Sensation, the Dutch dance music experience, just came to the United States for the first time ever after traveling to over 20 other countries. For two nights, October 26 and 27, the Barclays Center in Brooklyn, NY was turned in to a massive club for EDM lovers around the US. The event requires all attendees to wear all white and features a mind-blowing production which includes indoor pyrotechnics and fountains. One of the headliners for “Innerspace”, Fedde le Grand, says “I think the best comparison is Cirque Du Soleil vs. a really good EDM party,”. With a two-day lineup stacked with international talent such as Fedde le Grand, Danny Tenaglia and Mark Knight the turnout was unbelievable. Sensation said that they waited until now because they felt that the United States was finally ready for the experience, but were they really?
The answer is no, they weren’t, at least not yet. The United States culture is based too much on tangible objects. Sensation is about the experience, about the music. Its setup does not cater to a big name DJ being in the spotlight, it’s not designed so that everyone attending can get a view of the headliner. It’s about having a real dance music experience. There appeared to be a handful of people enjoying themselves but it lacked the energy. It wasn’t about the music for these people, they needed something more, something tangible. Also, the blatant Bud Light product placement didn’t help. Friday’s live Youtube coverage was interrupted every few minutes so that two hosts could ask attendees how they were going to make their evening “platinum”. “Platinum” was of course a reference to Bud Light Platinum which had spilled an obscene amount of money in to the event. Sensation itself remained unchanged, or so Duncan Stutterheim (CEO of ID&T, the company that produces Sensation) said in an interview during the Youtube coverage. The show was absolutely phenomenal, I don’t mean to put that part down. The issue simply was that it was held in America. For now events like Sensation should stay on the other side of the pond, we just aren’t ready for it.
This opens up a new question as to dance music as a whole in the US. Are we, the consumers of dance music in America, contributing to the expectation of a DJ being more than someone that plays music? Do we need to create a persona for DJs beyond their music? Maybe in fact there is a new component to dance music on the rise. It’s not necessarily a genre, or even about the music, but an added element. Something that has never been a part of EDM before. Will there in fact be an age when we begin to recognize DJs more by their faces (and even voices) than by there music? And if so, what happens to the music?
I am really interested as to your opinions on Sensation coming to the US and some of the questions I raised at the end. Whether you agree or disagree with my point of view or you have an answer to the questions I brought up I would love to hear from you. You can comment on the article below or feel free to shoot me an email at jmmarmor@youredm.com.
As I mentioned before Sensation was very well executed and you can catch all the theatrics and pyrotechnics in the aftermovie below. Enjoy!
You’re an idiot, this isn’t about some transcendental experience it’s about selling tickets to people who want them. Stop trying to turn dance music into some kind of religion
I have to disagree in that I DO NOT think Sensation was well organized. Barclay’s Center either can not or was not ready to handle an event of this size. The lines to get down to the dance floor from the “bowl” were ridiculous. People pushed each other and stood on stairs, while paying at least $180 a night. Every moment it felt like you were being herded to the next door or the next stair. As a matter of fact, $180 per night for an event with basically one big room, and just a few DJs is a HUGE rip off. For that much money I was expecting a truly unbelievable production (at least) and it was not. Sure there were moments, but when you think what Insomniac does in terms of production AND lineups, for cheaper… Just look at their NYE party. Going to be HUGE with a more diverse lineup and most likely top notch production. EDC cost barely more than that for a 3 day pass with art and people’s involvement and artists. On the organization (or lack of) the bars were TERRIBLE. Slow, missing items, just generally bad service. Food was terrible. Just think of the gourmet food at Electric Zoo right in NY. I could go on with other issues but I had a good time… I always do. Danced my ass off. I come there for the music and dancing. But… when I pay $180 (and I paid even more for second night) I expect TOP NOTCH AMAZINGNESS.
I pretty much agree with Zheka.
I also disagree that Americans care so much about the DJs themselves. I think Americans (myself included) just don’t like the style of House that Sensation generally uses. It’s way too monotonous, without slow parts or sufficient build-ups. There were no ups-and-downs, no surprises in any of the music.
In general with electronic, I’ve heard enough music that I can hear a song and then recognize it later, even if I never know the name. That’s not the case for pretty much anything I heard at Sensation. The only songs that stood out in my memory were that, among maybe 5 total vocal tracks the whole night, TWO of them were mixes of Paradise (Coldplay). That seems sloppy.
Of course, that is a matter of taste. But I listen to a LOT of electronic music. I tend to like everything from smooth trance to heavy dubstep back to liquid drum ‘n bass, and I like what is seems to be termed “progressive house” (SHM, Alesso style music, although of course their tracks in particular tend to be overplayed), but the music at Sensation just sounded like pretty much one track to me. I could dance to it, but really I was bored.
I love going to shows and hearing DJs or openers I’ve never heard before. And of course I have heard the Sensation DJs before. I just flat out didn’t enjoy the music after four hours, and it seemed like most people felt the same.
It was a good night. I had fun, and I’m glad I went, but I wouldn’t shell out another $180 for that.
Yes I would agree with you there. It is that kind of Tech House sound that lacks the big drops and a lot of people don’t like quite as much. I think maybe they should have changed the show a little more for America, maybe used some more mainstream DJs.
Sorry to hear about that. Hopefully they will use this round of Sensation as a learning experience if they ever return.
I think it is a little unfortunate that you think it is all about selling tickets. Sensation in the past has been coined as a sort of “transcendental experience” and that’s what they were looking to bring to the US. Granted, it is always about the money but Sensation has been known to give more.
I am not trying to turn EDM in to a religion I am just passionate about it. I love EDM the way it is and the way it has been and I would just hate to see it changed. It is a really unique form of music and I don’t want it to be turned in to something that its not.
They SHOULD return…. Just not do it at Barclays (Ugly Ripoff) Center
My goodness Tech House bores the living crap out of me !!!! They love it in Europe and especially Ibiza. Its considered the “smart EDM lover” music. For me I fall asleep. Its just another version of minimal bloop-bleep-bloop crap. Ill be honest I think your music tastes are a little commercial for me. One thing Ive always loved about going to house parties is NOT knowing the songs to be played. Its not a concert or a radio show. But at the same time I think there is a perfect middle and some DJs hit that. Mark Knight for me does it. Actually Chuckie would be perfect for you. I love him cause he bangs it out and plays some new stuff as well as the big hitters. Joris Voorn ? BORING. Nic Fanciulli ? Ive heard him rock out Space in Ibiza and also he used to couple years ago… now he is BORING too. Music in general was much better on Saturday than Friday. Really I didnt mind the music too much. I just wish it was cheaper and/or organized better.
I would like to see them do it in a space where everyone could be on the floor. I think that would really change the experience and make it better for all.