Grammy weekend in LA is all about the parties, and if you’re a dance music fan, there was no hotter place to be than Om Records’ showcase at the extra-posh Supperclub for a triple bill that included LA’s own Jason Bentley, Grammy Award-winning Dirty Vegas, and first-time Grammy nominees Groove Armada. Long recognized as two of electronic music’s most well-respected artists, Groove Armada and Dirty Vegas turned out flawless sets that electrified the crowd of industry execs and well-to-do Hollywood scenesters. “A different sort of crowd to what we’re used to,” said Groove Armada’s Tom Findlay, “but they gave it their all!”

LA music mainstay and host of KCRW’s “Morning Becomes eclectic, Jason Bentley, did a bang up job (as always) of warming up the crowd for Dirty Vegas’ Ben Harris, Paul Harris and vocalist Steve Smith, who came on strong with a fluid mix of deep and progressive house. Though their last LP, One, came out nearly seven years ago, the trio had no shortage of original material to play, even debuting a few selections from their forthcoming album, Electric Love, due out in April. It wasn’t until the close of their set that they brought out their big tune—the anthemic 2001 “Days Go By”—but rather than close out their set with a hit, they dovetailed into more raucous material to set the table for Groove Armada.

The last time they came through Los Angeles, Groove Armada boasted their new and improved live setup: a full band, longtime MC M.A.D., and new lead singer SaintSaviour. This time around, Findlay and partner Andy Cato brought only their CD wallets, hoping maybe to save a little extra room in their luggage for the “Best Electronic/Dance Album” Award for Black Light. (Sadly, they did not win. The honor went to La Roux.) The kicked off their set with the opening chords of “Paper Romance,” but rather than dive into the entire song, they segued into deeper material for the majority of their set. If you know Groove Armada, this is par for the course.

Not even the mainstream gleam of Grammy weekend could make them pull out big guns like “I See You Baby” and “Fogma,” though they did drop “Superstylin’” towards the end of their set. Since Supperclub’s only seating is for VIPs, there weren’t many places to rest weary legs, but as their set wore on, there was little reason to be off your feet. By the time they mixed in Robin S’s “Show Me Love” and David Bowie’s “Let’s Dance,” the room was rammed with dancers. Though they didn’t go home Grammy winners, the success of Black Light has undoubtedly fueled the first for their next project, rumored to be called, wait for it, Red Light.

“There is no bigger or better known award in music,” Findlay said later. “[The nomination] meant a huge amount to us. In terms of the way we work, I think this album has helped us to have the courage of our convictions, so whatever we do in the future we’ll do ‘cause we think it’s right.”

Word by Rich Thomas. Photos by E.M.S.