I remember the first-ever festival under the name 'Awakenings' as it was yesterday. 20 years ago (no error, keep on reading). Two tents and a small chill area. Harder Techno, Softer Techno, Chill-out House & Disco. Techno lovers only; 8k of them. Super atmosphere. Last weekend it was quite different. Though same location, 7 or 8 areas. Gigantic tents. From über the top hard techno to chill out techno and some house. Some techno lovers and a whole bunch of mainstream party peeps; 70k of them. Ok atmosphere... Time changes everything.
At first, I wasn't planning to write this blog post. I and my camera weren't too connected last Sunday. Hence, limited material. After a little push by 
When I njoy festivals, I lock up miss Time. She is not allowed to come near me. It's all about the here and now. The moment. Carpe Diem. Looks like this post is a reflection of that. It was already in the evening when we had this dinner. Somewhere at the side of the festival, behind fences, a food truck was located operated by one of the best Italian cooks in Amsterdam. Today with the job to fill the stomachs of artists, I was fortunate to be with the right peeps at the right time. Delicious!
We could select from 2 set menus. However, Bruno (the cook) told us to sit down and be surprised. A bit of everything was the promise. I've eaten often at festivals (and in clubs for that matter), but never ever to the quality of this. By far the best part of the whole festival experience! 🤥 {read further down for the other good parts, and the video of course 🙃}
While 25 years ago no big screens, lights and all that, now everything is massive and done beautifully. The Dutch master of Detroit-ish techno with a minimum of 30, maybe 35 years of experience, on the board!
Trying to be artistic!
Massive tents! Not too busy (yet) since this and following photographs I took when we just arrived early in the afternoon. I must admit, the lights were done very well! {am repeating}
Yet another tent/stage.
...and another one...
It's not always the best or the most comfortable route across the festival terrain. Having the perk to be allowed backstage, these quiet routes we took more than a few times.
Back to one of the stages you've seen above in one of the other pics.
Though 20 years again the first Awakenings festival, 25 years ago the first Awakenings (indoor) event, it was 23 years ago I joined in for my first ever Awakenings experience. The location: 'Westergas Fabriek' aka 'Gashouder', an old gas tank build more than a century ago. For this anniversary edition, they 'brought' this gas tank to the festival. A great job, since I almost felt to be in the Gashouder. Music-wise it wasn't a success though. A kinda house sound, the moments I checked out this stage.
For a few hours, I had this view. Not that it's the best location to hang around, but the sound was more balanced back here. Awakenings events are known for the pumped-up bass that makes your whole body vibrate. All nice and all such sound-based massage, but mid-tones are pushed way to the back. Hence I had to 'climb' behind the speaker walls for a better sound.
I have no idea how many artists played at this festival, but the three I love, played all in sequence it the same stage. When Sterac started at around 17hrs, I was glued. Whatever happened outside, happened, but without yours truly. As usually, an amazing set he played! A few clips are in the second part of the video. After Sterac, Ben Klock did his thing for two hours. The opening was not too good, but when we came back after our dinner, he pleased my ears and mind a lot. Underground rave techno to the max! When he gave the controls over to the closing act, Speedy J, I felt like staying for at least another hour, but my friends decided they wanted to go home. I was too lazy to find other means of transportation and wasn't in the mood to walk home, though only 18 kilometres away from my cosy couch. There is always a next time 🙃 And many next times will come this year, am pretty sure about that.
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