Hard Trance Events Scene Decline?

[Hakka.]

I suppose only people like Mark EG and M-Zone can offer the best opinion on this, but is the clubbing scene for hard trance & hard style dissappearing or reducing?

We've seen the closure of many clubs... Candy Store in Plymouth (now opened again but half capacity in different location), Country Club closed, Monastrey shut down, Subterrania ended, North finishing...

It seems like established nights are shutting down and one off nights with DJ's scraping the pounds together to barely break even is what is left these days. What is going on???

I know so many people who make a constant loss just so they can play out. Its harsh... but it just feels that there is nowhere near the amount of people in to underground music as there used to be.

Dance Academy's numbers have dropped so much in the last year... where does it all end?

I'm curious to Mark EG can say about this... over the last 3 years... has his hard trance/hardstyle bookings remained in being the same sort of size events? or has his bookings come from smaller events and only a few large ones?

Just finding it hard to see where a stable DJ`ing future is, or do we have to create our own? Just that I can see eventually hundreds of small events and no more big ones as promoters and club owners can't make any money out of underground music, unless a lot of money is put on the line in getting the DJ's in (and Premonition in Seaton recently showed, big DJ's don't always garantuee packed croweds... despite offering a quality night!)

More clubs need to open... or something. Any ideas? or am I perhaps being negative and not seeing what we've got as being better than before?

comments would be appreciated! :)

[Voorheez]

I would definitely say that the majority of dance clubs are having a rough time of it at the moment, and us at the harder end of things don't help each other with the constant turmoil between genres. There now is even a big divide between hardstyle & hard trance, which doesn't help bring new comers to our sound, because our scene looks so volatile. Added to the fact of the larger clubs shutting for various reasons (not all unpopularity) and the music just not being as good anymore, it's harder to get new people interested, and that's where the lifeblood of clubs is.

[Shichi]

Monasterys new night Pilgramige in Plymouth is opening very soon I hear! ;)

[MARKEG]

wow. this is a massive massive massive subject :!:

but i've had a few Stella's hehe so please bear with me :) BUT....

hakka, you've probably created the post of the year as far as i'm concerned. and i love you for it.. and also please dont take any offence from what i'm about to write but it's all with a masive passion i hope you see this ;) hmm.. ok here's goes nothing:

this post is replicated every single year in some shape or form or another in some different way within all music genres. to me, the key is: postivitity AND change. that's what keeps me going and will always keep me going.

please let's try to stay +ve whilst we all talk about this...anyway, enough of the crap.

Now the scary shit as far as you're concerned?!?!!? (IMO):

1) Hardstyle HAS fragmented the Hard Trance scene.
2) Hard trance (of the 00-03 variety) IS dying out in the UK/Worldwide
3) Hard/Club music is changing

Right NOW the good shit:

1) Everything MUST change. Had we not had the same shit in 1992, trance would never have been born. TBH none of this dance music thing would have been born were it not for breaking up of music/conflicting ideas/change.
2) Music needs to change or else everything sounds the same. We need to get new ppl into our movement. Our scene keeps fresh.

You know, I get soooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo ****in disheartened with this music movement sometimes. it's like everyone is scared of change - the very opposite of what this music is about!!! please for gods sake guys!!!! can't you see change is a good thing??? sure things were great as they were but love those memories, keep them close to your heart... but move on.

hakka mate, you talk about 'our sound' like it's a sound that is 'ours'. surely it's the 'attitude' about the music that is 'ours', not the sound??? or am i talking shit??

hmm... it's such a masive topic and one that will talked about forever. but yet music will go forward. what i'm bothered about is how we keep those friendships we've formed, that ethos and that felling that was so important when we joined this music thing???? surely you all joined it could it was like nothing else you'd ever heard/witnessed/seen ie a mixture of the above ;)

anyway quote your post:


I would definitely say that the majority of dance clubs are having a rough time of it at the moment, and us at the harder end of things don't help each other with the constant turmoil between genres. There now is even a big divide between hardstyle & hard trance, which doesn't help bring new comers to our sound, because our scene looks so volatile. Added to the fact of the larger clubs shutting for various reasons (not all unpopularity) and the music just not being as good anymore, it's harder to get new people interested, and that's where the lifeblood of clubs is.

Music not as good anymore?!!?!?!!!!!! Are you not record shopping?!?!?!!! You have to search. ITS AN AMAZING TIME FOR MUSIC!!! Ppl can get everything so easy BUT What can be more exciting than having to look hard?!!?!!! I dont doubt you are mate but come on!!!........

