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Swedish House Mafia close New York City chapter with historic weekend

New York City’s skyline was lit blue and yellow, but Axwell, Sebastian Ingrosso, and Steve Angello have owned the Big Apple for longer than just one night. The love affair between Swedish House Mafia and New York City is well documented and extends far beyond the Madison Square Garden sell out of 2011. After blowing up from the success of “Leave The World Behind,” the trio headed north from Miami to New York to claim a piece of the Apple for themselves.

In November of 2010, Axwell played Webster Hall, Ingrosso played Pacha, and the following month Steve played Roseland Ballroom for New Years Eve. Over two years later, the Swedes returned together to close the collective chapter on NYC. With a flick of the switch, their final run had begun.

Swedish House Mafia close New York City chapter with historic weekendSteve And The Mafia Enjoying The Moment

Thursday afternoon the men and their families took to the Empire State Building to pull the lever and light the famous tower blue and yellow in representation of their homeland’s colors. The trio was due for such an honor with their charity concert, Black Tie Rave, on the horizon – an event that was aimed to support Hurricane Sandy relief, Save The Children, and the Mayor’s Fund to Advance New York City. The sun went down, the sky belonged to the mafia, and tuxedo shops were bustling, busy dressing fans for a night to remember.

The guys came decked in tuxedos, trading their black v-necks for black ties, as if it were Axwell’s wedding all over again. Hammerstein Ballroom glimmered with elegance; from the majestic appeal of the arena to the dazzling suits and gowns, Swedish House Mafia reunited with New York for a truly special event. Like a father’s last dance on his daughter’s wedding night, passing her on to her husband, the trio danced with New York’s opulent crowd before handing them off to a world without the mafia.

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What was left to conquer in the Big Apple? Selling out Madison Square Garden again couldn’t hurt.

Making history in December of 2011, Swedish House Mafia became the first electronic act to take over Madison Square Garden with the One Night Stand that sold out in mere seconds. Bringing the SHM legacy to a close, they returned to the world’s greatest arena for a second round. The Garden was just as packed, just as chaotic, and just as historic this time around. Nostalgia filled the air for those who had been in attendance in 2011, and newcomers came, raved, and loved with a similar passion. The curtain dropped, and a new introduction took hold before “Greyhound” came rushing from the speakers. Standing silhouetted atop a gargantuan structure, the Swedes went off to the races with new material, new bootlegs, and state of the art production.

This time there was an interlude for the curtain to once again rise for the original “Together” introduction that moved into “Resurrection.” It started to sink in; this would be the last time many of us heard the trio play these tracks live, it was a bittersweet farewell to New York City. Through patented sing-a-long “In My Mind,” “Every Teardrop Is A Waterfall,” and “Don’t You Worry Child,” the Swedes stole the hearts of 50,000 fans that were not ready to say their goodbyes, all futilely holding on to every note, desperate to extend their final moments with the mafia.

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Luckily, they weren’t finished with New York City quite yet — just a train ride away, Brooklyn would see three nights of the same show at the brand new Barclays Center. Tens of thousands of fans were seeking one last fix from One Last Tour. Saturday came and pyrotechnics blasted along to “Antidote.” Sunday came and an arena belted lyrics to “Save The World.” Monday came and Axwell brought tears to faces with an emotional final farewell. Tuesday came, and the trio was gone, disappeared into the ether – nothing more than whirlwind of music, love and energy. Swedish House Mafia conquered New York City and there was nothing left to give — no more Madison Square Garden sell outs, no more arena shows, and no more goosebumps.

Axwell, Sebastian, and Steve ended their legacy with the city that never sleeps on a high note, leaving a void in the hearts of New Yorkers that may never be filled. Perhaps in the coming years there will be a return to normalcy. Maybe it will cost $25 to see Axwell at Webster Hall, or $10 admission for Ingrosso at Pacha, or maybe Steve will bring champagne for another New Years Eve. It wasn’t an easy goodbye in New York City this past weekend, but it was done in style. They came, they raved, they loved, and they took one hell of a bite out of the Big Apple.

View the full album from Madison Square Garden here.

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