In March of this year I was one of thousands of Robbie Rivera fan packed onto Nikki Beach to take part in one of Miami Music Week’s best and most legendary parties, Juicy Beach. As a native New York, I’m the first to say that there is no place to party like NYC, but conversely , when standing in the middle of hot sexy bodies in the Miami heat at Robbie’s party, I couldn’t help but wish NYC had its own Juicy Beach. Little did I know that our friends at Made Event and Robbie Rivera had that same exact wish…

On Saturday, July 14th Robbie brought a piece of Miami to NYCs tiny beach getaway, Governor’s island and transported us away from the concrete jungle and right into his massive Juicy Beach party. He hand selected Manuel De La Mare, Paige, EDX, Stefano Noferini, and Sultan & Ned Shepard to join him in this first (and hopefully annual) installation of this venerated electro house gathering.

The last time I saw Robbie was at Pacha NY several weeks ago for his Dance or Die tour. Teaming up with Bassjackers, Robbie Rivera unveiled what will be celebrated as the best album of his career. Robbie loves playing in NY because as he says “I get to play more underground [tracks] than in other cities, simply because the fans are educated”. He brings it hard because that’s what New Yorkers want.

Rivera took the party into overdrive immediately, opening with the Atomic Bangers remix of his massive track “Move Move”. The words “We Love Electro House” appeared as if to explode behind him as the horns from the track blew and ignited the crowd unlike anything I’ve ever seen at Governor’s island. Robbie didn’t let up throughout his two hour set, delivering tracks off his album, like Forever Young and In the Morning Featuring Wynter Gordon meticulously woven into tracks like Knife Party’s Rage Valley and Sandro Silva & Quintino Epic.

The most unexpected and track of the evening for me was The Temper Trap’s Trembling Hands (Benny Benassi Remix). Robbie Rivera demonstrated his DJ prowess by dropping that track. Imagine thousands of us raging our butts off one second to collectively exhaling together and holding each other the next second. It was a special moment for everyone in attendance and cemented Robbie Rivera as one of the best DJs I’ve seen in a long time. As the song came to a close I began to walk towards the ferry and transport myself back to reality.

With my back to the stage, Robbie Rivera closed with his song Departures (Cosmic Gate remix), and I thought to myself I really hope this isn’t the last time Robbie brings Juicy Beach to NYC. After all wishes do come true, and maybe, just maybe Robbie and Made Events were wishing the same thing again too.