Also: Harder to get new ppl interested? Hmmm.. I can see this from certain DJ's, but me... no chance. I really feel I'm getting alot of new ppl on board at the mo. Whether that's techno into trance or vica versa, wow this is a really important time. There's so much -veity out there. we all have a chance to make a difference right now and I hope I'm doing my bit.


I suppose only people like Mark EG and M-Zone can offer the best opinion on this, but is the clubbing scene for hard trance & hard style dissappearing or reducing?

errmm.. evolving... ;)


We've seen the closure of many clubs... Candy Store in Plymouth (now opened again but half capacity in different location), Country Club closed, Monastrey shut down, Subterrania ended, North finishing...

It seems like established nights are shutting down and one off nights with DJ's scraping the pounds together to barely break even is what is left these days. What is going on???

evolution... it's sad but true....


I know so many people who make a constant loss just so they can play out. Its harsh... but it just feels that there is nowhere near the amount of people in to underground music as there used to be.

If I'm going to be 100% honest with you I'll say that you're right IF you're talking about the South West Hard Trance Scene 1 yr/2yrs ago . As far as 'underground' music goes, I dont think we could be any stronger. I really feel we're all on a mission like never before.

PPL need to evolve and understand evolution.

Hope everyone else understands...

[Voorheez]

Honestly Mark, i've been listening to tunes from about a year ago, from even the end of last year and I honestly don't think what I am buying at the moment (and I search high and low) is anywhere near as good as the stuff that was released then. I'm not being negative, I try to be positive, but I just think it's true. I used to be able to listen to other forms of dance music, but none of that sticks out to me anymore either. I would think it was just my taste was changing, but many other people seem to feel the same way.

And as for getting new people into it - i'm talking about people fresh to dance music. Sure we have lots of new members on the board, but they're for the most part already into dance music/clubbing. I'm talking about attracting people who are uninitiated in dance music to events or the scene, which i honestly don't think happens much anymore. Other forms of music are far more prevelant.

[Shichi]

Good post Mark!

To be honest with everyone, I'm trying to step out from hard trance at the moment and trying to find something new and fresh or something which i can love to bits, This is what makes music exciting, there's so many tracks to choose from that you've got to look hard for something really special and once you've found it you've got a feeling that no other thing can match! It's sometimes even better than sex!! :lol:

I'm going to talk about the 'new generation' of djs now, When I look at DJ biographies you see that they've come from there roots and progressed into what they play today, I expect they didn't like change but at the same time I bet they were exciting times when it happened...

The 'new generation' of DJs can't expect to play the same stuff for 10years otherwise you will get left behind, I've been into hard trance for the last 3/4 years now and I've had good memories and they will never leave me because they are my roots and I love the music with a passion, But I also understand that to move on I need to widen my horizons and look for a new 'style' if you like...

Don't get me wrong the music I love now will never leave me and just because I'm out there looking for new stuff doesn't mean I haven't got time for hard trance anymore It's just because in 10years time when I'm writing my biography so far I want to put 'Hard Trance' @ the start and then I will be proud to of been part of the scene :clap:

[Hakka.]

hakka mate, you talk about 'our sound' like it's a sound that is 'ours'. surely it's the 'attitude' about the music that is 'ours', not the sound??? or am i talking shit

Sorry, this is totally my fault in the way I'm describing things. I don't ever wish to claim or suggest that the sound is mine or something of my own personal find. It's a sound I've totally immersed myself in... I've quit Uni to persue it, I spend most days sat on my own trying to create it and I spend all my money on buying it. I love the sound and I do embrace the evolution that comes with it. Perhaps subconciously I think that the sound is sort of "my own" as in its my own choice to love it and go with it. I don't mean I "own" the music as in ownership at all.

I totally appreciate that the sound is not ours as such, and I feel foolish that I've written such a thing... as it does not accurately portray what I ment.

[Hakka.]

I would definitely say that the majority of dance clubs are having a rough time of it at the moment, and us at the harder end of things don't help each other with the constant turmoil between genres. There now is even a big divide between hardstyle & hard trance, which doesn't help bring new comers to our sound, because our scene looks so volatile. Added to the fact of the larger clubs shutting for various reasons (not all unpopularity) and the music just not being as good anymore, it's harder to get new people interested, and that's where the lifeblood of clubs is.

I don't think music is not good as it used to be, I just think good music is harder to find. In the past, we'd have only a handful of hard trancers which were amazing and a lot of crap, so the good stuff shone like a beacon of greatness. Today we have lots of good stuff in a OCEAN of medicore hard trance / hard style releases. Finding stuff that is good/excellent in relation to all the other tracks out there, is very hard. I have so many tracks with the same bass lines or ideas... I have to look deeper in to a track to see what I want and to appreciate what is good music.

