Lavern destroying the Durham Fruit with Morning Choir
Miniskirts and crop tops in January? More likely than you’d think—and even more so if you happened to be at the Fruit on the night of January 18, 2025. The cold couldn’t stop the crowd from showing up in their club finest, ready for a night of dancing and celebration. With popular stutter house artist Lavern slated to headline, the line wrapped around the venue as excited attendees waited to get inside the popular Durham warehouse space and get grooving.
Starting the night off strong, JSSE (Winston-Salem-based artist Jesse Orozco) warmed up the crowd with an eclectic house set. He seamlessly fused house and techno with notes of old-school hip-hop and reggaeton. His set swelled throughout the hour, cranking up the decibel level. At its peak, he had the entire crowd singing along to a Bad Bunny favorite—a meaningful moment that paid homage to Jesse’s Latinx heritage. Having the first slot of the night “felt like freedom,” he commented, as it gave him the opportunity to express himself and take the audience on a unique journey.
Armed with two White Claws behind the booth, Durham-based artist Zac Lor entranced the crowd by delving deeper into a tech house sound—think sweeping, dizzying builds and gritty drops. They wove different sonic textures in and out seamlessly, giving the crowd a smooth, groovy vibe to dance to. Discussing their approach to building a set, Zac said, “I love a slow start.” They methodically build their sets to evolve over time, making the audience wait before releasing all that tension with hard-hitting bangers. Notably, Zac is an active member of Beloved Collective, a group of artists that believes in the healing power of music and community, working to make the festival experience more accessible to fans of electronic music, particularly within queer and BIPOC communities.
DJ Lithic bringing the heat
Next up, DJ Lithic turned the dial to the max with a frenetic, high-energy sound. His set featured aggressive percussion, bright horns, and fist-pumping, anthemic drops. The BPM stayed high, and so did the energy on the dancefloor. At just 21, DJ Lithic (Will Cooper) is barely old enough to enter the club, let alone get behind the decks, but he performed like a seasoned pro. What started as casual fun at apartment parties has evolved into an incredible opportunity for him, and it’s easy to see why. Whether it’s house, jungle, UK garage, or Brazilian funk, Will can mix it all—jungle and UKG being some personal favorite genres of the artist. His set was the perfect lead-up to the night’s climax and a clear indication of a bright career ahead.
Front row vibes at Lavern
Lavern’s name echoed throughout the room from the start of the night. If you stopped to listen, you’d hear it bouncing around as attendees excitedly discussed the young artist from the Netherlands. Lavern has undoubtedly made his mark on the electronic music world with a unique stutter house sound that leaves listeners feeling weightless, suspended in time. His sound blends the energetic nightlife vibe with softer, more reflective influences he attributes to growing up in a small village outside Amsterdam. His set was jaw-dropping, with ecstatic energy radiating through the crowd and vibrating in the soundwaves. The music felt gravity-defying, a sensation mirrored by the crowd as some audience members were hoisted onto shoulders, reaching closer to the ceiling—a physical embodiment of the music’s lifted drive. His performance included plenty of fun surprises to bring nostalgia into the mix as well, such as the well-loved SIDEPIECE remix of Gotye’s “Somebody That I Used to Know.”
Lavern at a sold out show at The Durham Fruit
From the moment the doors opened to the final note of Lavern’s electrifying set, the night was nothing short of incredible. Each artist brought their own distinct energy, creating a progression of sound that kept the dancefloor alive. The night was more than just the music—it was a celebration of artistry, identity, and community. Whether it was Jesse honoring his roots, Zac Lor advocating for inclusivity in electronic music, Will skillfully balancing his rising career and his studies, or Lavern pushing boundaries with his innovative sound, the event wasn’t just a show; it was a one-of-a-kind experience.
