It’s easy to see why Two Friends — Eli Sones and Matt Halper — have evolved from a middle school duo into a transformative house music group redefining the crossover genre. Gaining popularity from their hour-long “Big Bootie” remix playlists, which blends nostalgic favorites with high-energy rave mashups, Two Friends continue to push creative boundaries. Their Heatwave Tour is yet another testament to their growing influence in the electronic dance music (EDM) scene.
The Los Angeles natives have been inseparable since middle school when they formed their musical partnership. Their career has skyrocketed in recent years, headlining major festivals like Coachella and even launching their own Big Bootie Land festival during the pandemic. Their signature ability to seamlessly merge genres and eras into infectious, danceable sets has cemented them as a standout act in house music.
Two Friends took the stage at Marathon Music Works on Feb. 15, delivering an electrifying performance packed with strobe lights, smoke machines and dynamic video graphics. The venue’s standing room layout was the perfect setting for this high-energy rave, with fans rushing toward the stage as the duo played a mix of their original tracks and signature remixes. Their recent releases include vibrant originals such as “The Way It Is” with Cheat Codes, “If Only I” with Loud Luxury and “More Than Yesterday” with Russell Dickerson.
Opening performances by Logan Garrett, Kaleena Zanders and music duo, MC4D, kicked off the night. A local Nashville DJ, Garrett kicked off the set with original mixes and country-house beats. Zanders’ powerful vocals and infectious beats energized the crowd. MC4D, a duo with a style akin to Two Friends, delivered pop-infused remixes of country artists like Zach Bryan and Noah Kahan, creating a unique fusion of house and country music.
With the crowd primed and ready, Two Friends made their entrance in a way only they could — humorous on-screen prompts — before launching into a mock news broadcast announcing a “heatwave,” the theme of their tour. As soon as they ran onstage, the energy was palpable. Back-to-back remixes of “Hot in Herre,” “Ain’t It Fun” and “FE!N” started the set.
The duo showcased their signature talent of blending vastly different songs into seamless, high-energy mashups. Hearing a blend of The Jackson 5’s “I Want You Back” mixed with Sage the Gemini’s “Gas Pedal,” followed by Justin Bieber’s “Baby,” felt both unexpected and exhilarating. Two Friends’ chemistry onstage was just as engaging as their music, with both DJs jumping and dancing atop their DJ booth, fully immersed in the moment.
Beyond their viral remixes, Two Friends seamlessly wove their original tracks into the set, maintaining the same anthemic energy as their well-known mashups. A standout moment of the night was the appearance of saxophonist Casey Fitzpatrick, who added an unexpected but electrifying live element to their performance. The combination of synchronized lasers, pounding bass and plumes of smoke made the music feel alive, fully immersing the audience in the experience.
As the night neared its end, Sones, a Vanderbilt alumni, took a moment to thank the Nashville crowd, expressing how special the city feels to them. After the two-hour set packed with back-to-back bangers, Two Friends capped off the night in a way that felt both interactive and personal. Bringing their openers back onstage, the duo invited a fan to play a hat-shuffling game, eliciting laughter from the crowd before taking a massive group selfie to commemorate the night.
The concert’s final moments were nothing short of iconic. As the opening notes of “Sweet Caroline” rang out, the entire crowd erupted in song. It was the perfect culmination of an unforgettable night — a moment of shared joy that underscored the duo’s ability to bring people together through music.
Two Friends is redefining the house music genre and crafting innovative mixes that make you want to dance from start to finish. Their youthful energy and undeniable chemistry shone throughout the night, making their two-hour set feel like it passed in an instant. As they continue their Heatwave Tour, one thing remains clear: Two Friends are here to keep the party going.
