Gatecrasher Pull Global
Posted on: 24 June


Gatecrasher, in an act of unparalleled unprofessionalism, axed superstar DJ Carl Cox's arena on the morning of Saturday's festival. The arena, which Carl had spent some 5 months creating, both in its hi-tech laser and sound system and in sourcing its bill of international talent,was set to be the highlight of the annual dance festival. Carl has also invested a large amount of money on visuals for the arena to make a difference.

This arena had been our sole project for the last few months. I had a passion in creating something genuinely different for the festival, to give something back to the punters, something that would justify the £45 price ticket alone. It also cost us a hell of a lot of money as it was meant to hold 3000 punters, it had a carefully constructed wooden rain-proof dance floor and the best sound system in the world.

The story actually goes back further than this. Last year I played the GCSSS festival and swore never to do it again as the sound was terrible, no one could see the DJ box and I got aload of emails from kids saying it was the worst they had ever seen me play. After that I refused ever to play again at Gatecrasher, but the organisers courted me with my own tent, and promised we would work together to create an arena I was happy with.

I spent the whole year talking this up to the press, and everyone I knew. I also managed to get a great bill from all around the world, including Umek, Valentino, Misstress Barbara and Green Velvet. It was a real step forward for not just me, but the whole clubbing / festival crossover.

Cracks first started to appear this week when the organisers announced that we would have to share our tent with Groove Armada and the Chemicals, because apparently two of the tents were damaged at Purple in the Park and they could not find replacements. We said OK, and went away to think about the right times that they should play so as to keep the flow right in the tent.

After meetings all week we finally thought we'd sorted it Friday. I awoke Saturday expecting my dream - the Carl Cox Global Arena - to come true after 6 months planning. I then got a call at midday callously saying 'with a gun to their heads' a decision had been made to keep the Chemical Generation Arena and diminish the Global Arena. The organisers were telling disgruntled clubbers who had travelled from afar especially to hear me that the arena was cancelled as the tent had a leak. These same clubbers have been demanding a full refund.

I was overcome with absolute disbelief and disgust. Their only alternative they offered me was to play after the Chemicals but without our bill of carefully selected DJs from around the world. Their sheer unprofessionalism is disgusting. I could not agree to play and leave all of my arena DJs I had booked to stand and watch. This would have been unfair on them. We were told by an employee in the cash office they had sold 22,000 tickets in advance, and only had 200 people purchase tickets on the day.

This is not going to deter us. The Arena will happen very soon. Watch this space. Speaking of which, I'm also doing Space in Ibiza over the summer. The Global Arena is alive, despite the best efforts of Gatecrasher. This is just a chink in our armour.


So this should clear up! why Carl Cox did not play at SSS. I went to SSS & was really gutted, angry that The Global Arena never happened & now am seeking a full refund. PvD played the Best set for me! & as much as I tried to enjoy the event it was still no good as Global Arena never happened!

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quote:

