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Features
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| Introducing NEM3SI$’s new label Infinite Resistance! | | Mindbenderz talk ‘Lord of the Rings’ and fishing, as well as the creation of their new album ‘Celestial Gateway’! | | Iono-Music artists One Function, Eliyahu, Invisible Reality and Dual Vision talk Robert Miles, kids, dogs and vinyl, while we chat about their current releases! | | Luke&Flex talk influences, the Irish rave scene, why Flex wears a mask and Play Hard, their new EP out now on Onhcet Repbulik Xtreme! | | Lyktum expands on his new album ‘Home’ – talking about his love of storytelling, creating new harmonies and the concept behind his musical works. | | Pan talks getting caught short crossing the Sahara, acid eyeballs and tells us Trance is the Answer, plus shares his thoughts on his latest release 'Beyond the Horizon' - all from a beach in Spain! | | Miss C chats about living with the KLF, DJing in a huge cat’s mouth, training her brain and the upcoming super-duper Superfreq Grande party at LDN East this Saturday, 16th September! | | NEM3SI$ - I Live for the Night – talks superficiality, psychopaths, and bittersweet success, ahead of a plethora of evocative, emotional, and passionate upcoming melodic techno releases! | | Psy-Sisters Spring Blast Off! We talk to DJ competition winner ROEN along with other super talents on the lineup! | | Blasting towards summer festivals with Bahar Canca ahead of Psy-Sisters Spring Blast! | | Shyisma talks parties, UFO's, and Shotokan Karate ahead of his upcoming album 'Particles' on Iono-Music! | | SOME1 talks family, acid, stage fright and wolves - ahead of his upcoming album release ‘Voyager’ on Iono-Music in February 2023! | | The Transmission Crew tell all and talk about their first London event on 24th February 2023! | | NIXIRO talks body, mind and music production ahead of his release 'Planet Impulse' on Static Movement's label - Sol Music! | | Turning the world into a fairy tale with Ivy Orth ahead of Tribal Village’s 10th Birthday Anniversary Presents: The World Lounge Project | | The Psy-Sisters chat about music, achievements, aspirations and the 10-Year Anniversary Party - 18/12/22! | | A decade of dance music with Daniel Lesden | | Earth Needs a Rebirth! Discussions with Psy-Trance Artist Numayma | | Taking a Journey Through Time with Domino | | New Techno Rising Star DKLUB talks about his debut release White Rock on Onhcet Republik! | | PAN expands on many things including his new album 'Hyperbolic Oxymoron' due for release on the 14th April 2022 on PsyWorld Records! | | Psibindi talks all things music including her new collaborative EP 'Sentient Rays' on Aphid Records, her band Sentience Machine and 10 years of Psy-Sisters! |
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Imagine being No.1
Reported by Tara
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Submitted 18-06-08 20:35
Imagine being voted the world's No.1 DJ in the DJ Magazine Top 100 Poll. Imagine a matter of months later going on to beat your closest rivals to win Beatport's hallowed Best Trance Artist award. Imagine then selling out your own event at a 16,000 strong venue, and launching your new album and its world tour in the process. Imagine that new album going straight to No.1 in the album charts in your country as soon as it’s released. Then imagine coming to showcase it in The Gallery/HeatUK/HarderFaster arena at London's favourite one-day dance festival, Southwestfour...
There’s only one DJ, producer and label owner that I could be talking about here — and of course it’s the one and only Armin van Buuren. Having already been voted top of his game in DJmag’s awards last October, the phenomenal success of his recently launched artist album ‘Imagine’ only further cements his position as the best in the business. In anticipation of him headlining our HarderFaster arena at Southwestfour on Saturday 23 August, we had a chat to him about life at the top and the inspiration behind his new album.
Hi Armin, thanks for taking time out to answer some questions for your fans on HarderFaster.net. Last time I saw you was last October at London’s seOne club, where you were crowned the world’s No.1 DJ in the DJ Magazine Top 100 Poll — a well deserved honour! How has reaching the top spot changed your life, if at all?
