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REVIEW: WEMF 2004 ... easily the best music weekend ever! (pg. 5)
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| Dr Trance |
I normally leave the reviews to everyone else, but this time I wanted to add my 2 cents' worth. As one of only 3 DJs to have played WEMF all ten years (OS/2 and Mystical Influence being the other two), I first off want to send props to everyone who had anything to do with this year's event, which was extraordinarily well organized and run (from my perspective, of course, which is always slightly skewed because I don't have to wait in lineups, etc).
I brought two friends who had never been to WEMF and who were also similarly impressed. One of these friends has extensive (media) experience with festivals-including Live Aid-and couldn't stop talking about how well run WEMF was.
As usual, it was great to see many friends and especially DJs whom I only get to see once per year. Lab 4 not only blew me away (I think my head exploded about 40 minutes into their set), but were extremely nice and bright fellows to talk to. I spent more time chatting with Adam than I ever have with any other performer during any party. Johan Gielen and JOOF continue to be two of my favourite trance DJs and did not disappoint Saturday night (although I "hit the wall" about halfway through 00's set and had to call it a night). Johann is one class act and proved it again with his set and his attitude toward the crowd. And as I said on the mic...mad props to Tranceaddict for believing in this man and bringing him back to Canada so we can experience what other audiences around the world have known for some time is one of the best trance DJs of our time.
One note about our classic WEMF set. Ryan and I discussed how we would present the music and decided that since our time was limited we would mix out of tunes wherever possible to get as many of the anthems played as possible within the time frame. Unfortunately this decision resulted in some mixes that just didn't sound proper (plus the fact that Ryan uses the cross fader for mixing and I don't and I kept forgetting to reset it, so there were times that I thought I was mixing in a new track and I wasn't!). Hopefully the choice of tunes played made up for what we had to do to get them all in!
I hope to see you at the Ascension vs. Aquabass boat cruise on
August 27. As an added bonus, because I have been working with him to make some new tracks...and because I think he's a GREAT DJ, St. Pete will go head to head with me that night on the trance deck.
Peace and respect to you all.
=d= |
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| StereoPrincess |
| quote: | Originally posted by amb_
- Chris |
Oh my. I didn't know that you were amb_ Chris.
Awesome.
Margaret |
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| Dr. Z |
Always nice to see the Dr.
Good job! |
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| drewfactor |
| quote: | Originally posted by Dr Trance
One note about our classic WEMF set. Ryan and I discussed how we would present the music and decided that since our time was limited we would mix out of tunes wherever possible to get as many of the anthems played as possible within the time frame. Unfortunately this decision resulted in some mixes that just didn't sound proper (plus the fact that Ryan uses the cross fader for mixing and I don't and I kept forgetting to reset it, so there were times that I thought I was mixing in a new track and I wasn't!). Hopefully the choice of tunes played made up for what we had to do to get them all in. |
To be honest, I don't recall noticing any flaws in your set (and I was sober for your set). It was great to hear your set with OS/2 because it's so rare to hear all those classic anthems at parties it seems! Loved it! One of my favorite sets of the weekend for sure. |
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| DJ_Ampz |
| quote: | Originally posted by Dr Trance
I hope to see you at the Ascension vs. Aquabass boat cruise on
August 27. As an added bonus, because I have been working with him to make some new tracks...and because I think he's a GREAT DJ, St. Pete will go head to head with me that night on the trance deck.
=d= |
Yes, and thank you for the interview. Should be on the show in the next few weeks (got so many dont know what to do with them). Also that new track you did. WOWOW! awsome stuff. love it. You got a thing for the 80's vocal remakes eh? haha
Ampz
ps. All interviews will be up in a few weeks on amplifiedradio.com |
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| liquidchick |
Wow, I can't believe WEMF is already over! It seems like only yesterday that we were getting ready to go and now it seems like a million years away. Where do I begin? Friday night was amazing but the first night of WEMF always is. Liberator and D:Fuse were great. Madame Zu was amazing as usual. I totally wasn't feeling Scott Project or Lab 4. I don't even think I stayed to hear their whole set. It was great seeing TAs...Drewfactor, nice to finally meet you. Dennis, sorry I missed your set. I think I partied too hard on Friday so by time Saturday night came, I didn't have much energy. I sat on the floor during Dr. Trance and OS/2s set wishing I could dance to those classical WEMF tracks they played. Thanks for taking me back to the good old Ascension days guys. By the time Geilen came on, I was on my feet. Wow! His set blew me away. Great mixing and track selection. Finally the man himself, John "00" Fleming. The last time I saw him was at Viva's one year anniversay and have been looking forward to seeing him again ever since. I loved his set. He started off mellow and then he just got the crowd going nuts with psy-trance. I can't wait to see him again next week at BOA. Hopefully he'll spin some of his newer stuff.
Overall, WEMF was really great. This was my fourth time going and if what I'm hearing is not true, then hopefully not my last. It was a lot smaller than previous years and better than last year. I can't believe how many first timers there were. Anywayz, thanks to the crew that made WEMF happen this year. Now WEMF '04 is just another memory. |
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| drewfactor |
As for my WEMF review? FAWK!!! What an awesome weekend! It's only the day after and I feel overwhelmed with memories and nostalgia, as if it was a long time ago. Does anyone else feel this way too?? I must say, it's been a long time since I've felt that sort of post party reflectiveness.
