TOGETHER AS ONE
LOS ANGELES, CA 12/31/2003


REVIEW

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



Once a year the two great Southern California electronica production companies conjoin to send off the year into the archives and pop off a new year like new year's eve champagne. Those two companies are Go Ventures and Insomniac Events, and the name of their massive union is Together As One. On that night, no other city in the entire Golden state, or perhaps the entire nation for that matter, brings immaculate electronica talent together under one hospice, under one vibe, together as one, like this annual celebration of massive and memorable proportions.

The memories formed from this recent installment was on Wednesday, December 31, 2003 under beautifully cooperative Southern California weather. Held at the spacious Los Angeles Memorial Sports Arena, the venue is turned into a multi-faceted music festival. Three stages and a VIP area became the launching pad for the masses in attendance who took a surreal and cerebral trek via the music coming from the superstar disk jockeys. The three areas were titled Together Arena, Bassrush Arena, and Temple of Sound.

The Together Arena, the most impressive of the three areas, also had the one of the most impressive line ups ever seen by the Together As One series. The arena is a cavernous structure that hosted a whopping sound system that could be heard from hundreds of yards away as partygoers made their way from the parking lots to the grounds. Aside from the arena creating a large encased environment where the sound of the music and the talents of the disc jockeys could be appreciated, another appreciable factor was the dark environment that is brought to life by the cutting edge and mesmerizing laser show. With some of the best visuals and laser displays, not a soul would be disappointed as the laser show movement matched the music beat per beat. The extra dark environment also proved to be inviting to the glow stick dancers who from a distance appeared invisible as their bright glow sticks whirled around like lightning-speed fire flies. A very special fiery surprise was in store at midnight, as bright pyrotechnics illuminated the arena and spirits at the stroke of midnight. The arena and the production companies went to great lengths for approval and safeguards for this pyrotechnical shower at the stroke of midnight, and what can be said of this flawless night of lights and sights is "stroke of genius". The true geniuses of the nights were the talent on the roster, and folks, they did not disappoint. For those that came to last year's event, they were treated to one of the top disc jockeys in the world, straight from the United Kingdom, none other than Judge Jules. This year, Together As One did not disappoint, as it again had Judge Jules headlining the Together Arena. As if that was not already enough, also from the United Kingdom, were Fergie and John "00" Fleming who took their turns at the tables producing awe inspiring sets. Our Los Angeles favorite, Richard Humpty Vission, took an opening slot, and great things can be said of the entire line up when the opening dj is a high profile dj like Richard. Doran followed afterwards further taking the crowd into its musical high and capping off the night with his traditional closing set was the man of Go Ventures, Reza.

With the arena spectacle and talent alone, the average person could go home a happy camper, and in Together As One fashion, a star studded list of talent was on hand for the other areas as well. Outside the arena walls and under the bridge that leads to the main entrance of the arena, was the Bassrush Arena. On hand, for this area, also from the United Kingdom, were a set of superstar disc jockeys. Namely Goldie and Dillinja, who put on spectacular sets, but also Dj Fresh and Lemon D. In case you been wondering, what is it with the headlining monopoly from the UK, it can best be summed up this way. The hot talent, be it what it may be and be it where it may be from, just so happened to come by way of the UK this time around. From yet another angle, no where else, will this line up be seen together either, relatively speaking from here in the states. Flanking these disc jockeys, completing the Bassrush Arena, were a few Los Angeles locals by the name of Hive, Hazen, & XXXL. Dj Tao from San Francisco was also present, and in this environment, how would we forget the masters of ceremony of the night, MC Armanni and MC Dino. This area, which has seen its share of other locales within the L.A. Sports Arena venue, seems to resonate best in this area. The sheer energy of this area is exemplified by the following observation while photographing one of the superstar djs from the media pit. Even with the loud sound system pushing the bass lower than sea level, as we approached the ideal spot for the best photograph, we could see the people in front holding on to the four foot high rails, and catapulting the rails a foot in every direction as the energy possessed them. Keep in mind, a few people were also standing on these rails while dancing as the rail was catapulted around with junglists on board. The situation was under control and no negative results occurred.

