(no subject)
I've been watching the Awakenings rave series with interest for a long time, because they always have the very best lineups, great reviews, the DJs love them, and Holland is known for doing techno events well. When the summer one sold out three months in advance, (and the one I just went to a few weeks in advance), I knew there must be a reason.
All of these companies that put on events have a formula, based on the type of venue, the music styles played and names of DJs, the number and type of patrons they want, the drugs they allow/encourage/discourage, etc.
I think Awakenings is doing something unique that I've never seen before. It's one of the "purest" events I've ever been to - to the point of the DJs, all top 10 or top 20 in the world, coalescing around a single music and set style. It was kind of bizarre in fact, because there's usually so much variety between DJs...with these top guys and gals, switching from one performer to the next usually brings big changes in style, spinning technique and tone. I mean, if you know Josh Wink, Adam Beyer, and Paco Osuna, you wouldn't say they all play the same, right? This time it didn't matter who was spinning. It all sounded similar, and it all sounded awesome.
The most interesting thing was that 90% of the music was new to me (they usually tend to play a mix of new tracks and techno anthems everyone has come to love). It was the best new techno I've ever heard, and I think they are keeping it for themselves (Awakenings). I'll have to go to more events to be sure, but it seemed like the music was MADE for Awakenings and for these DJs, and part of what they are doing is not allowing that particular music to be played elsewhere. So we'll keep coming back for more, because it's the only place you can get it...and it's really really good. I felt privileged to hear it.
It remains to be seen if that style really is all they play and if it gets boring over time (although their extended success rate says not quickly).
The event was also pure in that they put smoking rooms at every entrance to the main room (smart!) and made people use them. Much better air in there. It was also pure in that other than a couple of joints, I only saw MDMA being used there. Usually I see people passing around all kinds of things, particularly cocaine and speed, and that can give an event a harder edge (not to mention those are just nasty drugs). This was a pure ecstasy love environment. I think it's a smart move on the part of the organizers, because MDMA makes your patrons extremely easy to deal with and is not nearly as dangerous a drug as those others nor as problematic as alcohol. There were only two bars, so alcohol was not encouraged. Since that's usually a big part of the money these folks make, I thought that was interesting...and makes me think it's likely they provide the MDMA.
The light show was awesome, far better than average although they didn't go so far as 3D holographic images or anything. Maybe at the June event. Which, as I mentioned, is sold out. But I'll be going on the Dutch version of E-bay to see if I can score tickets!
All of these companies that put on events have a formula, based on the type of venue, the music styles played and names of DJs, the number and type of patrons they want, the drugs they allow/encourage/discourage, etc.
I think Awakenings is doing something unique that I've never seen before. It's one of the "purest" events I've ever been to - to the point of the DJs, all top 10 or top 20 in the world, coalescing around a single music and set style. It was kind of bizarre in fact, because there's usually so much variety between DJs...with these top guys and gals, switching from one performer to the next usually brings big changes in style, spinning technique and tone. I mean, if you know Josh Wink, Adam Beyer, and Paco Osuna, you wouldn't say they all play the same, right? This time it didn't matter who was spinning. It all sounded similar, and it all sounded awesome.
The most interesting thing was that 90% of the music was new to me (they usually tend to play a mix of new tracks and techno anthems everyone has come to love). It was the best new techno I've ever heard, and I think they are keeping it for themselves (Awakenings). I'll have to go to more events to be sure, but it seemed like the music was MADE for Awakenings and for these DJs, and part of what they are doing is not allowing that particular music to be played elsewhere. So we'll keep coming back for more, because it's the only place you can get it...and it's really really good. I felt privileged to hear it.
It remains to be seen if that style really is all they play and if it gets boring over time (although their extended success rate says not quickly).
The event was also pure in that they put smoking rooms at every entrance to the main room (smart!) and made people use them. Much better air in there. It was also pure in that other than a couple of joints, I only saw MDMA being used there. Usually I see people passing around all kinds of things, particularly cocaine and speed, and that can give an event a harder edge (not to mention those are just nasty drugs). This was a pure ecstasy love environment. I think it's a smart move on the part of the organizers, because MDMA makes your patrons extremely easy to deal with and is not nearly as dangerous a drug as those others nor as problematic as alcohol. There were only two bars, so alcohol was not encouraged. Since that's usually a big part of the money these folks make, I thought that was interesting...and makes me think it's likely they provide the MDMA.
The light show was awesome, far better than average although they didn't go so far as 3D holographic images or anything. Maybe at the June event. Which, as I mentioned, is sold out. But I'll be going on the Dutch version of E-bay to see if I can score tickets!