[EVENT REVIEW] Bob Moses Headlines Surreal Sunset Cruise for Brooklyn Mirage

Joe McCarthy | July 25, 2023

In the days leading up to Brooklyn Mirage’s opening sunset cruise of the season on July 21, the forecast showed thunderstorms. But in keeping with New York’s novel status as a subtropical climate zone, the storm clouds scattered by midafternoon, clearing the skies for a blazing sun to test how well fans of beloved instrumental house act Bob Moses had applied sunscreen.

The event was being held at Pier 40 on Manhattan’s west side aboard the largest party yacht rental in the city, the Cornucopia, which boasts two lavish levels below the top deck that are embellished with chandeliers, baroque carpeting, and gilded mirrors. The boat definitely felt more Atlantic City than Bushwick, but it added to the excursion’s indulgent feel. Bars were available on the two lower decks, along with bathrooms, and ample seating. Anyone who needed to take a break from the strong sun, or just wanted to regroup with friends, could chill at one of the many tables.

Even while docked, the views from the top deck were stunning, and people wasted no time snapping selfies against the skyline. The music started around 6:00, with local DJs Tolga and M!NT warming up the crowd with easy lounge beats and sunny grooves. The boat launched around 6:30, taking guests on a loop of the Hudson River.

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Brooklyn Mirage is known for its commanding sound system that capably handles top artists from around the globe and, despite the interference of wind, they managed to deliver a crisp sound experience on the Cornucopia. By the time Bob Moses took over the decks, the crowd was sun-kissed and ready to dance.

You could hear the sound engineers turn up the volume, enveloping the front of the house. It felt like the party officially started with Peggy Gou’s song-of-the-summer “(It Goes Like) Nanana.” From there, people were smiling, singing along to the chorus, and throwing their hands up, all while trying to stay balanced as waves crashed into the boat.

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Bob Moses sang some of their tracks, including “Afterglow” and “Inner Light” while mixing songs throughout the two-hour set.

They gave a nod to techno favorite Michael Bibi, who’s currently battling brain cancer, with his remix of the 2009 Audio Bullys song “Different Side.”

The remix of “Yo Quiero Una Nena” by Jay Ancor captured the surreal feeling of partying on the dark seas while watching the concrete-and-steel outline of New York lit by apartment bulbs, streetlamps, and floodlights.

Followed by Jamie Jones’ remix of the Bob Moses song “Enough to Believe”, suffusing the night with a pollyannaish spirit that hit its high mark as the boat passed the glowing Statue of Liberty.

For the first sunset cruise of the season, the event had relatively few kinks. Fans of Vintage Culture have a lot to look forward to when his show sets sail on August 12.

Leaving the boat posed a bit of a challenge as everyone had to stream down two staircases to exit across a ramp, but since it was so early in the night, everyone still had plenty of energy to burn.

Some people were making their way to the live Bob Moses show at Brooklyn Mirage that was just getting started, while others were heading into other parts of Manhattan or Brooklyn. Everyone, it seemed, held onto the buoyant energy of the cruise as the night unfolded before them.

Photos courtesy of Brooklyn Mirage.