Freemasons Ferry Ferry Big NYC Concert
by Steve Weinstein
EDGE Editor-In-Chief
Tuesday Sep 15, 2009

If you have ever lost yourself in the best goddam mind-blowing mash-up remix of the ’00s (at least in this writer’s not-so-humble opinion), “Love on My Mind,” get set for the dance event of the summer, as Britain’s Freemasons storm the Battery for their first-ever New York City appearance.

Yes, it’s a British invasion of Lower Manhattan. The red coats will be based on Governor’s Island, an urban paradise between Manhattan and Staten Island. Mercifully untouched since the Coast Guard abandoned it several years ago (please, Mayor Bloomberg and Gov. Patterson, do not develop this property!), Governor’s Island has been a little-noticed jewel until a spate of articles in the New York Times and other publications have revealed its splendors.

The concert space on the island is being managed by the good folks at the High Line Ballroom (the site of all those way-cool Blowoff parties). Toffer Christensen, the lead booker for Water Taxi Beach, as the venue is known, explains that High Line’s association came about through New York Water Taxi, which runs those beach parties in Long Island City.

“They wanted this to be live music space,” he explains. “They do DJs. So we put together a deal with them to do shows. We did a few shows on Governor’s Island, so we did have experience getting bands on and off the ferries–so it was logical to work with them.”

Christensen acknowledges a little resistance on some concertgoers’ parts to take a subway to a ferry, but “this year, there’s been an awakening about Governor’s Island,” he says, referring to the spate of media attention. “People are discovering this place. Once they’re there, they can’t believe it’s here. It’s more of an education process for concertgoers than an obstacle.”

A state-of-the-art sound and light system is already in place, as is a large stage. Of course, this will be a DJ event. What makes it unique is that it will bring together the two disparate dance communities of straight folks and gay boys (and gals). The event is being presented by the Saint-at-Large, those bad, bad boys who put on the annual international flesh fest the Black Party, as well as other parties and concerts.

So yes, this will be a mixed crowd. But we’ve mixed berfore, most notably anyplace where the platter spinner is named Victor Calderone (who, BTW, did a concert earlier this summer on the island) or Junior Vasquez. Just remember that they like to face the stage for some odd reason; and they don’t take their shirts off (which, considering how hunky some of them are, is a real shame).

They also: drink less water, more beer; smoke on the dance floor; and spend a lot of time walking to and fro. Oh, and a lot of them are way better dancers than we are (sorry, truth hurts).

The real reason that is a-cap-E Event, however, is not because you will be witnessing Non-Homo Americanus, but the Freemasons. Trust me, if you’ve been on a dance floor anytime over the past five years, you’ve heard them.

They’ve produced or remixed for every single-named diva on the planet, from Shakira to Beyoncé, Kylie to Kelly. But its their work with the husky-voice Amanda Wilson for which they may be best known. Word on the street is that a Freemasons concert features their own music exclusively, and there’s a party in the DJ booth.

It’s almost weird to imagine that this super-DJ duo, possibly the most sought-after in the world right now, has never played Gotham. But that’s what makes this concert so special.

The Freemasons will be mixing it up from 6 p.m. until midnight on Sunday, Sept. 20. Tickets include water taxi to and from Lower Manhattan. Go to the Saint at Large for tickets and more information.