Make it a triple
Earlier this year, Tiesto hosted an intimate gathering at Indigo2. Unfortunately, I didn’t get my shiznit together and the opportunity became impossibility. After missing out, my goal of seeing Tiesto live three years in a row looked to be, very much in tatters.
Never doubt your heroes
Never doubt your heroes – and likewise their bottom line. With more fans to get on board, Tiesto returned to the main arena at the O2 to entertain a sell out 10,000+ audience – this time, me included. When fellow ravers began to tell me about Tiesto’s return to London, I knew he had become mainstream. Long time. Three years in a row, Tiesto… and he’s still searching for sunrise, his 7th in fact.
The venue
Friday had been an expected rush, with big room clubbing an ideal way to end a hard week’s work. The past month has been pretty sh*t actually. Behold the O2 arena, accessible by tube (Jubilee line) with a capacity of 20,000. Formerly the millennium dome (left to rot away in the docklands) – it has since been transformed to the ever so popular O2. All your favourite artists and bands have played at the arena – and now your favourite DJ’s.
The O2 is huge. The circular space with it’s exterior food and drink stalls emits a similar feeling to that of a football stadium. In terms of looks, the O2 is very industrial (as it’s surroundings), lacking the classical elements and appeal of Ally Pally (where Tiesto played in 2007).
The beats, lights and visuals
Supported by First State, Tiesto opened his set at 11.20am (earlier than expected!). ISOS7 was very much the theme of the opening mixes, with the odd classic weaved in (although far and few). Tiesto closed with Adagio for Strings and a confetti spray across the dance floor. Lighting and visuals seemed a little bright (squinting at a club WTF!) and less spectacular than the previous year. Pyrotechnics lacking somewhat – perhaps China saved them all for the Olympics. Tiesto vanished early at 4.30am – with Airbase taking rein of the decks. A bit premature for my liking – I was expecting to go all the way. People blatantly started leaving, which killed the mood totally.
6am, showered and in bed… 2 hours short of previous events and certainly not one for the record books. Still, the pics came out a treat:
Use protection in the clubs
Excessive action in the clubs can cause permanent hearing damage and tinnitus. The only sensible way to protect your ears whilst still have a banging time is to use ear plugs, such as the Etymotic ER20.
Feeling like a twat with rubber protection at a concert, I was mildly relieved to see another clubber flash his ear plugs during the molestation at the metal detection doors. Once plugged in, the volume was quite low and I wasn’t hearing a lot. However, once Tiesto came to the fore it got progressively louder and more lively. Deep into the night I thought I’d take the plugs out and have a listen. Quite a substantial difference in volume – I was shocked at the excessive noise without the rubber.
The main issues I noticed with the plugs is that conversation is difficult (voice needs to be more directional into the ear piece) and they get slightly itchy. Or my ears are just plain dirty.
Cost:
- Tickets, main floor standing: £35 + £5 (fee) = £40.00
- Pint of Becks (plastic cup): £3.70
- Bottle of water from the bar: £1.80
- Tub of Movenpick icecream: £3.00
- All day breakfast (massive sausage + bacon muffin, 2x hashish browns, unlimited ketchup!): £6.50
- Pair of ear plugs (Etymotic ER20): £8
Final mix
When Tiesto leaves early at 4.30am I do wonder if he’s planning on settling down. Hopefully not, as he’s still one of my highlights on my London calendar, for sure.
I haven’t blogged for a while, but the music always brings out the best in me – the urge to splurge.
PS: Tiesto’s podcast can be found here.
Nite.
yet another dj 