You'd need a lot more than a bit of mud to deter the Longitude Heineken stage crowd from having the evening of a lifetime - especially with a show as energetic as the one offered by Dublin DJ duo NewEra.

Opening their 5:30 show with back screen footage of the boys riding horses in full suits, sunglasses fixed on their noses and large cigars between their teeth, slowly entering the Guinness Factory in Dublin 8 against a back drop of heavy bass - you could tell from the get-go that you were in for a fun show, even before the performers had walked on stage.

NEWERA at Longitude 2024. Copyright Miguel Ruiz

What a treat it was, then, seeing the two DJs appear - in matching t-shirts and sunglasses, no less, and settling behind their booth with the huge smiles of performers who can't believe their luck of playing for such a big and eager crowd.

The enthusiasm of the Longitude audience doesn't need to be praised anymore, but it is nonetheless impressive to see so many people ready to dance, sing, laugh and embrace the general atmosphere of the festival, even as the rain had just stopped, feet deep in the mud.

A good crowd can only exist in the context of a good performer, though, and if there is one thing NewEra have truly mastered, it's an unwavering capacity to entertain.

NEWERA at Longitude 2024. Copyright Miguel Ruiz

It's a well-crafted recipe: one that starts with the boys' complicity with each other, smiling, dancing and laughing in a way that shows a profound camaradrie. At some points, you'd almost feel like it didn't really matter if anyone showed up to their gig at all - the only important thing was that they were here, making music together.

Another vital element of the show's quality lied in its variety, jumping from highly melodic tracks to more bass-heavy tunes, even allowing themselves the occasional funkier songs - and their healthy amounts of saxophone lines - without ever loosing any of its appeal.

The advantage of having two DJs is also that no MCs are needed - if one of them is handling the table, then the other one can make sure the crowd stays in its best form - dancing, singing out, profoundly in communion with the performers.

NEWERA at Longitude 2024. Copyright Miguel Ruiz

The unwavering energy was also beautifully kept up by the choice of tracks - club tunes iconic enough that NewEra could make the bet of tuning off the speakers completely for a few seconds without ever being met with a drop of silence.

Closing their almost one-hour long set by bringing out the smoke guns, NewEra left the Longitude Heineken stage buzzing with excitement for the rest of the day - and what else the boys might have in store for the future.