Live Review: Eric Prydz Presents HOLO 2023 @ Rod Laver Arena

Platinum-selling Swedish DJ/producer Eric Prydz makes his highly anticipated return to Australia with his internationally acclaimed ‘HOLO’ show, bringing it to the southern hemisphere for the very first time.

Tonight, he plays the first of three exclusive Melbourne shows at Rod Laver Arena as part of the final weekend of Victoria’s ALWAYS LIVE celebration of live music.

DJ Sardi warms up the audience that packs in from the hot and windy Melbourne conditions. Usually, the front of the floor area closest to the stage fills up the quickest, but for this show, it’s the opposite because the best view in the house to see the full picture of all the visuals in their glory is front-on from the back of the floor area. 

From the moment global dance innovator Eric Prydz begins his performance, he instantly captivates the audience by seamlessly blending tracks from his extensive catalogue of progressive house and techno into a cohesive audio-visual journey. With a jaw-dropping display of tech-forward magic and musical talent, he transports ravers to a futuristic dance concert for an immersive experience like no other. 

With cutting-edge technology, including LED screens with 3D holographic effects and state-of-the-art lighting that runs across the ceiling to the stage, it’s a mesmerising and exciting sensory multi-dimensional spectacle that continues to innovate and evolve since its inception.

For visuals that vividly come out of the screen the way they do, we’d expect to have to wear some sort of 3D glasses, but the impressive production allows us to get that same experience with our very own eyes. It’s so realistic we almost want to reach out and touch them.

Synchronised perfectly with Prydz’s music, the visuals create an epic display that has us in awe of every changing moment. The production is extraordinary, from life-sized astronauts and robots to blue whales, trains and reaching hands. A sea of mobile phones fills the sold-out arena with people desperate to try and capture and share the essence of the mind-blowing visuals they’re witnessing.

Prydz’s flawless mixing showcases his ability to blend dance genres effortlessly with a series of progressive builds to control the energy in the arena at all the right moments. His masterful set ranges from uplifting progressive house anthems to dark and heavy techno tracks, taking the audience on an emotional rollercoaster. 

The continuous and intense set takes us back to visuals of a star constellation between moments of song transitions and strobe lights and laser beams shoot across the arena as a song reaches its peak. The second half of the set includes some of his biggest hits to excite the audience, including Pjanoo, Every Day and Proper Education.

Eric Prydz is not your average performer, and he’s earned his success by revolutionising the event experience for electronic music fans. Few artists worldwide can match the impact of his performance style that must be seen to be believed as he transforms the arena into a breathtaking otherworldly environment that pushes the creative boundaries of live-dance music. It’s a testament to his status as one of the world's top DJ/ producers, and there are none who come close to the production value of this live show that truly lives up to its hype.

The dancefloor genius ends the performance with Opus, met with deafening applause from the arena. The iconic melody and soaring synths of the track echo throughout, creating a powerful and unforgettable moment that leaves the audience wanting more. The final visual of a robot points a remote control with a laser out at the audience before pressing the ‘Off’ switch to power down the show.