Great to party with many TAs, meeting several I've never met before and partying with the usuals! I'm dissappointed I didn't spend more time with you guys, as well as spending more time at the TA talent arena, but with all the stuff going on that weekend, it's hard to balance everything!
I came up with my buddy kris (mortyman on TA) who actually came out here from Whistler BC. You know a true partier when they coincide their vacation with WEMF! Him being the man who first introduced me to the scene, now is the one who I get to go to the FIRST WEMF with.
The Venue: Amazingly clean, friendly and helpful security (including the cops), all the dance arenas were well set up (incl. lights and decor), great stages. Camping area, I thought, would be a disaster but it turned out great!!
Sound: WOW!! If any of you have read my party reviews in the past, you would know this is a real stickler for me. Call me an audiophile, but I must have good sound or the party is ruined. The sound was CRISP CLEAR and POUNDING. The Bassline mainstage didn't sound as good to me, but maybe cuz it's not my type of music. I remember RJ, Mortyman and I standing outside the TA talent arena feeling absolutely floored by the sound. Just us three were there dancing in the sunset as Matt Marshall was spinning. Classic!
The Music: The only sets that stuck out for me on Friday were D:Fuse and Scot Project, and they both blew me away. I really need to check out more of D;Fuse, I was well impressed. Scot project, I saw him in the UK before, but this set was probably almost as good. The only downer on Friday was the lack of energy from the crowd, but I tried to not let that stop me. Saturday night was a blast. Lab 4 I also saw in the UK and they were amazing, tons of energy, really into it. Johan was better than last time, probably the best I've seen of him. Jon 00 Fleming, I say no more...this guy is now my favorite dj/producer. I also wanted to mention that some of our local talent on the main stage like Deko-ze and OS/2 and Dr. Trance were also amazing and by no means pale in comparison to the international talent.
The crowd/pariers: Met tons of amazing people! I felt so patriotic meeting so many Americans who had nothing but praise for our great country and how much they like us. They have no events like WEMF down there, so I don't blame some of them for coming as far as umm...California!?!? Definitely more of "raver" crowd. Lots of baggy pants that I thought were dresses and tilted hats. Definitely not the "Guv" crowd. As tatgirl said, minimal sketchiness.
Diversions: The beach was sooo much fun, the weather was perfect. Did anyone buy any merchandise on Sunday? The best time for deals. I got a nice glass pipe (originally $25) and I got it for $15 plus a free pipe thrown in, plus free incence!!
If anyone saw me with my shirt off during Gielen's set, it's not my fault!! I know it's pretty much a consensus among all of us that nobody wants sweaty shirtless dudes around us! But this girl I met kept on trying to take my shirt off! I resisted many times and tried to avoid it, but then it hit me..."why am I resisting when a cute girl with a dynamite body is trying to take my clothes off... besides it's really frickin hot." So the inevitable happened. Then she started passing my shirt to all her friends when I tried to get it back. I got it back eventually, if recall, it was when she started using it as a sweat rag that I had to draw the line.
AHHHHH...good times.
Hopefully see you all next year
:D :D :D :D |
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| drewfactor |
| quote: | Originally posted by liquidchick
Wow, I can't believe WEMF is already over! It seems like only yesterday that we were getting ready to go and now it seems like a million years away. Where do I begin? Friday night was amazing but the first night of WEMF always is. Liberator and D:Fuse were great. Madame Zu was amazing as usual. I totally wasn't feeling Scott Project or Lab 4. I don't even think I stayed to hear their whole set. It was great seeing TAs...Drewfactor, nice to finally meet you. Dennis, sorry I missed your set. I think I partied too hard on Friday so by time Saturday night came, I didn't have much energy. I sat on the floor during Dr. Trance and OS/2s set wishing I could dance to those classical WEMF tracks they played. Thanks for taking me back to the good old Ascension days guys. By the time Geilen came on, I was on my feet. Wow! His set blew me away. Great mixing and track selection. Finally the man himself, John "00" Fleming. The last time I saw him was at Viva's one year anniversay and have been looking forward to seeing him again ever since. I loved his set. He started off mellow and then he just got the crowd going nuts with psy-trance. I can't wait to see him again next week at BOA. Hopefully he'll spin some of his newer stuff.
Overall, WEMF was really great. This was my fourth time going and if what I'm hearing is not true, then hopefully not my last. It was a lot smaller than previous years and better than last year. I can't believe how many first timers there were. Anywayz, thanks to the crew that made WEMF happen this year. Now WEMF '04 is just another memory. |
I was looking for you the rest of Friday night after I first met you, for the rest of the weekend for that matter. Ah well, at least now we'll recognise each other at future events. |
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| paul d engineer |
Does everyone want to know what I though of this years WEMF?
WEMF 2004 IN' ROCKED!!!!!!
That is all, now I'm back to waiting for my plane to get here. |
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| StereoPrincess |
so funny. |
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| StereoPrincess |
Lab 4 where insane! |
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