My love parade review
I was pretty hyped up about the love parade, and unlike most things that I get hyped up about, I wasn't let down. It truly blew my mind.
I danced for over 10 hours, walked more then 10 miles, saw
people having sex
people doing drugs directly in front of cops
pregnant women dancing
naked people
fire yellow glow sticks flying up over the crowds
Asian girls in Japanese school girl outfits
people on stilts
but most importantly
I saw the sun set and the sun rise in city.
Here is the story in a stream of consciousness type of way:
thursday: bought an 8oz bottle of Robitussin Max strength and drank half of it. Called up all my friends to see who wanted to go with me ---> no go, everyone was busy. So alone I was going to be. But no problem, I figured I have friends that will be there so I was just gonna try to find them there.
Friday: Emptied the rest of the tussin and drilled a hole in the cap where I threaded it on a lanyard (those VIP looking things that go around your neck). I couldn't drink it because I wanted to not be fucked up for Saturday, especially if there was any chance that I could score something better.
Saturday: Hopped on Bart in Fremont at around 1:00pm. Arrived in San Francisco around 2, but got off on the wrong exit on Market because I couldn't remember where the parade ended, only where it started (2nd and Market). So I walked all the way down, past the anti-war protest, with my tussin bottle around my neck made my way in front of the Civic center. First float I hung out at was
the Tantra psytrance/goa float.
It was packed and lovely. Lots of interesting people here, but I was far too sober to be listening to it so I moved on.
the Breaks float
where there were people break dancing on linoleum. It was awesome. One guy had fairy boots on with a bike visor and he was break dancing in them. Really good I might add. I hung out there for a good hour or so then went over to
The Pure Future float
To try to meet up with some friends from the progressive world, xtcradio.com, and watch James Lauer spin. The crowd was pretty small, but they were deeply into the music. He spun a near perfect progressive set and there was some very old lady (75+ yo) there completely loving it. Next I made my way to the
Bay Area DnB float
hoping to find some friends, and I did. Osby and Adrianna were there. So I finally wasn't a loner. We made our way back to
the Breaks float
where I got handed a free mini keg and by that point I was fairly drunk. We danced for awhile and walked around some and then Adrianna had to go and Osby had his work to do, so I was off by myself again. Hoping to meet up with some tranceaddict.com friends I headed over to
the Spundae float
and made it just in time for Carl Cox'es set. He really got that crowd worked up into a frenzy. I found myself the perfect spot to spend the rest of the Love Parade. Ferry Corsten came on and proved himself to be the best DJ of the day. As the sun set behind the capital building in the clear blue sky Ferry pounded out some of the best tracks and the crowd seemed to be linked with a common bond to the music. The lights turned on, and everyone had their hands in the air. No need for air condioning with the cool, sweet ocean air, the melodic breakdowns of the trance had everyone with their arms in the air and chills down their spine. I was practically moved to tears in the beauty of the event. So perfect, and I wasn't even drunk anymore at that point. Notable track: 808State - cubik remix. Light turned to dark, the civic center was lit up with Red and Blue lights underneath the half mast American Flags. It was almost 9pm and I was hoping to find Osby so I could see where he was going next, but searched and searched to no avail.
The parade had ended and I found myself in a littered street sitting on a dirty curb with cops amassed on bicycles. No way was I going to pay $60 to get into the Spundae afterparty at the Civic center and I was suppose to meet a friend at the BADnB party at Studio Z at 10ish so I got directions and took a walk.
Bay Area Drum and Bass Afterparty
Studio Z was empty when I got there. No DJ was even playing yet, so I stood outside for about an hour once it got somewhat going. I sat by the door, but my friend that said she was going to show up never came. So I went to plan B ( which always seems to work). I hit the bar and ordered a Grand mariner shot and a red bull and vodka. Quickly downed it, another red bull and vodka later I was starting to quite enjoy myself. Grabbed a few beers and started talking to two guys who were rolling. Had some great conversations until they decided that they couldn't sit still and needed to dance, neather could I. The drum and bass was going off. I'm not sure who was the DJ, but it was intense. I started getting tired around 1am and I wanted to catch Paul Van Dyk. Knowing that Bart doesn't have service from 12am to 8am I also knew I needed a place to spend the night. So I walked to
1015.
And made it just in time to be in the main room for Paul Van dyk's entire set. It was packed, but I didn't care, I was drunk as fuck and the music was spot on. I'm not sure what dj followed PVD, it was about 4am, so I ended up sleeping in a remote corner of the club until about 6am telling each and every security gaurd that I'm fine, and that I'm not K-holing or anything. At this time I went to the front room and the dj was playing some really dark evil trance that I've never heard before. It was actually freaking me out. After his set was over I left, walked outside, saw the sun come up, walked to the bart station and hung out with bums until it opened up.
Thanks! for the great time! Seriously, this was an event to remember.
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