyone’s memory ahead of its midnight release. Judging by the party’s shared elation and euphoria, the Daddy Trance takeover isn’t slowing down any time soon. It’s only going to get bigger – and we’re fully on board. 

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Check out our What's On Guide to discover even more rowdy raves and sweaty gigs taking place over the coming weeks and months. For festivals, lifestyle events and more, head on over to our Things To Do page or be inspired by the event selections on our Inspire Me page.