Tiesto 'Elements of Life' @ Festival Hall, Melbourne (26/04/08)
The rain fell, and in keen anticipation the masses lined outside the perimeter of Festival Hall to experience the ‘Elements of Life’ showcase well before the clock was telling us it was time to begin. Slowly building to the start of a great night with crescendo beats and strobe lasers filling the air, the crowd started to warm up to the tunes of the support slot. While picking up a drink or two and in between meeting up with friends, the heat and pure happy energy that is in the air during the wait for the Grammy award-winning DJ starts to build. There is a rush to the main stage, a silence and then a roar of appreciation when the lasers and pyrotechnics explode to reveal the main man.
The beats and mixes dropped by Tiesto were so well tuned to the interactive laser and visual displays brought over from his homeland, that it was all a natural progression throughout the night. Out on the weathered hard wood dancefloor where many rock punters had stomped, there was now a smiling and pumped gathering all with water bottles in hand, dancing to a different beat, who all so grateful when the air conditioning was switched on to full force. If you weren’t moving to the ‘Elements of Life’ set or staring in awe at the coordinated music-to-screen visuals and lighting, then you were up on the balcony or side seat areas taking some time to chill with friends. And this is where the rave circles really got into it. Gathering momentum into their zone, timing the spins and shuffles to the soundwaves before taking a seat or heading outside to catch some chilled air. The smokers gathered together in the small corners hiding from the rain, and the buzz from the people that I talked to was amazing. Tiesto is really getting through to people, and his sell out shows in Melbourne alone prove his worth to the dance scene.
Usually I go to the big outdoor summer festivals, where there’s always something to distract you if you get bored. But there was no need for distraction this time as the guy delivered, and wel land truly catered to the crowd. It was amazing how the crowd and the DJ are so in tune, there is literally a buzz. With 2 hours to go everyone is not wasting a minute on the bar lines. Despite being messy with bottles and tired patrons, the floor is packed and the uplifting, faster trance picks up as the crowd bring it home, preparing them for the big lights and beautifully choreographed dance sequence on the digital screen that we’re treated to for the remainder. Energised and ready with more effects, Tiesto encourages the roar and his stage show takes it up another notch. And the Elements of Life set was well worth it to the very end. Punters who actually got body parts signed by the DJ were beyond happy, and the swell of sweaty bodies with smiles was testament to how happy everybody left the show.
trustcondi says...
was adagio played?
AVB_No_1 says...
FUCK IT WAS A AMAZING NIGHT!!! I WISH IT DIDN'T HAVE TO END, HE PLAYED THE BEST TRACKS, AND CLOSED WITH A MONSTER 'ADAGIO FOR STRINGS' - WHAT A FUCKIN' NIGHT
sylvsky13 says...
After eagerly waiting for 4 years for Tiesto to come back to Australia, a group of us travelled all the way from Perth to go see him play his magic.. He kept pumping the music higher and higher even after you though it couldn't get any higher, with hit after hit including a few old favs. This night is one of the greatest nights that i will cherish forever in my memory. AWESOME....!
barkus says...
great review - really captured the feeling of the eve nicely Sirendoll!
nikki_s says...
I went and saw the Sunday nights show, and was not overly impressed. After seeing Tiesto 4 years ago when he did Together on NYE this was a little bit dull. The crowd wasnt what I expected, and I was really hoping Tiesto would pump out some hard tracks early on - the crowd were pretty keen, although you could see people getting a little bored at some stages. It was the same experience that I remember from a few years ago! The lighting was reasonably good, although one minute, they were either all going off full ball, or they werent at all. I was a little dissappointed, only because I have seen him before and I expected a little bit more. Could of been because it was Sunday night as well!
Nezzie says...
Is it just me, or is this an incomplete review of the night? I seem to know everything about the night (the description of what was happening around is great) except for the music itself, and how good/bad Tiesto really was (I think he deserves a more detailed review, given his status in the trance world). I would think this takes a higher place on the list of priorities than everything else. Apologies for the criticism, but I really feel this review does not do any justice for the night. But hey - at the end of the day this is just my view on this review, which can mean what you like *shrugs*
trance_barbie says...
Saturday nights concert was the BEST time of my life EVER! Tiesto was absolutely amazing. Words cant even describe the excitement in the air and the power he held over the crowd. I have been waiting four long years to get the chance to see this TRANCE GOD play, and boy was it worth the wait. I almost passed out several times from being so excited, so worked up and dancing so much! He played all his best songs, new and old. That nite will remain the best ever of my life. My only problem now is dealing with the depression and having to go back to boring normal life. I wish i could freeze frame that night and live ther forever! Only true Tiesto fans will understand and agree, he is the BEST FUCKING DJ IN THE WORLD!!!!