I’ve been very lucky because I’ve already been playing for the best clubs and festivals for years. A few more doors have opened but I’m still basically working with the same people that believed in me from day one. If anything changed it’s probably the pressure of not being ‘an underdog’ anymore. Voted no. 1 DJ in the world but for the first time in my career for example I’m not playing one of the main festivals in my own home country this year. Ironic? You would think that things would be easier when you’re number one but it’s the opposite in many ways.
I noticed your parents were at the awards ceremony looking very proud. Have they always been this supportive of your music? Or did they have to ask you turn it down a lot when you were a kid?
I can honestly say that I would have never been successful without them. They have been very supportive from the beginning. Or maybe I should say: they didn’t stop me or discourage me. I made a deal with my dad that as long as I finished school and university, they would support me. Fortunately, I’m an easy student so when I studied every day from 9–2, I would have the rest of the day to focus on music. I don’t think they’re the biggest fans of electronic music — I do remember my dad rushing up the stairs and yelling at me to turn it down a few times — but they do understand and appreciate what I do I think.
You were born on Christmas Day in 1976. Does it suck having two of the most special days of the year on the same day, or does it just make it twice as much fun?
Twice as fun! All my family and friends usually come around and spend Christmas together. Plus, I got my first synthesiser as a Christmas and birthday present!
Your motto has always been, ‘Don’t be a prisoner of your own style’. But surely it’s important for DJs to try and perfect their own sound and style?!
Yes of course, but it can be like a breath of fresh air to listen to other styles of music. There are many ideas in other genres that you can use to make your own style more interesting. In my experience you have to be careful that your own style doesn’t become boring or uninteresting for yourself. One of the ways to prevent that is to listen to other music.
How would you describe the AvB style these days? And how has it evolved and progressed since you first started making music?
Yes definitely. I’ve moved from a midi sequencer situation with a lot of outboard gear to a fully internal audio-based production situation. That has changed my sound a lot as well. I still feel I’m making trance, but the sound of trance has changed drastically. I’m listening to a lot of minimal and techno productions to get inspired. Also, I’m a co-writer on a lot of the lyrics of the tracks that I’ve done.
You originally started out studying law, getting your law degree in 2004. This must be handy when dealing with dodgy promoters! But seriously, would you ever consider pursuing a career in law or was it something you did to keep your parents happy?
Initially I did it to keep my parents happy, but to be honest I really grew to love it. I actually use my knowledge of law on a day-to-day basis now, like about tax law, copyright law and corporate law when making decisions for Armada.
Your first big track was ‘Blue Fear’ when you were still just 19. What inspired you to first get into music production, and then to stick with it and make such a masterpiece so young?
I’ve always had a passion for music so strong that I got interested in how it was made at a very young age. Plus, I always had a big interest in computers and technology. I wrote my first number-guessing game in Basic when I was 11. I got my first Atari sequencer when I was only 14 and tried to collect synthesisers and other outboard equipment to make my productions more interesting. But actually it was purely my hobby and for fun.
Since you first started DJing and producing, technology has changed the way we make, play, promote and distribute music. How has this changed the way you do things as a DJ? Do you ever play vinyl these days?
No I don’t play vinyl anymore since a lot of tracks aren’t even released on vinyl anymore! I use CDs and DVDs now for my live sets because it gives me the biggest reliability and flexibility. Digital technology has a huge upside — namely that you can easily get the latest music and edit it for your live sets. The downside of the whole digital age is that the platforms aren’t very stabile. I hear a lot of stories of crashed laptops and frustrated DJs because their CDRs skipped. In a way, vinyl was more stabile and cool.
What have been the implications of these advances in technology for Armin the label owner? Do you agree with artists who, for example, choose to give their music away for free on the internet as they feel it encourages fans to come to their shows?
I hugely respect the rights of the owner of a work. If somebody created something and he wants to share it for free, that’s his choice. But it usually isn’t the best way to promote your music. If you want your music to reach a large audience you need radio support and promotion to key DJs who want to play your tracks.