[Hakka.]

i've had a few Stella's hehe so please bear with me :)

fair play!... I will always have time for you or anyone else involved with this forum, while drinking stella or otherwise! ;)

[Louk]

drinking stella has its advantages

Louk

[MARKEG]

i love and respect you hakka (so do most of us i reckon) and i'm so glad you explained this.. i know you're in this for the right reasons... i'm also so pleased to see long, long passionate responses to this topic from 3 board members.... i'm not saying i'm right - we all just just need talk about it... come on everyone - let us all know what you think - we need some discussion here!!!!

[Hakka.]

this post is replicated every single year in some shape or form or another in some different way within all music genres. to me, the key is: postivitity AND change. that's what keeps me going and will always keep me going.

I know what you mean in that change is scary. I feel scared, not for the music, but the dance and clubbing side of things. I have so much that I want to do and be a part of, as well as help others be a part of that I would be gutted if everything I worked for was dismissed as being unpopular or no-longer the in thing. This does not mean I will give up though, and perhaps it's up to the individual to do everything he/she can to make things happen. I will try... but I can't help feeling a tad bit scared.

It is reassuring to read the words of someone who has probably been through this sort of thing many many times. You've been spinning music for near to 3/4's of my entire life time... your right in that music always evolves and carries on. I mean who would of thought that it was acid house and rave I was listening too at 9 years old? I had no idea what was round the corner... did I worry and think that I would never be a part of the music scene cause it was already in full effect while I was still in primary school? - Here I am, turning 22 last week. I've seen Hardcore Techno, Acid Techno, Hard House, Uplifting/Proggy Trance, Hard Trance, Hardstyle... by 32... surely I will evolution will see the music progress and not die or slow down to nothing... like my fears suggest.

As long as I love the music, it will never die in my heart... so I will keep mixing, producing and listening until I die.

[Louk]

personally it's a shame that events are declining in numbers/folding etc but i reckon its all to do with the fact that too many nights were trying to do the same thing all at the same time. How many times i've seen the same djs booked to play night after night in the south west - even two bookings on the same night in some instances means that its not worth the distance travelling to see these names as they will be somehwere else soon enough anyway - if that makes sense.

in terms of productions, I am finding artists like Scot Project and Wavetraxx two producers who i would have gladly bought tonnes of material by, sounding the same now and running out of ideas. It's the same with other producers and i call it "flutlicht syndrome" as they were the worst ones for it where using the same samples/soundsets in each tune - despite the tunes sounding good got to the stage where they were nothing special anymore. The hardstyle producers are even worse at doing this in my opinionw hich is why hard trance is my preferred style of the two. This meant stale sounding music (Even though im a hardstylke fan as well). Producers like Digital Pressure, Jon Doe, Marco V, Andreas Kraemer and Marcos have however done blinding work this year and should be commended.

The point is there are too many nights at the same time playing the same music with the same DJ sometimess (within reason) and thats why the numbers are down. Music at the moment is amazing as some fresh ideas are coming and tracks still have that "f*ck yes I want 200 of these beauties" factor about htem :)

Louk

[Louk]

p.s that is just my opinion as a clubber and not a club dj

[Paul Nisbet]

Hardcore topic indeedy....

gonna ave a little think to myself, then get back.

Although i will say this before i go... imo. I find most of the djs who think the music is not to the same standard as it once was, are more specialised in wat they play... ie oly hard trance or hardstyle!!!

Not a dig at anyone or anything... but i really see cross genre djin is the way forward. Doesnt matter wat scene you are in, you will not imo find 12 months worth of music, that is gonna 100 percent gonna satisfy you.

And if you dont blend all the borders of the different styles of music around you, i think there is a possibilty you might have pigeon holed urself into play sub standard music of your chosen genre?!

[K Front]

What an interesting topic..

I dont understand the scene at the moment, about a year an half ago places like dance academy were booming. Really good nights to go to and i would stay all night. But slowly i havnt been going as much because it doesnt have the same atmosphere as it did. Im not saying its crap now, its still a really good night.. Maybe its just me. :neutral:
But also i think the devide in genres hasnt helped, because people prefer differents styles, and the djs are also changing.
Another thing i dont understand is nights like premonition, they always put on a really good night and the people just dont turn up. I know theres a lot of ravers out there! What are you all doing!?

[Hakka.]

What an interesting topic..

