Let me recap from my "Been there EVERY year since the beginning" perspective....
The good:
No tickets to buy stuff (pls don't ever bring that back)
Sound quality at the Red Bull, Beatport & Main Stage
THE WEATHER
Fast lines
Nice people (not as many in your face people)
Dry grass at the Beatport stage
Carl Cox
Ryan Elliot
Luciano & Loco Dice
The after parties (Kill your TV & whatever was at the works Saturday night)
Quality Sleep!
Not being cracked out
Ho-Hums:
The music overall (not very many stand outs this year, just overall kinda "ok"
Food and drink prices
Not enough "DE-TROIT" chants
Visual Astetics at the main stage (better than last year, but COME ON! BRING THE BIG STUFF!) Ever seen a cold play music vid or concert? Nine Inch Nails? Trans Siberian Orchestra? The technology exists, for the love of god, spend some more money!
Flying Lotus
Z-Trip (which I was TOTALLY looking forward to... blah)
Marco Corolla
Adam Beyer
Popper & Break Dance Circles (the highlight of my trip b/c I'm hardcore into that stuff)
The bad:
Ugly ravers, hippies, just plain nasties etc
Boring monster Dj's
Poeple Puking at 2pm in the afternoon?!?!?! wth?
The Ren Cen not allowing coolers! I knew ahead of time, but its still dumb! Nice place though, we'll stay there again.
Overall, it was one of the most solid trips up to the D yet. The production was strong, the music was diverse and the system was good enough. We really paced ourselves this year and just kind of chilled. My feet never got sore (a first) and we just kind of took it all in. It was a relaxed and fun experience and I will remember a lot more of it this year than in the many, many years past. Ah.... to be an aging party goer. I'm just glad that as my want/need to get twisted for these events diminishes, my love for the music just grows stronger and I have an even better time with out the additives.
**To anyone that hasn't been there in awhile or has never been** This festival REALLY IS THE PERFECT PARTY! Think about it... 3 days of non stop electronic music, show up when you want, leave when you want, food, drinks, alcohol, world class talent, tons of hotels within walking distance, amazing after parties every night, after after parties, awesome sound, solid lighting, 4 stages of music, rockin venue and cool city (imo). If you are in to elctronic music, what more could ask for? Rent a hotel w/in a mile (reserve months in advance, prices go up closer to the holiday weekend), split the hotel cost with another couple, take cabs for more than a mile drives (or if your tired/lazy) and buy tickets in advance! We got weekend passes for $25. Join Paxahau's list.
Fun Fun FUN! I'll go every year... keep em comin!
P.S. where the hell were all the minus Dj's? Is Pax mad at them, or visa versa? Something's amuck, they had nothing on the calender and are a staple in the D. Oh well, it gave me an excuse to check out something else this time around. They had better be back next year!
![:\](https://bluelight.org/xf/BL_Images/Orig_Emoji/wrygrin.gif "wry grin :\")
damn the echo box, bring back the tent