I mean, Myspace and Facebook are great tools but they are limited to the people that go on there. A record company is still essential in the promotion and marketing of your music. You can also use the time you spend updating your Myspace and giving away your tracks for free to create new tracks and focus on your work as an artist and getting a little money for it! In my experience, you need the right people around you in order to get known as an artist. A label can do just that. They are made for that!
What software and hardware do you prefer to use in the studio now? Do you have a favourite piece of kit?
Software: Logic Pro, Ableton Live
Hardware: Moog Voyager, Nordlead, Avalon compressor
After we first met at Global Gathering 2006 I personally crowned you one of the nicest men in dance music and after seeing you play at the Planet Love Festival in Ireland last September my friend and I decided you are indeed the smiliest. Fame no doubt brings with it extra pressure and stress, and the music industry can be a harsh mistress: do you ever feel a bit jaded at all by it, or do you start each day keen to get up and into the studio or onto the stage?
No of course not. Even the best job in the world has Monday mornings. But I’ve learned not to sit around in the studio too long if nothing comes out of my hands. I go for a run or visit a friend or do something else. But I love what I do so the enthusiasm always comes back, usually later that day.
Last November you played to 11,000 at your own Armin Only event at the Ahoy and you’ve described it as ‘a highlight of your career’. Can we expect more Armin Only events in the near future? You’ve also taken it on tour in the States, would you consider bringing it to the UK — please!
Yes we’ve actually just premiered a brand new show called Armin Only: Imagine and did the kick off in the Jaarbeurs in Utrecht on the 19th of April. We sold it out (16,000 people) and it was a rocking night! There’s a DVD of the event coming at the end of the year. I’ve just done two Armin Onlys in Australia (one in Sydney and one in Melbourne) and we’ve got Romania at the end of the month. Then after the summer we’ll probably do four or five more.
You’ve played at some of the biggest venues and festivals over the world. What’s been your favourite event to play at?
Godskitchen Global Gathering and Zoukout. The crowds are simply the best.
And your favourite country to travel in?
Canada and Australia.
Your radio show ‘A State of Trance’ has been going for over seven years now and completed its 350th episode this May — that’s quite a record! However it generally features music from a range of styles, rather than just trance. Why is this? Do you think too much trance isn’t radio-friendly enough?
In my definition the show is 100% trance but I guess we have a different definition of the genre. I think if I would play two hours of riffs and breakdowns it would get a bit boring. I try to vary it a little but everything for me is still trance. That’s how the show has always been. The main sound however will always be trance!
Last summer was your most successful season in Ibiza yet, with your Armin’s Armada parties being rammed regularly. What plans do you have in the White Isle this summer?
It’s our fifth year anniversary and we’ve got the biggest line up yet! We’ve got dates from Markus Schulz, Remy, ATB, Marco V., John O Callaghan, Contact has joined the second room with residents Mark Knight, Sharam, Erick E. etc
Your new album ‘Imagine’ entered the charts as soon as it was released. What was the main concept behind the album? Did you deliberately go for a more commercial sound this time round?
No, I just feel an artist album is something different than a mixed compilation. I heard a lot of albums of colleagues of mine and I was always a bit let down because it was basically just a collection of their released 12". An album, in my definition, has several different chapters, like stories in a book. It’s something that you can put on at home when you’re relaxing and something with songs.
The album consists of some fine collaborations with some of the most talented vocalists of our times, including Audrey Gallagher, Sharon den Adel, Jacqueline Govaert, Cathy Burton, Vera Ostrova and Jennifer Rene. Why so many different singers? Would it not be better artistically to build up a closer connection with one or just a couple, or do you find it stimulates you better musically to work with as many different vocalists as possible?
No it’s just the way it came about. I wrote about 20 tracks, sometimes even two or three tracks with one artist but then we came to the point of selecting the tracks for the album and I just found these tracks had a certain flow together. In the end, all that matters for me is the music and the song, not who it’s sung by.
You’ve always had your own studio and historically used to work alone. Was it hard getting used to collaborating with so many new musicians? How did you decide who to work with?
No it’s a matter of not being a prisoner of my own style! Every musician has a different view on things and it’s great to learn from and collaborate. Every track came about in a totally different way. Sometimes someone sent me a melody, sometimes I hired a studio and I sat down with the artist etc. I do have to have a personal ‘click’ with an artist though. It’s no fun working with someone you don’t really like.
