Cosmic Gate are entering a new chapter as founding member Nic Chagall takes the project forward solo following Bossi’s retirement.

For decades, Cosmic Gate has been one of the most legendary names in trance music. The duo has built a remarkable legacy, with a catalogue featuring classics like ‘Exploration of Space’ and ‘Fire Wire’. Now, following Bossi’s retirement from music earlier this year, it’s time for the next chapter in the Cosmic Gate story.

Before taking the stage at Bootshaus, we had the chance to discuss the future of the project with Nic Chagall, one of the two founding members of Cosmic Gate. Taking things forward as a solo act, Nic says this is an interesting phase for him. It marks his return to a solo setup after more than 11 years.

“Certainly it is a chance to make it more fully my own thing, myself, musically, DJing, so that’s the focus,” says the artist who also opened about where Cosmic Gate is heading musically.

Cosmic Gate: Moving Forward

Nic wants to embrace the freedom of being in full control of the project, following his heart and producing music that feels right: “We’ve always been more on the spectrum, a little bit left, a little bit right, and I want to go even a little further.” The trance icon recalls the early days of his solo project in 2007–2008, when he experimented with a more progressive sound.

Looking to lean into wherever this new journey takes him, Nic’s passion seems to remain as strong as ever. Speaking about what fans can expect from the Cosmic Gate live experience moving forward, he explains that the beauty lies in not knowing exactly what to expect himself, allowing him to be more daring.

“It’s going to be a wide range of, hopefully, music that they [fans] can connect with. I want to just do my thing, do what I feel and take them on that journey,” says Nic.

The Fan-Artist Connection

Fans have always been a big part of what Cosmic Gate means to the dance music community. The duo has built a loyal fanbase over the years, with supporters following the evolution of the project into one of the biggest names in trance, alongside artists like Ferry Corsten and Paul van Dyk.

Nic highlights the importance of playing live and how it helps create a bond with fans, living every second of a set with them: “I’m not preparing a set. […] I’m in the moment with the crowd. I see what they feel, I feel what they feel and give them what I feel. […] It’s a give and take that somehow creates this constant bond, that we have since so many years.”

The same positive energy and connection was felt during his set at Bootshaus, playing to an audience that knew exactly what they came for. Cosmic Gate has played at the venue several times before, with each appearance delivering an unforgettable experience.

Speaking about what makes Bootshaus special, and why he keeps coming back, Nic says: “The way it’s set up with the dance floor a little lower and like a boxing ring, the people around it. It creates this intense energy that is really, almost unlike every other club.”

The set at Bootshaus marked the first time Nic played solo as Cosmic Gate at the venue, and it certainly was a statement that the unmistakable Cosmic Gate vibe isn’t going anywhere.

Instead, Nic is building on the legacy he created with Bossi, while making room for new ideas born from his own creative instincts. He sees this new chapter as both a beginning and a continuation and hopes to reflect this with his future sets.

“We’ve always been very experimental. […] I want to go a step further, but also bring it back to some of the older feelings of Cosmic Gate. So when you hear a set of mine these days, I hope you will feel that it’s like, wow, that’s new and, damn, I didn’t expect him to play that song again.”

Nic is going full throttle as the man behind Cosmic Gate, with a busy world tour schedule ahead. From the USA and Canada, to Europe and Asia, Cosmic Gate remains one of the most in-demand names in trance. This new beginning is not a fully fresh start, but a new phase in the project’s evolution while staying true to its origins.

 

 

 

 

 

 

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