I dont understand the scene at the moment, about a year an half ago places like dance academy were booming. Really good nights to go to and i would stay all night. But slowly i havnt been going as much because it doesnt have the same atmosphere as it did. Im not saying its crap now, its still a really good night.. Maybe its just me. :neutral:
But also i think the devide in genres hasnt helped, because people prefer differents styles, and the djs are also changing.
Another thing i dont understand is nights like premonition, they always put on a really good night and the people just dont turn up. I know theres a lot of ravers out there! What are you all doing!?

I think you've a part of thinking trail I had before posting this originally. I didn't forsee change to show decline in a booming clubbing world... but I must accept that change happens and I have to change with it...

[K Front]

personally it's a shame that events are declining in numbers/folding etc but i reckon its all to do with the fact that too many nights were trying to do the same thing all at the same time. How many times i've seen the same djs booked to play night after night in the south west - even two bookings on the same night in some instances means that its not worth the distance travelling to see these names as they will be somehwere else soon enough anyway - if that makes sense.

That makes perfect sense mate.. It reminds me of a while back when me an my mates used to look forward to going out to regular nights a few weeks before.. But that might have changed because we go out every weekend now. :neutral:

[K Front]

What an interesting topic..

I dont understand the scene at the moment, about a year an half ago places like dance academy were booming. Really good nights to go to and i would stay all night. But slowly i havnt been going as much because it doesnt have the same atmosphere as it did. Im not saying its crap now, its still a really good night.. Maybe its just me. :neutral:
But also i think the devide in genres hasnt helped, because people prefer differents styles, and the djs are also changing.
Another thing i dont understand is nights like premonition, they always put on a really good night and the people just dont turn up. I know theres a lot of ravers out there! What are you all doing!?

I think you've a part of thinking trail I had before posting this originally. I didn't forsee change to show decline in a booming clubbing world... but I must accept that change happens and I have to change with it...

Yep, but the good thing about change is its fresh, exciting and unpredictable, so im looking forward to it..

[Voorheez]

Hakka, I feel the complete opposite - I think tracks from a while back were under-appreciated because they was so much good stuff around at the time they were released. Good tracks now are far more appreciated because there are so few around. Thus a track that I would have thought poor a year ago becomes decent enough now, because it's kinda like a drought of good tracks at the moment.
And Paul, I know what you mean, but it certainly doesn't apply to me with what i'm saying here - I like all forms of dance, I used to listen to funky house quite a bit, and I used to love trance and I feel exactly the same about these genres of dance, it's not just hard trance/hardstyle.

This is just my opinion, and hopefully everyone on this board now knows me enough to know that this isn't the kind of thing I would come out with filppantly.

[Hakka.]

in terms of productions, I am finding artists like Scot Project and Wavetraxx two producers who i would have gladly bought tonnes of material by, sounding the same now and running out of ideas. It's the same with other producers and i call it "flutlicht syndrome" as they were the worst ones for it where using the same samples/soundsets in each tune - despite the tunes sounding good got to the stage where they were nothing special anymore. The hardstyle producers are even worse at doing this in my opinionw hich is why hard trance is my preferred style of the two. This meant stale sounding music (Even though im a hardstylke fan as well). Producers like Digital Pressure, Jon Doe, Marco V, Andreas Kraemer and Marcos have however done blinding work this year and should be commended.

Louk

Good post Louk. One thing I've always had since I was little was ideas. they may be implausible or whackey, but I've never been able to not think my way out of a situation. Bizarrely drugs have hinderd my brain... I can feel myself not as sharp as I used to be, but in the same light it has given me another perspective to think and feel from.

Music is a huge challenge producing wise for me. I have ideas I so far, but cannot deliver them how I want them to be heard. I will one day (I hope!)... they may be popular or may be not, but I'm still going to pursue them. It seems to happen to all producers at some point, they struggle to make something that they have not done before, even with long gaps between releases. Now I really hope I get to that point some day. The day which I can't think my way out of something. Total Deadlock. I would love that so much... the problem is yourself... your own personal constrictions and boundries of ideas. Seems like the biggest personal challenge one could encounter. Freeing your mind from its own limits.

Perhaps I'm over-elaborating things... but hey its that perspective which motivates me to try things and to do things with music.

[Hakka.]

Hakka, I feel the complete opposite - I think tracks from a while back were under-appreciated because they was so much good stuff around at the time they were released. Good tracks now are far more appreciated because there are so few around. Thus a track that I would have thought poor a year ago becomes decent enough now, because it's kinda like a drought of good tracks at the moment.
And Paul, I know what you mean, but it certainly doesn't apply to me with what i'm saying here - I like all forms of dance, I used to listen to funky house quite a bit, and I used to love trance and I feel exactly the same about these genres of dance, it's not just hard trance/hardstyle.

