We speak to some of the DJs performing at the June edition of Holland's Lakedance Festival.
Presented by First Vision, Lakedance is one of Europe’s premier electronic music festivals. Boasting extremely high production values and some of Europe’s finest DJs and artists, it takes place in a stunning location, next to Lake Aquabest near Eindhoven.
On the 9th June, we bring you the undisputed talents of Junior Jack & Kid Crème, Copyright, Franky Rizardo, Simon Dunmore, Born to Funk and Taras van de Voorde, all of whom will be performing on the Defected stage and flying the flag for quality house music.
“I’ve played at Lakedance Festival before and it was one of my favourite gigs of 2011!” says Franky Rizardo of the upcoming event. “The Defected stage was immense and the sound system was incredibly clear. This combined with a tent full of partypeople made it a joy for me to play.”
“It’s an amazing festival” agrees Born to Funk” and I think this location in Holland is one of a kind. The nature like surroundings and the beautiful lake – especially when the sun comes out – gives it a really special vibe.”
As you’d expect from a festival of this calibre, there’s plenty more entertainment than music on offer, but is there a danger that all the rides, food and non-musical fun can distract from the main event?
“No, I think it is a good thing” says Taras van de Voorde. “It's all about the experience, fun, love, flirting, drinking, eating, seeing and dancing to established and upcoming artists, it doesn’t get in the way of the music.”
Copyright’s Sam Holt agrees: “Festivals are ultimately all about the music. Sure there are other things there, but it just means you've got to be on your game and make sure you bring a vibe that's captures the attention. It's hard but not impossible!
The festival season is rightly seen as an intensely hedonistic one; people want to have fun and consequently this is when some of the year’s biggest records are championed. Does this mean that DJs have to prepare for festival gigs differently to how they would compare to for one in a club?
“I always try to have the best set possible, so there is not a big difference in preparing for a festival or club” answers Rizardo, “although I do include sunglasses in my bag when going to a festival!”
Born to Funk is a little more clinical in his thought process: “The first thing I try to do when playing at a festival is take a close look at the line-up and the time table. Who's playing before you? Who's playing after you? What time of the day are you playing? In my opinion these factors should all be taken into account.
“You want to make sure nobody else plays the same material, right? And I always remember that at a festival you're not just playing for the people right in front of you; you're also playing for everybody at the far end. People that are just chilling out. Sound carries a long way in the open air.”
Fittingly, Born to Funk has the last word: “I think any occasion where you get to play house music outdoors has something magical to it. I've so many good memories from around the world, and I'm sure this edition of Lakedance will add to those for sure.”
Photos by Gavin Mills
For more info and tickets, head to www.lakedance.nl
