Photo Cred: belTRON
With the success of Hard and Insomniac, low-key shows are about as rare as a stylish mullet. Nevertheless, once in a blue moon an inconspicuous event will emerge. Radius Fest took over San Diego last weekend with a two-night extravaganza at one of the sickest venues I’ve ever had the pleasure of shuffling in, the San Diego Air & Space Museum. Headliners included trance prodigy ‘Wippenberg’ and house legend ‘Avicii’. Our buddies in DJ Slander hooked it up with backstage passes for Friday. The Duo that is Derek and Scott destroyed the side stage with a solid set. Lots of fresh tracks on their tables, including Michael Wood’s ‘First Aid’ and Wolfgang Gartner’s ‘Space Junk’.
Radius had two picturesque stages of madness. The side stage took over the museum lobby; guests were welcomed with strobes, lasers and the Apollo 9 Command Module. The main stage was at the heart of the museum, directly underneath a massive 20,000-pound aircraft. To top it all off, the backdrop behind the decks was an AH-1 Cobra Attack Helicopter. ^^
Wippenberg (aka Olaf Dieckmann) is a German DJ and Producer. He’s toured the world and has been tearing up the trance scene for the past decade. Wippenberg opened for Avicii and I can honestly say, it was amazing. Sure, it wasn’t loud builds, heavy drops and constant jumping; but, that’s not what it’s about. As my taste for house music has grown over the years, I’ve never truly appreciated trance. I think the subtlety is what threw me off. That is, until I got my hands on Cosmic Gate’s Essential Mix. Speechless.
Wippenberg – Phoenix <-♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥
Avicii took over the decks and the crowd erupted. Probably the loudest any museum has ever gotten. Opening with Pryda’s ‘Glimma’, I knew I was in for a magnificent set. I’ve already witnessed Avicii in all his glory at Electric Daisy Carnival 10’, but he wasn’t spectacular. Since then, Avicii has produced some mind-blowing tracks such as ‘My Feelings For You’ and ‘Penguin’, rightfully earning super stardom. This time around, Avicii delivered one of the greatest sets my feet have ever had the gratification of shuffling to. Avicii, tack så mycket!
Phonat – Set Me Free (Avicii Remix) <-♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥
Armin Van Buuren Ft Laura V – Drowning (Avicii Remix) <-♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥
All in all it was an impressive lineup at an epic venue, everything I wanted and more. Radius Fest was one for the history books!
– Chronic Mncher
Bonus
Cosmic Gate BBC Essential Mix 2/12/2011
Also, snag an exclusive DJ Slander mix here