This is just my opinion, and hopefully everyone on this board now knows me enough to know that this isn't the kind of thing I would come out with filppantly.

Fair play mate... however I fear we both have the same opinion but don't release it - I think where you feel not as many good tracks are out at the moment I feel there is, but perhaps value them differently when looking over time. I'm juding todays tracks by todays standards. Admittedly, there's tracks I could reel off now that are amazing from years ago... however I still think that if they came out now and never existed in the past, they would not be as popular as they were. Apart of a track becomming brilliant is its ability to be unique and stand out. Not because its radically different, but because it opens doors and new ideas. Todays music has lots of ideas... but they are not as deep and as original as the great releases from 2 years ago.

[Carl]

the south west clubbing scene needs a kick up the arse ....

[baptismo]

This is a well cool post, seems to be two topics on the go, one about the state of clubbing, and one about the state of the music...

I think clubbing as a whole is reducing slightly (or evolving :) ), its not the new thing at the moment... once upon a time everyone wanted to go out clubbing, but at the present day its not the case... either way, there will still be clubs which rock, clubs which dont, and there will be highs and lows. I dont think the club scene will ever disappear...

I personally think the music is as good as ever, you do have to wade through the uneeded releases, but some of the productions around and the quality of them simply blow my mind. Im also loving the way dj's are begining to fuse sounds in their sets... i find it difficult to listen to a whole two hours of the same genre, but listening to some dj's twist from techno-y sounds to euphoric melodies really does tickle my fancy.
Ive really noticed a few fresh idea's and techniques these last few months... I think people should try and keep with this, theres always room for the old tryed and tested techniques but try and implement new fresh ones to your music aswell... This is what i strive for, dont think ive got there yet! but hopefully one day :)

[edk]

surley the sound is returning to roots, when i first got into underground music the only way i could hear the music i wanted was via a free party, played by sum faceless dj this is what made me fall in love with this sound, its rawness !! then i discovered the country club the first time i went there there was approx 60 people there, dressed down as much as possible ah the free party spirit in a club, there was no other place like it in the area. djs you never heard off rocking you socks off, more and more people started going more people dressed up and the scene round here grew. new club nights started, new promoters started and the scene hit a peak. fast forward to today shit loads of nights playing the same old stuff with the same djs. numbers have dwindled at nights. its my option the same amount of people are going out just at various nights spreading the events. i think people just want more. this covers all forms of dance music.
as louk said every night in the south west has ben eye, quality dj that he is i would like to here something different. if not it has some motionless italian/german swiss dj, whos cost the promoter a packet. id rather hear some bloke ive never heard of rocking me socks off going mad behind the decks. its abount the music not the dj.-
i saw mark recently at slinkys the place was rammed , a varitey of music was on offer all night with a good vibe i got to hear djs ive neared heard before i was having that same feeling again.
As mark said times are changing again as it did when trance/techno moved from the field to the club.
the music is a good as ever and i see a bright future.
as for the inter gene row hardstyle/trance thing this happened with drum and bass and jungle drum and bass is still hear although it nearley killed it.
its like praying to god you dont have to go to church to do it.

[french_og]

Does anyone else think maybe why these Hard Trance nights are in decline is because the music is being played by the more commercial dJs all over the place. I mean i went to Slinky in bristol a month or so ago (when Mark EG and Anne Savage wa playing) Anne Savage's set was more or less the same as a Dj Crow's set I heard him play at North a few months ago.
I would much prefere to go to an underground party anyday but for new people coming into the scene who like the music if they see Hard Trance nights being advertised on Radio1 and in Mixmag magazine they are going to go there as they know no different.

[Paul Nisbet]

I for one personally.... have never been happier.

Ive got tunes arriving on me door mat that still have me gushing with excitment.

Instead of questioning whats wrong and right with the scene, we should concentrate on building it and supporting it.

I just play on my decks, try to be good... and make a difference.

Imo there are so many djs out there, who are just plain shit. Mostly big names...

[majortom]

i think this topics on every ones mind at the moment, but i do see a big change in the muisc scene about to happen,i as a promoter am finding more techno for one being slipped in to the night, all though the nights do consist of mainly the hard trance there is a fair amount of techno and hardsyle being fused in there but these styles at the moment are only been added by a few residents. The main floor rockin matreial is still the hardtrance. If i look back over the last 3 years hard house had a massive period but all of a sudden it just died and hard trance went ballistic people started to find a new sound and formuler which opened new doors and interests for clubbers.... I think the scene is at a point now where its turning again but its turning slowly new things will come through and are, they just dont seem to be getting noticed by everyone staight away....