Another area, where the rails were also subjected to the pounding of the music and the masses was the Temple of Sound. Held in the area that serves as the Vip area for Basketball games, the headliners were none other than Barry Weaver from San Diego and Mars from San Francisco. Closely behind in supporting fashion were Los Angeles veterans like Lenny V, Thomas Michael, Thee-O, Josh David & Greg G. Mars is a popular and celebrated dj who treated us with cd favorites such as Faith in 2000, and very recently reminded us of why we can appreciate Trance music while we dance, while we sleep, while we work, and while we play, with a new cd out called Sonic Sunrise which comes with a DVD documentary on Frequency 8. At this event, we had the opportunity to chat with Mars and feel firsthand his appreciation of his fans. Another honorable mention for this area is G-Spot from Hawaii, who felt at home with a packed and receptive audience. If the audience thirsted in this area, relief was not far as this area had its own bar only a few steps away.

The one area that took a few extra steps to make the night very worthwhile to the attendants was the Vip area. The Vip area was located behind the main stage in the Together Arena, and had many perks. First off getting into the event was through a separate entrance that at most would have 10 to 15 people in line as a pose to the main entrance lines which held at least 100. Furthermore, Vip holders were treated to special gifts, access to the Vip area which contained couches and a lounge area, and for those over 21, here is the clincher, an all night Vodka open bart. Yes, free alcohol all night!! It should also be mentioned, that the Vip area allowed attendants access to the lower stage area of the main room, so they could literally high five a dj as they walked off the stage. Similarly, the Vip wristband allowed attendants into the media pits at the Temple of Sound so fans could be that much closer to their favorite talent.

The talent coming from this event does not end with the djs and production alone. The people themselves played a vital role. First and foremost are the club kids, with favorites like Confusion, formerly known as Kid Galactic, Rocky Diva Raccoon, and a host of others. These participants every year, and every massive for that matter, turn out in force and with ecstatic creations of imagination and fashion savvy as they design and construct their own custom wear. Every where they go they are camera favorites, and these kids are not selfish with their time. These kids ought to be in magazines as their unique poses are full of poise and passion. Just as passionate with fashion creativity and experimentation, are the ordinary individual visitors who also make an effort to experiment with fashion. Examples of such talented individuals were a a group of four individuals that wore matching neon overalls, a handful of sexually tantalizing angels in nearly transparent lingerie, a handful of assorted carebears, colorful candy kids, for whom beads and candy are an expression of there charisma, and black colored clothing toting mysterious persons as well. Many of these visitors are local and many come from far and away such as Ana Supernova from Las Vegas, or others from Temecula, Escondido, Palmdale, Apple Valley, San Diego, the Inland Empire and so on. The borderless array of attendants truly help to make this gathering one where they can say they are Together As One. No one would feel alone at this event, as making friends is as easy as smiling. Numerous attendants were encountered that took the trek here alone, and left with new friends and new memories. The massives have always been a place of making friends and meeting up old ones and this year was no exception even for us. One person we befriended, was a Scooby Doo six foot tall character. A promoter for Shaggyland wore a Scooby Doo costume at certain points of the night and quickly became our friend and a crowd favorite as well. Every where one looked people could be seen taking pictures with each other, exchanging handshakes & hugs, and exchanging compliments. Just as these massives are a celebration of music, taking into consideration the amount of warmth and brotherhood that expounds about, these massives could also qualify as a celebration of humanity.

Another human aspect to the massives and Together As One is dancing. Just as one can audibly enjoy music, one can also physically enjoy the music by moving to it. For some, the music moves them instinctually, for others, seeing others dancing motivates them, and for others, the music is a ritual of celebration. Regardless, dancing can be physically beneficial as it promotes good exercise, dancing take us away from reality by helping us release our stresses, and dancing can also serve as a courtship for those young single attendants.

Not a single thing was left to chance at this event, as virtually everything was thought of. Lines into event moved quickly with 3 or 4 lines per entrance and multiple entrances about the venue. Plenty of indoor restrooms were available and maintained often, so one could always find soap, paper towels, and a dry floor to walk on. Plenty of outdoor restrooms were on hand for those who chose to not walk indoors, and for those who thirsted or hungered plenty of yummy snacks and concessions could be found. For those who chose to spend their money in other ways, plenty of vendors were on hand selling massages, clothing, raver gear, candy, cameras, and glowsticks.

As the glow of the night's festivities simmered down to a close at about 4 a.m., the masses went home with a new year ahead, and a fresh slate for taking on the new year's challenges. It will be worthwhile to wait, to see how massives challenge convention and themselves to bring us something new and yet familiar.

Don’t forget to visit www.newyearsevela.com

SEE YA NEXT TIME.


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