There are few better places to host a rave than inside an old warehouse. Add a skate ramp, a crowd of dancers, a few bottles of cold brew mate and Seth Troxler behind the decks, and you have the ingredients for a properly memorable night.
That was the set up when El Tony Mate brought its Selected Sessions series to Amsterdam’s Skatecafe earlier this month. The invite only event paired one of electronic music’s most recognisable names with a venue that felt perfectly suited to the occasion: raw, slightly rough around the edges and full of the kind of character that is increasingly hard to find in nightlife.
Skatecafe’s built in ramp became part of the experience, with skaters throwing shapes before the space gradually shifted towards the dance floor. It was a small detail, but one that helped the event feel different from a standard club night. Rather than simply putting a DJ in front of a crowd, the venue itself remained part of the performance.
A First Taste of El Tony Mate
This was also my first time trying El Tony Mate, or any mate drink, for that matter. I wasn’t completely sure it would be for me, but the cold brewed, lightly bitter flavour worked better than expected, particularly as the night went on.
The real surprise was the “Turbo Tony”, El Tony Mate with a dash of vodka added. It is the sort of simple club night serve that makes immediate sense, combining the drink’s earthy energy with something a little more familiar for anyone used to a vodka mixer.
Seth Troxler Takes Over
The main draw, naturally, was Seth Troxler. The Detroit raised DJ has long been one of the most distinctive figures in house and techno, with a sound that can move from groove heavy house to more rugged, unpredictable territory without losing its sense of fun.
He is also one of my favourite DJs, so seeing him play in a venue as unusual as Skatecafe was always going to be a highlight. His energetic mix of house and techno quickly got the room moving, while the setting added a sense of occasion that a conventional club could not quite replicate.
Troxler was supported by Dutch duo Moxes & Emvae, whose high energy back to back set moved across house, disco, soul, garage, minimal house and moombahton. Their set helped establish the mood early, while also giving the event a clear local connection rather than making it feel like an imported headline show.
Intimate by Design
The Amsterdam event was part of El Tony Mate’s wider Selected Sessions series, which brings international artists into unexpected spaces across Europe. Previous sessions have featured names including Jen Cardini, Young Marco, DJ Tennis, Bambounou, Sofia Kourtesis and EDE.
What makes the concept work is its scale. These are not oversized festival bookings or heavily branded arena events. The sessions are smaller, more focused and built around the relationship between the artist, the space and the local scene.
El Tony Mate also uses the series to spotlight local artists through its Local Hero content, giving audiences more of a feel for the DJs and their connection to each city.
Watch the Set
The Amsterdam Selected Session, featuring Seth Troxler, will be available to watch from 28 September via El Tony Mate’s YouTube channel.