[Hakka.]

I for one personally.... have never been happier.

Ive got tunes arriving on me door mat that still have me gushing with excitment.

Instead of questioning whats wrong and right with the scene, we should concentrate on building it and supporting it.

I just play on my decks, try to be good... and make a difference.

Imo there are so many djs out there, who are just plain shit. Mostly big names...

I know what you mean, but I'm one of those people who likes to think a lot and the future is important so I like to try and understand how things will go...

[Hakka.]

surley the sound is returning to roots, when i first got into underground music the only way i could hear the music i wanted was via a free party, played by sum faceless dj this is what made me fall in love with this sound, its rawness !! then i discovered the country club the first time i went there there was approx 60 people there, dressed down as much as possible ah the free party spirit in a club, there was no other place like it in the area. djs you never heard off rocking you socks off, more and more people started going more people dressed up and the scene round here grew. new club nights started, new promoters started and the scene hit a peak. fast forward to today shit loads of nights playing the same old stuff with the same djs. numbers have dwindled at nights. its my option the same amount of people are going out just at various nights spreading the events. i think people just want more. this covers all forms of dance music.
as louk said every night in the south west has ben eye, quality dj that he is i would like to here something different. if not it has some motionless italian/german swiss dj, whos cost the promoter a packet. id rather hear some bloke ive never heard of rocking me socks off going mad behind the decks. its abount the music not the dj.-
i saw mark recently at slinkys the place was rammed , a varitey of music was on offer all night with a good vibe i got to hear djs ive neared heard before i was having that same feeling again.
As mark said times are changing again as it did when trance/techno moved from the field to the club.
the music is a good as ever and i see a bright future.
as for the inter gene row hardstyle/trance thing this happened with drum and bass and jungle drum and bass is still hear although it nearley killed it.
its like praying to god you dont have to go to church to do it.

you make some good points mate. I like the point you made regarding seeing a DJ you don't know and having a ****ing good night than seeing some strange eurpean producer who is taking home huge pay packet.

[Hakka.]

This thread has really made me feel more comfortable in accepting the future.

[Carl]

i dont really need to go into detail, not where the south west in concerned, in my eye more places seem to be closing than opening, which
means the scene is only goin one way down here
at themoment?!!!. the southwest club scene needs a kick up the arse - wheres all the all nighters these days?. the closure of the C.C. left a massive dent in the hardtrance scene i believe. is there anywhere that compares? even slightly? :doh:

[Hakka.]

i dont really need to go into detail, not where the south west in concerned, in my eye more places seem to be closing than opening, which
means the scene is only goin one way down here
at themoment?!!!. the southwest club scene needs a kick up the arse - wheres all the all nighters these days?. the closure of the C.C. left a massive dent in the hardtrance scene i believe. is there anywhere that compares? even slightly? :doh:

perhaps its up to us. Everyone on the board two open a massive 12 hour techno and trance free party. 12 dj's off the techno board and 12 of us from the trance board.

Shall we plan it for next summer? and really go for it?

We could do it in Plymouth, using Crownhill Fort... like they are doing for NYE down here for D'n'B and Funky. It holds something like 3000 to 4000 people.

[Carl]

im in on that one Mark. definitely. talk is chaep eh? lets do it ... a free party with unrivalled atmosphere :lol: ;)

[Hakka.]

im in on that one Mark. definitely. talk is chaep eh? lets do it ... a free party with unrivalled atmosphere :lol: ;)

ok bud... I shall MSN with you soon and WE HAVE TO organise this, somehow.

[Carl]

well up for it mate :lol: :twisted:

[Louk]

We could do it in Plymouth, using Crownhill Fort... like they are doing for NYE down here for D'n'B and Funky. It holds something like 3000 to 4000 people.

NO ****ING WAY PLEASE EMAIL ME MORE MATE!!!! Louk2003@hotmail.com

I am well up for a d'n'b stomp out on NYE !!!!

