> I would only add that AO notes that since the DEMF, Detroit won't pay > to see the music. But it's not like it was much different before the DEMF. I gave up on trying to see the music live. Anytime there is a big (or even little) techno show you end up waiting hours to get in, or you show up at 10pm to sit around with morons on drugs for a set that won't happen until the wee hours of the morning (or maybe the DJ will flake and never show up - the promoter knows this has happened but doesn't say a word). Maybe it's not all that bad, but I've had enough tedious experience that I no longer regard live DJ sets as "Fun." I did the scene in the 80's when I was a kid but, like a lot of people, I'm too old and have a daytime job that takes a lot of energy. I still go to *lots* of rock shows, but dance music seems to be targeted exclusively at people who are jobless, on speed, and/or in their teens and twenties. Why the hell would I want to pay $20 to be treated like crap? At the Dopplereffekt show after DEMF 2, a dozen of us were left outside in line for hours, harrased by cops, etc. Once they finally let us in, we had missed most of the show and found the place was fairly empty. I don't even bother with techno shows anymore because every other show seems to have this kind of crap, and I don't care to waste my time and only to be left unable to stay awake the following Monday at work. I can spin records at home with friends and have a lot more fun. On the other hand, DEMF has made it reasonable for a few of us working geezers to go out and enjoy this music again. While I don't mind paying (and getting a room convieniently near to DEMF is no small expense), I *do* mind standing for hours in fake lines and I don't like waiting around until 5am (the same time I normally wake up for work) to see the set, etc. Maybe this will turn into flames, but I know lots of people that feel this way. It's hard enough to get a crowd to show, but fake exclusivity only drives many fans away. For all it's problems, DEMF is open to all whether they are 3 or 90. Part of what I thought was beautiful about the first DEMF was the sheer number of *average* people that turned out to enjoy the music - families with kids and grandparents, and all other sorts that would otherwise never get to see world class DJ's. The people promoting Techno need to realize that more people will come to challenging music - and even pay - if you give them a reasonable chance. just my .02, mark
