I remember sifting through the emails in my promotion inbox one Summer day and seeing the names Armand Van Helden and Giorgio Moroder on the bill for an event simply called “I Feel Love.” The event was promoted as an “immersive musical experience in an abandoned factory in Brooklyn reimagining late 70’s nightclub culture.” I immediately bought my ticket, and as much as I love the Summertime, I couldn't wait for September. My ticket, a sleek, black card similar to a gift card of sorts, arrived about 2 weeks prior to the event. My anticipation and curiosity peaked.

I arrived at the Brooklyn venue shortly before 11 pm. The security guard took one look at my shirt - a cartoon depicting a demon wrapping around a naked woman’s back with the word “Lucifer” adorned at the bottom - and laughed. I thought it was an appropriate choice given disco’s propagandistic reputation as the “devil’s music” by conservatives of the time. When I showed my ticket to the ticket scanner, she greeted me with a kiss on the cheek - she did so for everyone, it appeared. I could already tell this was going to be a unique event.

I walked through a hallway of mirrors and made my way towards the bar. I saw a trailer parked inside the venue that looked like it was straight out of the set of That 70s Show or Forest Gump. Inside, a few concert goers casually lied in bed together, unbothered and seemingly just enjoying each other's company.

I made my way to Club Bazzar - one of the two stages at the concert - ready to see what the night had in store. The area reeked of pure sweat. It was clear this was not the area where the industrial air conditioner was placed, but no one on the dance floor seemed to care.

The crowd was a very interesting mix. There were patrons in their early 20s and others who looked like they could have been pushing 60. Several concert attendees stayed true to the event’s 70’s theme; afros, shaggy hairstyles, mustaches, boob tubes, bell bottoms, glitter, tight silk shirts with the chest exposed, boas, hot pants, John Lennon glasses - you name it. It felt like I had time traveled to a party my parents might have attended.

The time came for Giorgio Moroder to hit the decks. The main stage transformed from a dull, grungy factory space into a warm and welcoming, flamboyant dance floor complete with colorful flashing lights and shimmering disco balls hanging from the ceiling. The legendary producer played everything from Blondie to Rihanna, and of course, some of his classics with Donna Summer. Giorgio looked more like an orchestra conductor than a DJ at the booth. He used his hands to signal the brass stabs of disco classics and playfully pointed the microphone at the crowd so that they could sing along. He even communicated with fans in the front row. When he played his own track, “74 is the new 24,” a fan made her way to the front row and shouted, “It’s really true!” Giorgio responded with a smile and a nod.

All throughout the night, dancers vogued with unapologetic conviction - males, females and more androgynous concert goers. One of the voguers was a bearded man with an open robe, a backwards hat, and black heels. He strutted around in front of the crowd with no shame, encouraging others to dance as if no one was watching. However you feel about disco culture, the confidence that some of these dancers vogued with is the kind of confidence and self-love that everyone should be striving to possess. A flash mob gathered to the left of the stage led by a woman in sparkling gold pants and a backless black top. That's when Giorgio dropped “I Feel Love,” and the theme of the night was starting to set in.

Armand Van Helden took the stage next. He started off with classics like his edit of the Bucketheads’ 1995 hit record “The Bomb!” - a tune that was very well received by the crowd and would set the tone for the rest of his hour-and-a-half-long set. Armand gave his crowd a minute to compose themselves by playing one of the more celebrated tracks in his extensive catalogue of hits - his remix to C.J. Bolland’s “Sugar Is Sweeter.” Once the bassline dropped, the crowd picked off right where they left off.

Armand wouldn't stop dropping gems. He mixed Cajmere’s “Percolator” with his own record, “The Funk Phenomenon,” a genius blend that would make any DJ or house music junkie grin from ear to ear.

No 70’s themed set from Armand Van Helden would be complete without some Duck Sauce. He dropped his and A Trak’s collaborative track “Anyway.” A dance off ensued to the right of me, accompanied by a sing along. He played other crowd favorites like “I Want Your Soul,” and “Work Me Goddamit,” before the grand finale.

For the last song of his set, Armand brought out Duane Harden to sing “You Don’t Know Me,” and it made for a truly magical moment. For those unfamiliar with the Armand Van Helden classic, the song is about people not passing judgement on others for living their lives a certain way. It was the perfect record for Armand to close his set out with, as disco’s rise to prominence was largely attributed to the gay community, blacks, Hispanics and other groups of people who felt like they didn’t quite fit in. Several concert goers sang along with Duane, who cut the music off to sing the second verse acapella.

I Feel Love was a night I’ll probably never forget. There’s something about disco music that just takes you somewhere different. The four-on-the-floor kick drums, euphoric strings, funky basslines, celebratory horns combined with simple - yet, uplifting lyrics - really puts listeners in good spirits. I remember at one point, looking around, thinking to myself “this is how church is supposed to feel.” I Feel Love was great, and I hope they come back next year.