Louk

[Carl]

:eh:

[edk]

i think it appears the attention is being taken away from the dj and being given back to the music. the dj has become the focal point within the scence and people have begun to see this, its no amazing thing to be able to beatmatch and play a few records in a club, a lot "NOT ALL" of djs have got lazy and play the same set week in week out " see european producer on last post".
Its seems most agree the music avalible is better than ever, and i agree, so how can the scene be dying, i get rid of between 50 and 70 cds every 2 months, i am finding more people listening then ever before, just not wanting to pay stupid amounts of money to do it for a bit of the same old same old.
i go clubbing to listen to the music, not the dj

[Carl]

i go to :dance:


hahahahhaha

[Barely Human]

This thread is exactly the reason we have started up Faction. The scene needs a big kick up the arse to help it to evolve into something new and exiting. If i can put on a completely different night, and change just one persons perspective on the scene with Faction, then i will be a lot more happy then filling a big club, making money, and letting them all go home thinking"that was ok". :shock:

[edk]

THINK WE NEED MORE PROMOTERS LIKE IQ AND MAJOR TOM :clap:

[Si the Sigh]

Major Tom is a top quality promoter. Not affraid to try something a bit different & a sound as fu*k bloke as well! :clap:

[ADDI]

The problem i find is that more young ppl are tending to listen to more hip hop & commercial/funky dance in our area and it has all but killed the hard dance scene (in my area of scotland).

I run events totally different from other promoters in the area ie they go for the cash in commercial acts & dj's and i tend to book underground dj's and give loads of oppertunities to up & coming dj's as they are the future of the dance scene.
In fact in the past 4 yrs i have been promoting i have seen at least 5 other promotions evolve & disolve which is sad to see :cry: but at least i can say i have survived and my events have evolved and now there is fresh ppl attending my events and lots of artists/dj's coming through the ranks!!!

i think the future for hard trance music & clubs can only get brighter and will do so........

[majortom]

Talking of scene decline This friday will be the last Trilogy event at the showbar :evil: , it basically balls down to the management wanting to move the friday nights to a more commercial dance night, even though we are there busiest friday night our style of music and clubbers dont suite the venue... not enough lads and slags putting loads of money behind the bar getting pissed right up stumbling around to Britany spears :nono: ...

This year however has been a belter for Trilogy and i would say we have definatly set a good foundation in Bournemouth, other Trilogy events are planned and other venues are on the cards. I would like to say a big thankyou to everyone who supported us at the showbar this year you definatly made it happen for us cheers tomo :clap: :lol:

[Hakka.]

Major Tom is a top quality promoter. Not affraid to try something a bit different & a sound as fu*k bloke as well! :clap:

Fair play... I must admit, I've never met him but I've heard a few different things about him. Best I should put that down to rumour I guess. Especially so as you think about the guy Si. I think you'd be a good judge of character.

[Hakka.]

Talking of scene decline This friday will be the last Trilogy event at the showbar :evil: , it basically balls down to the management wanting to move the friday nights to a more commercial dance night, even though we are there busiest friday night our style of music and clubbers dont suite the venue... not enough lads and slags putting loads of money behind the bar getting pissed right up stumbling around to Britany spears :nono: ...

This year however has been a belter for Trilogy and i would say we have definatly set a good foundation in Bournemouth, other Trilogy events are planned and other venues are on the cards. I would like to say a big thankyou to everyone who supported us at the showbar this year you definatly made it happen for us cheers tomo :clap: :lol:

That's harsh stuff man. I've heard similar before at clubs wanting to close early because the management said "were not making enough behind the bar" It makes you more mad, especially when you've shelled out the pounds for use of the venue.

Also I've pm'd you about my above comments, just wanted to clear that up cause I wouldn't want you to misunderstand what I was trying to say.

[majortom]

oh shit you havnt heard the rumour about me starting an rnb and garage night have you :oops:

[Si the Sigh]

ha ha! busted Tommo! ;) :lol:

[Hakka.]

hahaahhaa...

nah I heard that you were now exlusively booking DJ Sammy as your only resident forever...

how could you!

lol...

[majortom]

i like taking risks :lol:

[Hakka.]

Do you also enjoy the board game, Risk?

:lol:

[majortom]

its gotta be drafts for me mate :lol:

[Si the Sigh]

...thought Connect 4 was more your thing Tommo! ;) :lol:

[DJ Corbzy]

there goes a serious topic... :lol: :clap:

[Paul Nisbet]

Think hard trance has been that quiet recently that surely there must be some kind of revolution bubbling under???

That new js10 tune changes (jay walker mix) is what im talking about, proper old styleee imo!

Think next year is gonna kick some arse!

[Hakka.]

One thing that pleased me is the amount of people who responded to this thread.

Over 500 views too.

[edk]

I think thats because it is a top topic, and everyone is concerned by the number of people going to events " again not a massive turn out for trilogy" even though it was the last one at the showbar.
good news about the "monstary" thing, an all nighter is what the south west needed.
nobody knows what the future holds but surley thats what makes it exciting.

