dragonfly label night

It's taken me quite some time to get this review together, up and running. Sorry about that guys, but I just felt that I needed some time to evaluate my own opinions on this party. You know how you sometimes experience something and get the (first) impression that it's so f**king great and good and all, but as time goes by you think back and it doesn't seem all that impressive at all? That is NOT the case here, it's rather on the contrary... My first impression was not overwhelming at all, but looking back I tend to change my opinion drastically.

This has nothing to do with the 'after-parties-blues' that some of us might have experienced at various occasions, it's just that I didn't know at the time that it should have been appreciated for what it was. This, my dear friends, was an intimate Rotundum-party. At Pakhus. Now, how often does that occur?!

Me and a great group of friends started the night at Stereo Bar where we happened to meet up with two of the guys who'd been playing at Pakhus the night before; Patrick Pulsinger and a certain Peter. They told me how bad it'd been, with a maximum of 300 guests. This didn't stop us though.

Arriving at Pakhus, we were surprised to see no sign of a long queue outside. In fact, there was no queue at all. The entrance had also been moved, instead of using the ordinary doors we had to walk in through what's usually the backdoors of the dance floor. We were thoroughly searched, and I mean THOROUGHLY!, and the guards also went through the bags and pockets. I almost felt as a criminal.

Inside, we found that the dance floor was no longer in the same area it usually is. Nope, it was now in what's usually the entrance hall. Instead of the high-up stage, we had a stage comfortably close to us (the visitors) and I found it way superior to the usual; this way at least I felt closer to the dj's. Behind the dj-booth, a large projection screen displayed some amazing graphics and animations. Quite stunning, once you'd set eyes on'em, you couldn't let go. I quite liked the whole tribe dancing around up there, dedicated natives worshiping the state of trance.

Banel had just finished his set when we entered the building, and Lord Chaos took over. I didn't get into it then, as I had to go see some friends I knew would be there, but halfway through his set I finally settled down on the dance floor. The music was very good, and what an uplifting behaviour the dj himself contributed with: he was up there, dancing madly with us. I have said this before, but it's worth mentioning and pointing out again and again...it does matter a great deal how the dj acts. If he's standing still, just staring down on the crowd and the mixer table (and whatever other machines they're using in order to deliver a set), it can still be an awesome set, yes. But if the dj is taking part in the set by dancing along, smiling and showing us what a kick he's (she's) getting out of it himself (herself) - then I'm in 7th heaven and nothing can stop me from giving 200%. Just a tip for you stiff dj's out there. =:)

When Hallucinogen's Horrorgram was played, I felt such bliss. It was the first time I've heard it being played at a party and I've been waiting for that since I first heard it. It's *super*. Lord Chaos' set finished with a track I fell in love with. I had to ask Darren what track it was, and you should keep your eyes and ears open for it; it was 'Spiritual Healing' by The Muses Rapt. It will be released in the spring of '98 and I highly suggest that you dj's go out and buy it. Of course this is _my_ opinion, but I've succeeded in pointing out a few 'to-be-favourites'-tracks earlier and I go by that famous female intuition.

After Lord Chaos, Shakta delivered a quite lame live-set. I saw Shakta performing in Portugal at the BooM Festival and unfortunately I expected something similar now. I was wrong doing that, as the whole environment and everything else was completely different down there, none of the sets we saw and heard will be as good (or even remotely close to that standard) being played anywhere else. BooM was so special. That's why I'm saying that Shakta's gig was lame, even though it was good. To me, it lacked that extra touch - which could only be added under the stars on a hot Portugal-night and therefor, I had no right to ask for it on a cold December night in Copenhagen.

I went into the chill out to see and hear Out Of Phase. This is music that deserves acknowledgement. Some of their tunes are way too slow for my liking, but the faster stuff is *great*. Me and Lord Chaos had a ball, dancing alongside, showing our appreciation by letting go and 'aving it on the large, empty dance floor. I long to see these tracks (especially Desert Traveller and Alien Zoo!) and Out Of Phase released on a label, they're worth it! Thanks Peter, for making music like this!

When their set ended, Jean Borelli took over. Jean usually delivers full-on sets on the main dance floor, so this was new and interesting. It turned out I felt too restless to stick around to fully get into it, and pretty soon I left to get into the main building and continue to dance my ass off. =:)

As for the last set on the main dance floor this night, I have nothing but admiration. Amon was the artist and his work was...amazing! I might go a bit over the top here, but I can still recall how good I felt hearing and dancing to the tunes he put on. *goosepimples* The rest of the crowd seemed to like it (now that's an understatement) as well, and when the music stopped around 8am, I was probably not the only one wishing it could've gone on longer. It was ages ago I felt that way (and I almost thought I'd lost the touch) but thanks to Amon, I had my own kind of rebirth. More of this, por favor!

What seemed to become a quite dull party turned out to be more satisfying than expected. I especially thank Lord Chaos, Out Of Phase and Amon - and naturally the great guys I came to the party with - You know who You are!

Megasmiles

~ chrissie ~