I think they are being a little over-dramatic calling it a "daytime
rave", although I certainly do have a fear that PCM would like to present it
this way. Having straight up dance music in NO WAY makes an event a rave,
as anyone who's gone to a dress up invite only loft party in Detroit or
Chicago or Kalamazoo etc should know. Besides we'd get all trance and prog
house if it was a rave, not the Detroit and Chicago techno and house sounds,
which we all know did not come out of raves. (As far as the lack of "IDM",
I could insert a rant about how stupid the term "IDM" is here, and how just
because music is esperimental does not mean it's a successful esperiment!
But plenty of things classified under these labels are really good). On the
other hand, one must consider that perhaps people who are tired from
partying don't WANT to dance all day starting at 12 noon, the idea of having
some music you can sit and chill to and enjoy makes sense during a daytime
festival, I mean are people supposed to take amphetamines or something so
they have they energy to dance for three days and nights in a row?
Ridiculous. And as much as it's nice to showcase that raw techno and house
sound that I certainly love, I see no reason why a festival this big
shouldn't be diverse in musical offerings--something that can expand
people's horizons. Personally, I'm on a limited budget as a DJ; I want to
play out and so I really do have to stick to mostly buying techno and house
dance records--but I'd love a chance to maybe hear some groups that do
something quite different.
What is more to the point, for me, is not the opposition between
Dance/IDM music but rather getting a line up that represents the
international electronic scene, and GIVES PEOPLE A REASON TO FLY IN FROM
TOKYO, or send journalists if we are talking about an international musc
mag. It is this kind of vision that Carl Craig had that PCM does not seem
to share, it's the cosmopolitan idea that this festival can really be
something on the world scene. Not exploiting Detroit but believing that
Detroit can rise and become something really great.
?dave
----Original Message Follows----
From: Fred Heutte <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
To: <[email protected]>
Subject: Re: [313] metro times article - rant
Date: Wed, 22 May 2002 21:28:50 -0700
I'm concerned about this idea that this year's lineup just makes the
DEMF into a "daytime rave." Would it be good to have more experimental/
"IDM" in the lineup? Maybe yes -- or maybe not *this* year. Maybe *this*
year it ought to be more about movement and getting your groove on, and
as a dance-oriented DJ I have *no problem* with defending that point of
view, which is just as valid as the idea that the more experimental and
innovative side needs the spotlight. In fact, both viewpoints are valid,
and so in the end moving the center of gravity between them at the festival
from year to year is the right approach.
Again, let's give some credit to Carol Marvin for letting a set of
experienced people, a Delphi Court if you will, help do the lineup
selections. Any list will generate complaints and disagreements, but
I bet when it's all over we will see that this year's lineup has its own
merits, because the reality is, at the literal end of the day, the music
is more powerful than anyone's agenda.
If Carol Marvin had picked some sidekick to select the lineup in secret,
and they had the typical aspirations to being a self-anointed Big Wheel in
musical inner circles -- which is how this sort of thing usually goes --
then we would have plenty of reason to kick back. Instead, what we got is
an admirable group of selectors, followed by a predictably incompetent
implementation of the recommended list by PCM. And even so, the lineup is
going to showcase some great music.
(Sooner or later, though, the city has to face up to the fact that you can't
burn everyone in town and keep the festival going. The comments from Kevin
Saunderson ought to make *everyone* sit up and pay serious attention.)
In the end, though, Carl's quote at the end of the MT article is exactly
right. He had the vision all along: the festival should be *everyone's*
festival. And so far, no matter what Carol Marvin may think, it still is.
phred
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