Originally posted by Paolo Gatecrasher Pull Global Posted on: 24 June Gatecrasher, in an act of unparalleled unprofessionalism, axed superstar DJ Carl Cox's arena on the morning of Saturday's festival. The arena, which Carl had spent some 5 months creating, both in its hi-tech laser and sound system and in sourcing its bill of international talent,was set to be the highlight of the annual dance festival. Carl has also invested a large amount of money on visuals for the arena to make a difference. This arena had been our sole project for the last few months. I had a passion in creating something genuinely different for the festival, to give something back to the punters, something that would justify the £45 price ticket alone. It also cost us a hell of a lot of money as it was meant to hold 3000 punters, it had a carefully constructed wooden rain-proof dance floor and the best sound system in the world. The story actually goes back further than this. Last year I played the GCSSS festival and swore never to do it again as the sound was terrible, no one could see the DJ box and I got aload of emails from kids saying it was the worst they had ever seen me play. After that I refused ever to play again at Gatecrasher, but the organisers courted me with my own tent, and promised we would work together to create an arena I was happy with. I spent the whole year talking this up to the press, and everyone I knew. I also managed to get a great bill from all around the world, including Umek, Valentino, Misstress Barbara and Green Velvet. It was a real step forward for not just me, but the whole clubbing / festival crossover. Cracks first started to appear this week when the organisers announced that we would have to share our tent with Groove Armada and the Chemicals, because apparently two of the tents were damaged at Purple in the Park and they could not find replacements. We said OK, and went away to think about the right times that they should play so as to keep the flow right in the tent. After meetings all week we finally thought we'd sorted it Friday. I awoke Saturday expecting my dream - the Carl Cox Global Arena - to come true after 6 months planning. I then got a call at midday callously saying 'with a gun to their heads' a decision had been made to keep the Chemical Generation Arena and diminish the Global Arena. The organisers were telling disgruntled clubbers who had travelled from afar especially to hear me that the arena was cancelled as the tent had a leak. These same clubbers have been demanding a full refund. I was overcome with absolute disbelief and disgust. Their only alternative they offered me was to play after the Chemicals but without our bill of carefully selected DJs from around the world. Their sheer unprofessionalism is disgusting. I could not agree to play and leave all of my arena DJs I had booked to stand and watch. This would have been unfair on them. We were told by an employee in the cash office they had sold 22,000 tickets in advance, and only had 200 people purchase tickets on the day. This is not going to deter us. The Arena will happen very soon. Watch this space. Speaking of which, I'm also doing Space in Ibiza over the summer. The Global Arena is alive, despite the best efforts of Gatecrasher. This is just a chink in our armour. So this should clear up! why Carl Cox did not play at SSS. I went to SSS & was really gutted, angry that The Global Arena never happened & now am seeking a full refund. PvD played the Best set for me! & as much as I tried to enjoy the event it was still no good as Global Arena never happened!

...my post does'nt differ from this with the exception of more clearer picture of why the CC arena did not exist. It has today sunk in, how massively pissed off i am with crasher...I also would like to add that NO STAFF of GC were telling me the arena was cancelled...instead I was sent across the entire site with statements such as:'oh, cc arena is over there...'

I also noted that the entire event seemed like a cost-cutting project with exception of the main stage arena of course.

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quote:

Originally posted by sigmarius-7 I also noted that the entire event seemed like a cost-cutting project with exception of the main stage arena of course.

Yeah i totally forgot about this arena, other arenas went due to structure damage as well

it was all a bit of a let down, the sound was awful, it was just to quiet in the main arena.

There seemed to be nobody there to ask about anything, it all seemed way to rushed, and not finished off, and if carl cox put all this effort into it, it is a great shame

I was let down at the organisation with gcsss, im sure that will be all over the gc forum

But the DJS that were there were amazing

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Anyone else notice how the fairground ride prices doubled later on at night . . . . .

. . . . . and 5 quid for the cloakrooms ?

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"To laugh often and much; to win the respect of intelligent people and the affection of children; to earn the appreciation of honest critics and endure the betrayal of false friends; to appreciate beauty, to find the best in others; to leave the world a little better; whether by a healthy child, a garden patch or a redeemed social condition; to know even one life has breathed easier because you have lived. This is the meaning of success."

Ralph Waldo Emerson

I've not heard anybody mention "the best chillout room in the world" that they were goin on about as well, did that get pulled, cos the pics of that on the preview looked fooking mad

quote:

Originally posted by Az I've not heard anybody mention "the best chillout room in the world" that they were goin on about as well, did that get pulled, cos the pics of that on the preview looked fooking mad

they chillout thingy were huge, and impressive, shame we tried to go in the at night (the had no ligths in unlike the photo suggested) and when they were full up.

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this was a bit of an arse... i had planned to spend the last couple of hours goin bonkers in that arena.. and what was i left with..? jules, fergie, and some hard house poo.

GC will never learn their lesson will they.. they just dont know whats good for them.

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