16/08/2024
The old echoes of yesterday
must never sing much louder
than the promise of tomorrow…
I wrote this verse to express the multitude of emotions I had watching the live streams last night. As and passed off the decks to and , 120+ years of DJ experience stood before us in the DJ booth. Four artists who took four different paths to express their passion for this music, this culture, and their dedicated disciples in front of them on the dancefloor.
I think my favorite thing about yesterday’s sets were that despite the shared history between them, these four artists choose to look forward rather than backward, not just at this event, but with every musical decision they face. I’m sure each of them have been offered an ungodly amount of money to play classic sets, but their focus is always on what’s next, rather than squeezing out every last cent of past achievements. When these artists walk, every step is forward.
John Digweed’s Bedrock Records is the avant garde underground beacon that refuses to be simply defined by one genre or musical style. Sasha’s sets are defined by his willingness to experiment, even when his fans long for comfort. Hernan Cattaneo has raised the tides of the Argentinian progressive scene, transforming it into a tidal wave that is now taking over the world. And Nick Warren has redefined himself as a DJ and label owner so many times over now, his style is not one genre or the other… his style is all encompassing.
And when given the chance, all four artists reflect the light that shines on them to the producers that will push forward this music in the years to come. Which is why yesterday’s sets, packed with unreleased music, was simply so enjoyable.
I’ll be sharing some posts about my favorite tracks from both sets, and please your thoughts of this photo in the comments!
📸: Berni Cangiano