Ok, so I like electronic dance music, more specifically Trance. When I started in the 1990's, the US was a bit behind in that department.
Still, with San Francisco and San Jose nearby, I've had some opportunities to see some great EDM/Trance DJs. Back in the early 2000's, they sadly played club music in the US that was nowhere close to the hits they had composed and were known for, but over the years, as Trance started becoming more popular, those DJs finally started playing their good tunes in the US too, and maybe from 2004 on, it's only been getting better. Popsicle Halloween 2004 was really the beginning of great music parties in the San Francisco Area, and thankfully things have gotten even better since then
As a matter of fact, after another 10 years (2015 and beyond) the good news is that Trance has grown quite a following in the US, and places like the SF Bay Area, and while Trance has been declared dead a few times in the last 10 years, it's still going strong here.
Trance Family SF is definitely strong in the area, we've been getting more big trance parties every year, including many top DJs that come visit us what feels like every other week now (as of 2018-2019), and through those events, I made many friends in Trance Family SF. Thanks to you all.
Over those years, I got the chance to meet a few of my favourite DJs, including Armin more than once, and my last hobby has been to work on lights for my shirt and pants (version 3) and (version 4)
With covid, it had been 2 years since This Is Trance at Panama in 2019, so glad to go back, even if it was more during day hours (15:00 to 00:00 due to the midnight curfew). Actually earlier hours was just as good, it's all about the lineup, and the lineup was solid.
ADE Day #4 for my outfit, despite a lot of "close contact", survived and was still working. Even the neopixel strips were still working. I also found out that with my 3rd battery, I should get 13 to 14H runtime (about 240Wh of batteries for the 148,032 LEDs on the outfit):
The different security staff that day had a quick look at my stuff, but again was nice enough to let me in without issues, although they didn't allow people to come in with even an empty bottle of water.
Back at Panama, Panama, I missed you, and your 20cl glass bottled municipal water, as well as 2 euro fee to go use the toilets (but they are nice, you only pay once per night, and I didn't first have to exchange my money for worthless tokens, so it could be worse, haha. That was my fee to go refill my bottle of water)
It's not a huge venue and it was packed to the brim, so it definitely gave for a more intimate feel. Everyone was having a great time. Actually I wondered if anyone was sober at all, and by that I don't mean beer, haha. The crowd vibes were just amazing:
the VJs did a good job with lighting and lasers
Paul Thomas opened at 15:00:
The Thrillseekers was next, Steve did another enjoyable set again:
Factor "I can't believe I'm getting paid to have this much fun" B was next, OMG, he was on fire:
bring it on!
Good to see John O Callaghan next, as always he's more calm and composed, but that didn't stop him from another great set too:
Did I mention FactorB was having a lot of fun? :)
Aly and Fila was back again, and we didn't mind :)
FactorB went to enjoy that set in the crowd with us
The studio had Road Kahan and then Suncatcher & Exolight, happy to see them again after Untold in Romania:
Back in the main room, Bryan Kearney was next, and played trance that was less hard as usual. I enjoyed it more as a result:
And Manuel Le Saux closed the night:
It was also great to see the newlyweds Robert and Nadine Nickson for a group picture:
Manuel nicely played a song for them:
And after 9H the night was over, so much fun, one more picture with Suncatcher & Exolight, it was cool to meet again after Untold:
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