Sydney DJs Declan Lee and Ben Korbel, on a two month tour throughout Europe, keep us abreast of the summer party on the other side of the globe!
EPISODE 1 – BERLIN, GERMANY
Hullooo from western Germany where it’s a very toasty 38 degrees Celsius. We’re currently sitting in the Moguai / Punx studios, attempting to remember the past two week haze since landing in Europe on 12 July. Here goes…
Friday 14 July – arriving in Berlin
We’ve finally arrived in Berlin after nearly two days of traveling and waiting in airports. Someone smells. Declan needs a good shower. But before we have time to even wash, Moguai and Martin (Punx records head honcho) are taking us out raving to see Paul Van Dyk, Sander Kleinenberg and Moguai at a little party with more than 10,000 people at it. And it’s the night before Love Parade (and Ben’s birthday!) Parties of this size are a dime a dozen in Berlin.
Saturday 15 July – the Love Parade
Love Parade is here… a free dance party on the streets of Berlin for more than 1 million clubbers and ravers from across Europe and the world. We’re walking to Brandenburg gate to meet Wade who organized the Australian Pulse Radio float (a semi trailor armed with a huge sound system, a DJ booth, podium for 30 people and a fridge full of beer). Honhourable appearances come from DJs Langdon Cook, Trent Anthony, Mark Dynamix, Nik Fish, Amber Savage and Murat as well as Sam (Powerhouse Productions).
The floats roll down the main roads in Berlin and as the day grows old, the crowds too grow and more than 1 million party people gather around the main stage for a finale to end all finale. DJs on the main stage include Tiefschwarz, Ewan Pearson, Anje Schneider, Ricardo Villalobos and Tiesto! The style played is very German, quite minimal and probably best described as slow melodic techno. It’s amazing to see one million people dancing to music that in Australia might be relegated to a party for 300 people. Ewan Pearson opening with Fairmont – Gazebo (Border Community Records) was a spine tingling moment we’ll never forget!
Sunday 16 July – the after parties
From the Love Parade, amazingly we are able to get a cab with no waiting! We head to the B-Pitch Control label party at a riverside club called Watergate. A female DJ called Heidi is playing jumping techno and house records. From here we go to another club called Panorama Bar. It is located in an industrial complex in what looks like a two story abandoned warehouse. It’s very dark inside with twisted house music belting on both floors. From Panorama Bar, we go back to the hotel for a brief rest. Come afternoon we head to Club De Visionaires, a quaint bar on a river with a large outdoors section.
On the decks is Ricardo Villalobos who continues to play for 12 hours. This guy is a freak and probably the most impressive DJ seen on tour thus far. Deep, funky but minimal house from out of space might be a vague description of the music. Suffice to say that the club was rocking from start to finish. The sound system was loud enough though not so loud that diners at the restaurant across the water (only 100m away) would be disturbed. You could easily talk above it. The indoors bar/DJ area only fit 100 people and splilled out to an outdoors patio vibe for another 400 odd cool Berliners and industry types.
Monday 17 July – the after parties continue
After a good but relaxed 12 hours at Club De Visionaires, much spent under a lovely willow tree, an sms arrived from Damian Lazarus who had come into Berlin from Ibiza for a night of raving. We hopped in a cab searching for the Crosstown Rebels party, featuring Damian, Pier Bucci live, Kiki & Silversurfer and Dinky. The cab driver dropped us off at the given address and there was nothing to see but darkness. After noticing some people walking down a dark bush path, we followed in pursuit and found what looked like a scout hall with sandpits around it. Sure enough, the party was inside and the music once again, nothing short of inspiring. And the people were loving it.
A well earnt rest at the hotel and it was time to step up again, this time heading to Club 25, located in East Berlin at the only remaining section of the Berlin Wall. The venue was a series of courtyards with a country and western style hut as the bar/DJ area, with a big balcony overlooking the river. Entry was free and DJs were Richie Hawtin and Damian Lazarus, playing back to back from 2pm til around 12midnight. The best way to describe this party would be loose!
Thursday 20 July –day(s) of rest
After a couple of days rest, we arrived at our final night in Berlin. Both of us had to DJ at Weekend Club with Ewan Pearson and it was a gig we’d very much been looking forwards to. The venue is fifteen floors atop a city office building and is one of the classier club venues in Berlin, girls in dresses and heels, etc, though the music policy is still super cool and the vibe memorable! Come 5am, it was time to head for the airport, straight from the club, as we had a flight to Valencia, Spain, for the Benicasim festival.
Coming up in the next report, Benicassim Festival, Moguai & Friends party (yes back to Germany), and then over to Ibiza, London, Ireland and Shanghai. Stay tuned..!
Mr Ploppy says...
Sweet lamb of God...squeeze it all in why don't ya? jealous as all fuk. Btw that heidi chick is one of the owners of Phonica in London and a good mate of Ewans. Has tasty track out on Get Phys with Riton...