Looking at the sleeve notes of ‘Imagine’, I can see you’ve also collaborated with a few different writers to put together the lyrics. How does this work in reality? Is it weird for you writing in English or do you write the ideas in Dutch first and translate?
I sometimes just sing myself, completely rubbish over an instrumental. That’s how you can get ideas for melodies of a lyric. There’s never a standard way of creating new tracks. Every track came about in a different way. I like that, it prevents your music from becoming formulaic. My English is pretty good so I have no problem writing lyrics.
Tracks like ‘Hold On To Me’ have a decidedly electro feel. Do you think this is going to be another big summer of electro, or do you think electro has almost has its day? If so, what’s going to be next?
Nah I just feel music is evolving. No styles have completely disappeared. Electro will always be there but it will just sound different; same with trance. We have to move forward like this to keep thing interesting. Right now you see the BPM of a lot of trance tracks is a lot slower due to the influence of minimal and electro. This sound will stay big for a while.
‘Fine Without You’ starts off with a great guitar rift. Would you ever consider performing with a full live band?
Not really. Maybe for an occasion. I will always be a DJ that plays other people’s records and a few of my own. :-)
The last track on ‘Imagine’ is the tougher ‘Intricacy’, which you collaborated on with Sean Tyas, one of the greatest trance producers around at the moment. Who else would you consider the top DJs and producers around at the moment? And who would you like to see break through in 2008?
Nitrous Oxide, Daniel Kandi, Blake Jarrell, Alex M.O.R.P.H., DJ Shah, Nic Chagall, Aly & Fila. I would love to see Blake Jarrell getting a break. He’s such an amazing DJ and deserves a breakthrough.
This August you’re playing in the HeatUK/HarderFaster arena at the awesome Southwestfour festival. Can we expect to hear all the tracks from new album? What surprises do you have up your sleeve for your many fans?
I never plan my sets. I do have some ideas but in the end the crowd decides where I go with my set. That’s what’s so cool about DJing: it’s all about interaction with the crowd. Of course, I would love to play the new remix of ‘Going Wrong’ but if the crowd doesn’t seem up for it I’ll play something else. No matter what, it’s going to be a great event! You can take my word for it!!
Finally, as the world’s top DJ with your own events, classic productions that have helped define the genre of trance, a radio show, best selling albums and now a fine new artist album that will no doubt also reach a whole new audience… where to from here?
There’re still a lot of ideas. First of all, we’ll tour with this Armin Only show till summer of 2009. Then I’m already working on a new artist album...
Thank you very much for you time Armin and look forward to catching up at SW4!
Thank you!!
For info about Armin check out: www.arminvanbuuren.com
Photos courtesy of Daf and Sarah_G from the HarderFaster Archive and getinpr. Not to be reproduced without permission.
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SW4-South West Four 2008
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On:
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Saturday 23rd August 2008
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At:
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Clapham Common [map]
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From:
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12pm to 8pm
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Cost:
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£40 Cash Sales From Never Enough
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Website:
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www.southwestfour.com
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Ticket Info:
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CASH SALES TICKETS IN CENTRAL LONDON
LondonHelp4u
72 Wells Street W1T 3QF
Oxford Circus Tube Behind Shopping Plaza
From Monday to Friday 10am to 7pm.
Or Call Danubia on 07903394420
for special delivery to a group of people!
EMAIL maria@toomuchbutneverenough.com for more info.
