[EVENT REVIEW] RADIUS CHICAGO ENTRANCED DURING EPIC MK AND SONNY FODERA B2B

Ally Leomporra | November 16, 2023

When Fridays roll around in the windy city, electronic music enthusiasts are always eager to escape the cold and gather for a night of rhythm and dance. November 11th was no different, as fans gathered in the famed Chicago venue, Radius, to watch iconic duo MK (Marc Kinchen) and Sonny Fodera perform what could only be described as piano house heaven. Local Chicago DJ Chester Fields warmed the crowd up with his electrifying set, setting the foundation for a truly special evening.

MK, an American DJ and producer, gained prominence in the early '90s for his remixes of tracks by various artists, his mix of Nightcrawlers' “Push the Feeling On” is one of his most iconic works. When teamed up with Australian-born DJ and producer Sonny Fodera, the duo is unstoppable.

Sonny and MK have proved to be synchronous in their music, creating soulful masterpieces together, such as “One Night” with Raphaella and their recent top-charter, “Asking,” featuring Clementine Douglas.

MK and Fodera took the stage before midnight with a subtle introduction, slowly building anticipation for what was to come. The duo took the crowd on a sonic journey marked by evolving house beats and a visual spectacle that left a lasting impression.

The lasers created a unique and trippy array of colors, expanding and contracting perfectly in-tune with the music. Flashing lights and lasers from above and behind the duo added an extra layer of visual delight, with on-screen visuals alternating between vibrant shapes and trippy static images.

The crowd erupted with enthusiasm as the duo delivered a mix of electronic music anthems, from the pulsating beats of Fred Again.., to the infectious tunes of FISHER and John Summit. Sing-alongs ensued as MK performed his classics, including “Piece of Me,” “Push the Feeling On,” and his timeless hit “17.”

The duo amped up the crowd with various Dom Dolla tracks, showcasing their individual collaborations with the Grammy-nominated electronic music icon. Sonny took the deck for “Moving Blind” and MK for “Rhyme Dust.” Dom Dolla's newest hit, “Saving Up,” also made an appearance, as the crowd jumped up and down while singing along.Whether MK and Sonny were alternating on the decks or mixing together, their tight-knit relationship was evident through the constant exchange of smiles and contagious excitement. Sonny's energetic attempts to hype up the crowd, whether dancing alongside MK or jumping on his back, added a playful dynamic to the performance.

A highlight of the night was the debut of a new record on John Summit's Expert's Only label, “Losing Control,” with Odd Mob and OMNOM.

The duo masterfully incorporated crowd favorites into their set, from the soulful rendition of “Use Somebody” to an unforgettable mix of Dr. Dre's “Still D.R.E.” The atmosphere reached new heights as the crowd passionately sang along to MK and Sonny Fodera's anticipated hit, “Asking.”

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Sonny took a moment to shine with his track “Remember,” with Gorgon City. Surprising the audience, he brought out Stevie Appleton, the vocals on the track, to join him on stage. Following the song, Stevie remained standing between the duo dancing and singing his vocals featured in John Summit's “What a Life.”

In a night filled with pulsating beats, electrifying visuals, and a surprise guest appearance, MK and Sonny Fodera's b2b show at Radius left a lasting mark on Chicago.

Photos courtesy of each of Ally Leomporra and Radius Chicago.