This is a long post. Read at your own risk.

What a night. Unfortunately, I couldn't make the parade itself, but I heard great things from my friends who did. 40K+ people! Hopefully we'll have even more DJs next year. On to the afterparty.

I've been busy with work lately so I haven't had time to think much about arguably the biggest party in the Bay Area this year. Parking was ridiculous around the Civic Center because 1)the streets within one block radius of the auditorium remained closed from the parade during the day and 2)the large Civic Center public parking structure across the street from the auditorium, no less, was closed for the day.(makes no sense, but when it comes to traffic and parking in S.F. you always lose) Fortunately, I was with a friend who allowed us to get in right away. Once I walked in, I had flashbacks of New Year's massives at the Cow Palace. A large chaotic scene and a lot of kids. Then it dawned on me that it was an 18+ event. Then I quickly started to repeat to myself, "imagine how crowded it is at ten15 right now, imagine how crowded it is at ten15 right now" and I felt much better.

Let me quickly recap the quirks and nuisances of the night before I tell you about what we were all there for - the great music. I'm relatively a newbie when it comes to these things, so please feel free to chastise me for being petty if these are common occurances at massives.
-No coatcheck. I normally don't need it, but I think Bay Area people are used to wearing layers - meaning that they'd want to take their jackets off and put it somewhere safe while they get their groove on.
-No twistcaps were allowed for water bottles. I had to either find a safe spot on the ground to prevent it from spilling, or hold on to it on the dance floor with no cap. Maddening.
-No map of the venue to specify where stages two and three were. Three different people asked me about the stages while I was waiting at the bar for my no-cap bottle of water. All it took was to have ONE large diagram near the lobby, denoting the three stages and which DJs(and their set times) will be spinning at each stage. Is that too much to ask? Did I just completely miss this? It's not like the organizers would benefit from having people lost and missing out on their favorite DJs. Unless we had insider information that Polk Auditorium(?) was "stage two", you had to basically wade through dozens of glowsticks, ravers, and angel wings to even figure out that Blank & Jones is playing on the stage right now(assuming that you know what they look like). Only then would one conclude that this must be stage two, meaning that the room on the OTHER side of the main stage one must be stage three... I mean... this would only add to the chaos and people running around. Right? Again, if there was a map/diagram, then... I'm an idiot. Let's move on.

*** End of rant ***

Music was amazing, which made up for it ALL. Once I got situated with my friends at stage two to catch Blank & Jones, it was all thumpin', melodic trance.(with the exception of the power cutting out on them not once, not twice, but THREE times... I'll leave it up to other reviewers to express their annoyance about that one; B&J handled it brilliantly, though, imo because if you think Oakey would not have just stormed out if it happens to him twice, then you're crazy) I, as many of you have as well, read the set times in TA forum, and was a bit disappointed how short each of your favorite DJ was spinning. Last night, I didn't even pay attention to the set lengths. Mike Koglin had everyone nicely warmed up by the time B&J came on. I have to say that B&J were amazing, churning out the likes of "No One On Earth"(?) and Killer's "Mr. Brightside". As mentioned the power cut out three times, but the place was jumping regardless. Above & Beyond came on and kept the crowd jumping with a classic Delirium's "Silence", "Sirens of the Sea", and their new track, "Alone Tonight". No dice on them playing "Satellite". Maybe Paavo held on to the track for himself back at home. Would have loved to hear the crowd sing along as they did the last time they played it, though. As soon as Tony and Jono left the stage, I quickly moved to stage one, along with 328 others, where Ferry had started his set 30 minutes before. This is when I realized that yes, the auditorium does, indeed, have a ventilation system - just not in the side rooms. Ferry is Ferry. Guaranteed good times, as I say. The man just never lets up on his energy. How he manages to continuously build up the music without ever relenting... I know it makes no logical sense, but that's what I'm saying, folks. "Lately", "Without You" from his latest ablum, and the ever-so-overplayed-but-who-cares-because-you-know-you-love-it-anthem, "Punk". At the end of the night Ferry glanced over at his watch, he held up four fingers, then one. Got it - four minutes left, one more track. And he starts spinning, " Just a great night.

Alright, my 5382-word limit is almost up. All in all, small issues aside(can't please everyone, right?), the party was amazing and my friends and I had a great time.(albeit 18+) I can't wait for next year.



P.S. Sorry I missed all the TAs... I didn't want to miss out on the music. I think I may have seen DJWoody in the front for B&J, but didn't see Chris or Michelle. I guess I'll just have to hook up with y'all when I fly down for Ferry every month for the next six.

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03.15 Simon Patterson [Avalon]