Gspot says...
OMG I'm so excited...thanks for your reviews of the night guys...i'm going to this Sat's show in Sydney and I can't waitttt. I missed out on seeing him 4yrs ago so i've pretty much waited a decade!! I'm sure everyone has their own opinions of their experience of the night but good or bad, you can't deny his talent and have respect of what he does!! He is definitely the BEST FCKEN DJ EVER....along side Armin of course ;)
Gspot says...
Btw how long was his set? i heard it was only 3hrs?
trashberry says...
how long was his set? what tracks did he play?
R1POWER says...
Sorry I have to vent. After 4 yrs of waiting and 2 decades of raves this show was a sub standard event. The venue sucked I cant believe a #1 DJ would even walk into such a dive. After playing ther likes Iplema and global gathering I truly wonder what he really thought. Second his set although ok was still far from his best. Sadly tiesto now regurgs most of his mixes to the point you can tell the next track now. The production was poor. Especially compared to Armin white 07 or Godskitchen 07. WOW a big screen whoopeee go to a gp guys... and 2 blow up dolls hanging from the roof and the KISS style fire cannons and smoke machine old and boring and not very original at the least, not for the last 20 odd years anyway. Also who in there right mind holds a rave @ a FAMILY FRIENDLY 7:30? Should I bring my kids along is it an underage event? WHAT A JOKE TIESTO and for over $100 BUCKS your 2 and bit hour set wasn't worth the cash. At least ARMIN plays firstly different sets and for more than it takes to watch a dvd. Your reign at the top is over as is my raving if this is the level of crap thats going to be produced by you. BUY THE DVD DONT BOTHER EX TIETSO FAN
R1POWER says...
After waiting 4 yrs for this so called techno god to play I have to say it was one of the worst ever. Firstly The venue festival hall should be bulldozed into the ground and its a disgrace that a world class DJ played in such a rank and scummy s#$t hole. He played in front of 300,000 people in brazil and we shack him up in festival hall? Secondly who the hell goes to a rave @ a and i qoute your site " family friendly" 7:30? I mean come on tiesto are you too old now to play more than 2 hrs? or do you need quality time with your new girl? or should I bring my kids to a rave? Armin played for 6 last year and 9 hrs in 3 weeks, So it dont cut it paying $100 bucks too see a regurg of the copenhagen DVD and also a very very sub standard production at a complete dive. KISS was using flames and smoke cannons 30 years ago whoppeee. Overall I was totally disappointed and let down by his performance and production. Maybe tiesto should go to godskitchen or maybe armin to see how its still done. A COMPLETE SELLOUT THUMBS DOWN.
MattyL says...
R1Power you are a total tool. First of all the other venues in Melbourne that could have held a larger Tiesto show were booked (Foo Fighters and other events that i can't remember). So Festival Hall was the best option. I thought the sound and the layout were quite good. Obviously not at the level of say his Copenhagen show which you mentioned, but did you really expect it to be? What a stupid thing to say about his track selection as well. That Copenhagen show was in his Elements of Life Tour.. Which is what this show was. He changed it up a little from show to show but of course there are going to be a number of similarities. Seriously is there something wrong with you? I mean any band that goes on a tour will play a very similar set from show to show. Tiesto played all the favourites. I loved it. Amazing vibe in the place, i cant say i saw or talked to anyone who didnt look or say they were having/had the time of their life. Amazing show. Really played to the crowd. Can't wait to see him again.
summerday says...
RIPOWERr-YOUR A LOSER
the_pez69 says...
how do you write your own review of an event? i went to the thurs show and this does indeed sound like an incomplete review! and for those of you dissing the show...wtf were you on? id say some unhappy pills! im not a trance fan but i absolutely loved every second of the entire show! tiesto was flawless and all the lighting and pyrotechnics fitted in perfectly!
sirendoll83 says...
The crowd was really young and they did not know the older sets from 5 years ago unless they were hardcore fans. I think the venue was ok but it felt like a disco hall. Another venue for next time or getting Tiesto to play a festival set would be great. He played so many good tracks that I could not remember all of them. Next time i'll pay more attention while i'm dancing.
vampyro says...
R1POWER u cant tell the diff between techno and trance?? why are u even at the event u noob?! Tiesto's events has the best light/laser shows than any dj..even armin sad to say.