www.londonhelp4u.co.uk
www.toomuchbutneverenough.com
www.southwestfour.com
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Buy Online:
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Click here to buy tickets
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More:
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**SOUTH WEST FOUR IS GO GO GO!!!**
London’s BIGGEST and BEST outdoor dance event returns to Clapham Common on Bank holiday Saturday 23rd August to Clapham Common for its fifth year as one of the UK’s leading dance festivals. Held in association with London listings bible Time Out and unrivalled by any other London-based outdoor festival the South West Four has become firmly established on the UK summer festival circuit and is your one-way ticket to superstar DJ heaven, so without further ado ladies and gentlemen put your hands together and prepare yourself for our biggest and best line up to date:
**CARL COX IS BACK**
Topping the bill in 2008 on the main outdoor South West Four Kiss Main Stage sees a welcome return to the people’s champion Carl Cox who returns to host a massive Carl Cox & Friends line up! Carl is a DJ who come rain or shine has proved himself to be the best crowd rocking DJ around (as his recent 2 sell-out Heaven clubs events showed!) His unique blend of techno, house and electronic beats has seen him win the hearts and minds of clubbers the world over. A professional DJ since his early teens, a veteran of acid house a champion of techno (and an award winning disco dancer!) When Carl takes to the decks crowds are swept up in his energy, technical ability and unwavering enthusiasm for the music he plays. Week in, week out for nearly twenty years Carl has been placed firmly at the forefront of dance music and club culture. Joining Carl will be another SW4 veteran and Subliminal Records head honcho Erick Morillo, a man who had the pleasure of headlining our very first event when we were just a wee 10,000 capacity festival! Also making a welcome return to the event and the main stage is Bedrock main man John Digweed. After doing a sterling job hosting his own arena in 2007, we thought it was only right to put him front and centre. Our first ‘fresh blood’ for 2008 sees Dutch chart topping sensation Fedde Le Grand unleashed on the main stage, prepare to ‘put your hands up’ for one of the hottest new DJ / producers in the world! Also making their SW4 debut will be Olmeto Records bosses and the duo responsible for the anthem Love Story Layo & Bushwacka alongside one of 2008’s brightest stars Paulo Mojo and a man that really needs no introduction and a DJ loved the world over... step forward SW4’s very special guest Danny Tenaglia!
**THE DUTCH INVADE THE SECOND STAGE**
London club land institutions The Gallery and Heat UK join forces with London’s weekly listings bible Time Out and Harderfaster.net to bring you the No.1 DJ in the world Armin Van Buuren on our second stage alongside the hottest DJ of 2008 Sander Van Doorn. Composing music since he was 14 Dutch born DJ and producer Armin Van Buuren is perhaps best known for his anthems like Blue Fear, Touch Me and Communication, Armin’s weekly radio show ‘A State Of Trance’ has been broadcasting the very best in Trance across the globe since 2001. Finally receiving the recognition he deserves following four years at second and third place respectively 2007 saw Armin named the No.1 DJ In The World in the DJ Magazine Top 100 Poll, the most important DJ Chart in the world! Snapping at his heels and second on the bill is fellow Dutchman and one of the most prolific DJ and Producers of the last 18 months Sander Van Doorn, Sander returns to South West Four following his debut last year when he appeared out of nowhere on the international DJ scene and was hotly tipped by the world’s leading DJs as the next big thing. Following a string of successful releases such as Grasshopper, By Any Demand, Riff and The Bass alongside one of 2008’s biggest remixes The Girl You Lost by SIA, we’re proud to welcome back this man! Joining these two Dutch destroyers we welcome Trance legend Markus Schulz and Andy Moor who will be keeping this tent fully powered up with their deep, melodic trance sound as well as Gallery super resident and Faithless mastermind Sister Bliss alongside our second Gallery resident Gavyn Mytchel completing this mighty fine stage!!
**SVEN HEADS UP GLOBAL STAGE**
Adding a brand new facet to the ever-changing face of South West Four is this summers Global Stage held in association with DJ Magazine and Residentadvisor.net this arena sees us bring one of the most influential DJs in the history of club culture as well as being regarded by many as the man responsible for making Techno cool again Sven Vath. This infamous resident of Franfurt’s legendary Dorian Gray nightclub has taken over the world with his Cocoon record label, nightclub and club residencies in many countries including Amnesia in Ibiza and The End in London. Joining Sven rolling out the seamless grooves will be Francois K flying in especially from NYC, what this man has achieved in his lifetime really cannot even begun to be listed in this press release, simply a legend. Next up German duo Ali & Basti AKA Tiefschwarz, two men who single handedly switched on a new generation to techno and finally Chicago-based Green Velvet who’s crazy productions such as ‘Flash’ and ‘La La Land’ have kept club land going insane for years. Finalising the Fire Arena are two up-n-coming superstar DJ talents in the form of Jon Rundell and Anil Chawla.
