Producer, Songwriter, Performer & DJ – Edward Maya (also known as Eduard Marian) is an internationally recognized music icon. With a plethora of hit singles, his unique & eclectic sounds have carved a niche of Euro-Pop music recognizable across the globe. What may be unknown to the general public is that Maya initially got his start when he produced Akcent’s album with top singles: Stay With Me, That’s My Name, When Lover’s Cry. Later in his career, his collaboration with Azeri composer Eldar Mansurov & Russian vocalist DJ Vika Jigulina was the winning ingredient to creating his #1 hit – Stereo Love. His other top singles include This is My Life and most recently, Desert Rain (reaching number 1 on radio stations in Greece, Turkey, & Canada).

In 2010, Maya created Mayavin records & Mayavin Agency that represents a slew of popular house/dance music artists: Ida Corr, Yolanda Be Cool, Steve Edwards, Nicola Fasano, Fragma, Gramophonedzie, Juan Magan, Stereo Palma, Chris Willis & of course himself! March 2011 is Edward Maya’s FIRST U.S. tour & I had the pleasure of seeing him live at Vanguard in Hollywood this past Saturday.

For more info. visit EDWARD MAYA

Well my experience at Vanguard in the past has luckily been enjoyable. My experience this time…well was a horrific nightmare. Upon arriving at the venue (around 10:30 pm) my friends and I were among a sea of angry and overly anxious people. Let me explain. The will call line was backed up so much that Vanguard’s lame excuse for security could not contain the mad crowd of people. After being verbally harassed and pushed by people, we found out that the power at will call was out and we wouldn’t be getting our tickets and only those who printed out their confirmation could get in the main entrance (lucky for my group – I had already done this). After waiting another hour, we were admitted into the event (no one even checked my print out). The incompetency of Vanguard’s management was clearly evident in not only their inability to efficiently execute a backup plan when their systems went out, but also organize the expected masses for this internationally acclaimed dj.

Ok on to the dj! Edward Maya didn’t come on stage until 1am, as expected. He immediately greeted the anxious crowd and introduced himself and singer Vika Jigulina. He then serenaded the audience with his accordion (now THIS was cool!) After that – he of course started performing his number one hit, Stereo Love. As you can imagine, the audience went CRAZY! See video below:

Shortly afterwards, he started singing This is My Life – another crowd pleaser of the night! See video below:

The rest of the night (well until I left at about 2:45am), Edward Maya and Vika Jigulina took turns DJ’ing. He played a lot of current mainstream house hits – David Guetta, Swedish House Mafia and mixed it in with classic artists such as Bon Jovi. I believe he effectively catered his song selections to the American crowd; however, I would have liked to have heard more Euro-House, Euro-Pop music — especially some of the songs he produced for Akcent or even his NEWEST single Desert Rain (maybe he played it after I left?). Overall, the night was entertaining and I had a great time with my friends ~just not sure I will ever go to Vanguard again!

*For more videos of Edward Maya visit my YOUTUBE Channel

*For more photos from the event visit my FACEBOOK Page