| There are a couple ways to tell a party’s gonna be off the hook—the lineup, the venue, the crews working in the background. When I saw the flier, I just knew this would be the one. Despite a last minute venue change, back to good old’ Asylum (get used to it party kids, it’s the scene’s safe haven), there was nothing that could bring this show down. When we finally got through the gates at 11:30, George Acosta had just come onto the tables, and delivered 2 hours of pure electronic heaven. Now there’s a man who knows how names are made. His set of hard trance and house made the hours fly by, and filled the bard with beats and dancing kids. As his set wound down, it looked like the next man on the lineup, AK1200, wouldn’t be making it to the show, so DJ Icey took over the tables. Now I admit, Drum and Bass is not my forte, but I still couldn’t keep from dancing. With the exception of one horrendous train wreck, everything was great. I guess every DJ has their day, but I have to say in all the parties I’ve seen Ron-E spin (see below for review) there hasn’t been even the hint of a train wreck. Moving on from that shameless plug, about ¾ of the way through Icey’s set, the vendor in the back of the venue ran out of bottled water. I’ve NEVER seen that happen before; that can tell you how massive this party was. The only source of water for thousands of dancing kids on a warm spring break night was a single tap tucked into the corner of the venue. There were people drinking from one another’s cupped hands, throwing water up in the air to cool people off—but not once did a fight break out over the water. People passed up their bottles and they were filled and passed back, the ones who needed the water the most didn’t even have to ask to get up there for a drink—it was the truly loving, caring vibe that only the old-school kids can remember. While I was waiting at the tap myself to fill up a bottle, AK1200 finally showed up and DJ Icey finished out his set. As AK1200 started spinning, you could almost see the breakers creeping out of the woodwork in the place. First one, then two or three, then all of a sudden almost 20 of the best dancers I’ve ever seen were breaking, surrounded by huge cheering, clapping, foot stomping audiences. The way their bodies’ moved-it was incredible. They almost made you not notice the music going on in the background; you were so amazed by what was going on in the middle of the circle. When AK1200 spun down, I was starting to drag a little, until I checked out my watch—4AM, it was time for Ron-E to come on. Now here is a DJ who knows how to keep a party going. He’s an Ol’ Ag (yes, he had his ring on as he was spinning), who spins hard progressive trance and loves it. I’ve never seen anyone enjoy their own set as much as he did. Anyone who can dance AND play with a triple cross fader (highs, mids, and bass, folks) like there’s no challenge is a hero in my book. He threw down one of the craziest sets I’ve ever heard; there was a touch of D&B, some UK hard house, and of course the classic progressive trance that keeps his loyal fans (yes that’s me) begging for more. And beg we did. After an hour and a half of the Ron-E experience, the house was full of people chanting “Ron-E, Ron-E” and he delivered. His last two tracks were unbelievable, he threw the fader around like it was a kid’s toy, and grinned from ear to ear, loving every second of it. The entire set he was about 2 yards from the crowd, opting to set his tables up within an arms reach of kids rather than on some podium set up for everyone else. When the lights finally came on, I couldn’t believe the sun would be coming up on the drive back to the apartment. I’d made it through a water shortage, a DJ-almost-no-show, an incredibly hot venue, a huge crowd, and hours and hours of incredible music. This was by far the best party of spring break, and will be nearly impossible to top in my book. |