**PUSH HOST FOURTH STAGE**
Keeping it local, Clapham-based house crew PUSH step up to host the fourth and final stage at this summer South West Four in association with leading nightlife website Tilllate.com and new online music bible Datatransmission.co.uk Having cut their teeth with weekly roadblock Sunday afternoon sessions at venues like The White House, PUSH is now responsible for some of the capital’s hottest happenings – most notably at KOKO (David Guetta headlines the next PUSH event there on 21 June). PUSH are welcomed onboard with open arms and in truelre PUSH style they’ve pulled together an absolute blinder of a line up headlining with Nic Fanciulli - who joins us hot off the back of releasing his debut artist album alongside long-time collaborator Andy Chatterly under their Skylark guise ‘I-Panik’ (out now on Saved Records kids!) This international superstar DJ is resident at some of the globes leading house clubs including Space Ibiza, Space Miami and The End. Nic is the latest DJ to join the ‘DJ Super league’ having been talent-spotted by Pete Tong a few years back and his ascension to the upper echelons of the international DJ community has been nothing short of meteoric. Second on the bill will be San Francisco’s champion of all things slightly wonky, Claude Von Stroke. Claude hit the big time following some seriously sick releases such as the massive ‘Who’s Afraid Of Detroit’, ‘Beware Of The Bird’ and ‘The Whistler’ on his own Dirty Bird imprint and his wonky donkey house music has seen him win fans the world over!! Joining Claude will be a return booking for SOS aka Demi, Omid 16B and Desyn Masiello, who last year played the main stage at SW4. SOS or ‘Sex On Substance’ comprises of these three highly talented friends who as individuals are all highly respected within the electronic music field, but when joined together draw on each others rich musical influences to create a sonic musical synergy that’s recently transformed into a live performance utilising cutting edge technologies to remix and edit tracks live in the mix! Finishing up this strictly a-list line up will be Roastgroove performing a special live set alongside Sarah Holder and PUSH resident Aaron Baskerville.
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Flyer:
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 - 
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Region:
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London
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Music:
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Trance. Hard Trance. Tech Trance. Prog House. Electro House. Tech House. Minimal Techno. Techno. Breaks. Electro.
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DJ's:
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SOUTH WEST FOUR KISS
MAIN STAGE:Carl Cox & FRIENDS:
CARL COX
Erick Morillo
John Digweed
FEDDE LE GRAND
LAYO & BUSHWACKA
Paolo Mojo+
VERY special guestDANNY TENAGLIA
THE TIME OUT / GALLERY / HEATUK STAGE:
In association with Time Out and Harderfaster.net
Armin Van Buuren
SANDER VAN DOORN
MARKUS SCHULZ
SISTER BLISS
ANDY MOOR
GAVYN MYTCHELL
THE GLOBAL STAGE:
In association with DJ Magazine and Residentadvisor.net
SVEN VATH
FRANCOIS K
Tiefschwarz G
REEN VELVET
Jon Rundell
Anil Chawla
PUSH STAGE:
In association With Data Transmission.co.uk and Tilllate.com
Nic Fanciulli
CLAUDE VON STROKE
SOS (DEMI / Desyn Masiello
OMID 16B)ROASTGROOVE
Aaron Baskerville
SARAH HOLDER
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Other Features By Tara:
Blasting towards summer festivals with Bahar Canca ahead of Psy-Sisters Spring Blast!
Turning the world into a fairy tale with Ivy Orth ahead of Tribal Village’s 10th Birthday Anniversary Presents: The World Lounge Project
A decade of dance music with Daniel Lesden
Telling Cosmic Tales with DJ Strophoria
Tom Psylicious aka EarthAlien takes 50 Spins Around the Sun: Raising Awareness Through the Power of Music
The views and opinions expressed in this review are strictly those of the author only for which HarderFaster will not be held responsible or liable.
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