[Louk]

"good news about the "monstary" thing, an all nighter is what the south west needed. "

hey edk have you ever been dance academy before they open from 11 till 8 every week and sometimes do 9 till 9 nites.

Louk

[edk]

once mate a good 6months back, thought it was wicked trouble is the trip back from plymuff is a little hetic !! torquay is less than an hour which makes life a little easier. " south west is a massive area "

[Louk]

shame that pilgrimage the new monastery is happening in Plymouth then isnt it!!! ;)

Louk

[edk]

bugger thought it was torquay :oops: just the same promoters then !!. well gutted :evil:

[mrbenn]

I agree cross genre DJ'ing is the way forward. In the early days of dance music was'nt put as clasified as it is today. It was just dance music. People came had a good time and listned to a variety of tunes. I personally find it boring going to a club and listening to 3 dj's all spin the same type of tunes. I like to listen to a range of music, it makes the night more intersting.

For example you feel different listening to funky techno to how you feel when your listening to bangin hardstyle. Also I feel people should now be afraid to try new sounds as its all revolution. I dunno how everyone feels but sometimes when I go out I dont get as excited as I used to, maybe clubland needs some exctiment!! firebreathers, juggling clowns more scantaly clad sexy ladies!!

Seriously though Il say im only 17, & so I cant really talk about back in the day cos i wasnt there, but its the idea ive got from what ive heard. I would like to think of myself as hopefully being a pioneer in change in the scene over the next few years (hopefully :lol:) . The things I say may seem wrong to some of you who have been in the scene for years. I am just starting my clubing life & am looking at it as a newcomer and seing what I feel is wrong. I dont know how much clubland thinks about the new generation of clubbers but sometimes it could do with paying more attention to try and keep us interested. After all we are the future.

[mrbenn]

oops i kinda missed the boat on this one, read the first page and wrote the above, didnt realise there was another 4 pages. The first line "I tottaly agree about cross genre dj'ing" realtes to something paul nessbit said on the first page.

Big dj's may sometimes get the crowds (although this isnt allways a guarantee) but sometimes underperform, by this I mean when you get a big name producer playing the top slot even though hes shite at mixing and plays a shite set he get the main time slot cos hes famous. Unknown dj's or those that are unknown cos there just breaking through are often the best. However alot these djs often dont get the chance to play the main set and are stuck playing warm upsets for ages. I know good up and coming dj's who have quit because of bad payment and because of promoters not giving them the opportunity they deserve. I know its hard to fill up a club with unknown names. But if a promoter for example found some top unknown talent and put on night. after a few nights or events it should get a loyal following and give the new djs a chance of stardom!. its been a problem for ages and probbably allways will be, but something need to be done!! any ideas, im a talking complete cod shit?! The beer is starting to kick in!

[willabsorb]

wow hakka!!! havent you unearthed a can of wrms mate!!! :lol: good thing too though, if it is not spoken of how are we supposed to know what others think! my views on it are that to many clubbers they believe the scene is not as good as it was because they scene a faze of it come and go...dont mean to sound girlie but its like a first kiss is always better than it is a year later...
everyone has been on about the decline of dance music simce i can remember! but we are all still here, going out, bying tunes, making tunes and getting on stage infront of people and doing are thing. it is becoming increasingly harder to make money out of dj'in, producing or promoter but that surely is a good sign...its because everyone is doing it! there are more dj's etc... now thaqn there ever has been, from that we have to remember thaqt the cream will rise in the end. instead of worrying about it i really believe we need to work as hard as possible to make it abit diferent, a new twists!
the whole subject of promoters going out of business and stuff to me is simple. if you cant afford a venue...dont use one! if you cant book the big dj's...then dont. there are so many wicked acts who will play for a laugh in the woods or warehouse. i really dont believe that dj's pull in crowds alone or the same with kick arse venues...the vibe of the party does that, wherever it is and with whoever is playing!!! a few summers ago a friend of mine (matt handy) put on a party in some woods miles from anywhere with a few mates playing, 1000 people came...a few weeks later in some sand dunes...about the same number turned up! networking with genuine people from all ends of the industry is what makes it all happen in my opinion. be honest and dont treat people like cunts is always a good philosophy for me.
as fare as the actual music being made today, i have to agree it s hard to find real quality to appeal to our own unique taste, but it is out there. ive just had to become alot more selective as to what i buy and play as apposed to walking into a record shop with £'s and spending them anyway because thats why i went there.
i hope that made some kind of sense anyway...just my opinion!