Marlon Hoffstadt and Malugi in London review: a perfect fit for Rhythm Labs

Marlon Hoffstadt is a Berlin-based DJ and producer who is coming off the back of one of the all-time great Boiler Room sets. A pulsating 60-minute salvo of high-intensity trance bangers has put his name on everyone’s lips, and if his Rhythm Labs show at E1 in London on Saturday is anything to go by, it’s there to stay. 

Hoffstadt (aka DJ Daddy Trance) is leading a trance revival in the UK which has put the likes of DJ Heartstring in some of the most renowned dancefloors in the country. It’s an interesting quirk of 2023’s musical story that trance has come back in such an emphatic way but, when it's done well, there really isn’t anything better. 

Having cut his teeth producing music in his native Berlin while studying for his A-Levels, his evolution since those early releases has been fascinating. He burst onto the scene as a precocious 17-year-old, producing deep, sleazy house tunes on Jesse Rose’s Play It Down record label. Shake That was a bonafide club hit back in 2014, but the chaotic, relentless sound that he embodies now is worlds apart from those earlier releases. It’s a welcome change. He’s one of the most exciting artists in the industry now, as his recent sold-out E1 party can attest. There, he was joined by Malugi, who has been a staple of Club Heartbreak takeover parties (including their takeover of the Autoscooter stage at Melt Festival this summer) since its inception. 

Photo: Marlon Hoffstadt / Instagram.com

As with his Boiler Room set, Hoffstadt predominantly played his own records on Saturday. There were massive reactions to the likes of It’s That Time, which went off massively, and his unreleased Hotline Bling edit. He switched it up with some fresh Flowdan vocals and a few more unreleased bangers, which will no doubt be coming to an “Identification of Music” group near you soon. Malugi absolutely smashed it too, and the chemistry and kinship between them was obvious. They were a perfect fit for Rhythm Labs, who continue to craft some of the most exciting lineups in the nation’s capital. 

Photo: E1 / Facebook.com 

Opening its doors in 2017, E1 immediately put itself on the map with a 27-hour NYE party soundtracked by huge DJs. The venue itself is split into two rooms, with a capacity for 1,500 people across the venue. The main Warehouse room is exactly what we’ve come to expect from newly-built major clubs, with a few nice touches setting it apart from the rest. Foremost among these are the LED screens that hang from the ceiling. 

E1 is one of the best clubbing venues in London without having resorted to any of the gimmicks, which can sometimes detract from the overall experience. With a banging Funktion One sound system further enhanced by Full Fat Audio amplification, a well-laid-out venue, and excellent DJs, it possesses a formula that ought to serve them well for years to come. 

Jonathan Coll

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.

Header: Marlon Hoffstadt / Instagram.com