TOGETHER AS ONE
LOS ANGELES, CA 12/31/2002

REVIEW

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In the blink of an eye a year can pass. In the blink of an eye a laser can permeate the fog in a dance room. And in the blink of an eye, pulsating beats can move the masses from jubilee to nirvana. Thousands did this in four musical areas this past winter as the Los Angeles Sports Arena was yet again host to the annual music festival known as Together As One concurrently produced by Go Ventures and Insomniac Events. December 31, 2002 was kissed off to bring on January 1, 2003 with world class talent and all classes of attendants. From super star djs to junglists to club kids to clubbers to candy kids to trancients to hardcore heads they all gathered under one hospice; to celebrate music, dance, and community. In the ballad of life one needs time off to vent off life's pressures or hurdles and what better track to run free than that of Together As One.

Being true to its name, a sundry of peoples was observed. Much more than ten and a half thousand came out to this ten and a half hour event for the young & old and for the near & far. This event brought out people from various areas and brought out the best in some people. People from Fremont in Northern California were met, people from Lake Elsinore, the Inland Empire, San Diego, talent from Italy and the UK, and of course the good ole local people from Los Angeles County were also on hand. Like hands across America, a positive vibe of giving and cheer was present this event. From people sharing bracelets, to promotional goods, to hugs, to effortless yet effective smiles. For those fortunate to have shared in this event, it was one of only two massives held in the Southern California area.

Making the event of massive caliber were the 40 or so acts, the monstrous sound systems, and mobs of event goers ready to pound foot soles to dance floor. There were four musical areas rounding out the event. The largest area titled the Together Arena was held inside the Sports Arena and had a bone resonating sound system, bigger than life screens depicting the djs, a visually stunning curtain of lights, and plenty of open spaces to hold the masses showing up to see the skills of Armand Van Helden, Marco Carola, Dj Irene, Dj Funk, Barry Weaver, Steve Loria, a tagteam set of Dj Reza & Lenny V, Sensei & David Coleman, and Raul Campos.

The next area complete with a colorful backdrop was the outdoor area under one of the overpass bridges leading into the Arena. This area was called the B-boy bridge. Rightfully so, the talent of this area kicked the junglist sounds that moved the b-crowd to defy gravity and dance conventions with their styles all their own. Talent throwing it down here was Adam F, Ed Rush, Reid Speed, Deacon, CRS?, Machete, Dj Tao & Mc Skurge, APX-1, and SDF-1.

Moving right along to the funky sounds of the other outdoor area titled The Megaclub, this area became a canvas to the turntable artists. Painting a canvas all their own were some of the event goers in this area that were performing dances assisted by props and others who took care and creativity to make a fashion statement with their ensembles. The talent ensemble for this area was Grant Plant, Mark Lewis, Mars, Thomas Michael, Swedish Egil, Miss Lisa, Thee-O, Greg G and Jennifer Lauren, Dj Ruff, Christos, and Beetlejuice.

Braving the catacombs of the Arena complex, one would then find the dominion of the high beat per minute medleys; the Hardcore Room. The room where needle damage goes hand in hand with ear damage or mosh pitting body damage, dispensing the core were the likes of Jappo, Omar Santana, Ron D. Core, Demigod, Dj Smurf, Dutchboy, Lostboy, Diehard, Eon, Astro, and Michael Hemp. Unable to perform due to equipment issues, Lethal Insanity's place was taken by Astro and Michael Hemp. Astro was also observed to have been playing during Nico and Teta's slot as well. Hats off to these djs that took the time to fill in as they unleashed a core sound as hard and violent as a dental fill in that left the heads asking for more.

All well and kept well were the grounds of the venue. Multiple entrances and ample screening staff made entry a breeze, with at most a fifteen minute wait at peak times. Restrooms were very clean and stocked, plenty of security staff was on hand to preserve event functionability, plenty of local police to preserve safety, and plenty of space to preserve movement. Even with all the vendor booths about, one was still not crowded. If the crowd needed a rest, there were massage tables on hand. If the crowd needed a bite, there were plenty of food concession stands about. If the crowd needed a brewsky, there were several drink parlors around as well. Other vending spotted was Chronic Candy with their clothing and lollipos, Pitbull Energy Drink posters and clothing going about, ECDreams.com calendars, and even Dub gear was seen througout the night. The night went into the books in almost a blink. The old odage holds true, "time flies when your having fun". Seeming to be afloat or in flight, viewable from all over the arena floor, atop the center of the stage, a flower like display of the world with petals around it could be seen reflecting the stage lights and lasers. A world symbolic of its yellow petals of emitted sunshine? Maybe, if anything, certainly symbolic of what was observed at Together As one.

Don’t forget to visit www.newyearsevela.com

SEE YA NEXT TIME.


NOTE: THIS TEXT IS PROPERTY OF POZEST.COM
ALL RIGHTS RESERVED