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Why did they put Cosmic Gate on so @%*$! early??? Got lost picking up a friend somewhere between the 10, 60, 215 and 91 and totally missed their set. 
On the other hand, VIP setup was SWEET this year! Went several years ago, and VIP bar was in this room that looked like a gymnasium, complete with ugly walls, bright fluorescent lights, etc. and took 30 minutes to get a drink.
This year, the VIP lounge was carpeted, nicely decorated, many comfy couches and chairs, along with low mood lighting! The open bar was just outside, and there was never a line for drinks while I was there (but perhaps reason why is below). Was even sitting with my friends, and girls came around to take our drink orders! They still had a full buffet and snacks almost all night, even though it had just been advertised as "snacks."
Two major complaints though:
1. Barton's Vodka:
Overall Rating: 2.5 stars out of 9
Pros: Plastic bottle doesn't break when you drop it
Cons: Tastes bad, Really bad. Wow is this bad. I don't by any means profess myself to be a hardcore vodka drinker, but I know bad when I taste it. This bad, very bad. But honestly what can you expect for $9 for a liter. If winos drank vodka they wouldn't even drink Barton's.... 
I'm sorry, but for $100+, Stoli should have been the bottom of the barrel for this event!
2. No drinks could be carried outside the VIP area. I understand the reason why for drinks with alcohol, but I had one bottled water in my back pocket and suddenly security were yelling at me like I had gone through LAX with a bomb! I explained that it was hotter than hell inside the stages, but they insisted that NO drinks could be carried out. Very bad rule, one bottled water per person is the only decent thing to do.
These two stupid decisions cheapened an otherwise stellar VIP setup.
When I got to the Labrynth stage, Second Sun were singing live and it was completely packed. Got up front and took some pics, hope they come out decent. Consensus seemed to be that their set was better than the recent one in LA, and they really seemed to be a good job of DJ'ing the event while also performing live.
Checked out the vendor booths, snagged a new Anjunabeats t-shirt (one can never have too many!) and checked out Junkie XL in the Big Top tent. Intoxicating rhythms, so much energy, he was standing on top of the decks going wild and was so into the set, great job!
Back to the VIP bar to get a drink and some water (which must be consumed entirely on the premises, did I mention that???) and then off to the Labrynth for A&B. Was very crowded, Jono and Paavo were spinning, and they also played a great combination of new and classic tracks, until 2:15 a.m., when the music slowed down waa...waaaa...waaaaaaa...waaaaaaa...thump...thump...thump, crowd chearing "one more song, one more song!" but they were gone!!! Was so mad that I left the stage, didn't care what happened there next.
Off to the Big Top for Digitalism's live performance. It was really really packed and I wasn't quite getting into it, then got a text that my friends wanted to leave. Spent awhile looking for them without any luck, so went to Upside Down stage where Dubfire was absolutely going off...progressive house beats, not as crowded since after 3 a.m., but the crowd was so into his set.
Left just a few minutes before 4 a.m. and called for a cab back to the Hilton. Tip: In San Bernadino, don't wave your hands out on the street for a taxi...this isn't even close to NYC...lol Even with 50,000 people or whatever, we called a taxi company and had a cab in about 5 minutes!
Overall a very good night, a few things could be done better. Cosmic Gate should have been on later, and A&B should have closed the night, with a triple encore...that's the only way, really! 
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My favorite song is the one that hasn't yet been written._____|_____fb_____|_____ myspace
Last edited by in2muzikk on Sep-15-2008 at 02:05
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Nocturnal review.... Anybody please!
) The place was packed which didn't help my situation much either. Highlights from there set for me was when they dropped Thrillseekers - The Last Time and Good For Me. Got incredible vids of both these songs too.
