DJRW

Back from Berlin (4-7 sep). Folsom Europe, our own version of San Francisco’s kinky open air party.
As this scene is part of my life, I like to to stay close with these events. As a matter of fact, I have done a set at PIG in 2006.
This year, it was just visiting and had a good time !
Besides the open air gathering of kinky guys from all over the globe, there were the main events: Perverts & PIG.

Perverts (by Mr.B) was traditionally at the “Glass House” and had a good atmosphere. The music was quite dark, especially on the main dancefloor and went sometimes beyond the taste of most Wester-European visitors. The smaller dancefloor had a nice balance of electro, techno and progressive.

PIG (by ROB & Recon) was this year at “Haus am Kölnischer platz”. This must have been a conference or cinema complex. Interesting venue to hold a cruise & dance party. The enormous amount of small/big rooms in the basement provided in all themes a comfortable place to cruise.
This year for the first time, there were 3 dancefloors. One for the VIP’s, a main floor (in the main conference room) and a smaller one. Though lit up with a good set of light effects, it was still a bright conference room, so it wasn’t easy to get into an underground dance mood.
I heard also quite some unsatisfaction about the music, especially in the main room.
Manuel Carranco and Per QX gave a very good shot, but the built up by Frank Wild and Gordon John couldn’t set the fire in this huge and bright room.
Also, many people wondered why Jack Chang wasn’t doing a main set like all previous editions. If it was an experiment with a new programming, or business reasons.. who knows, but for sure it wasn’t the same feeling.
All together there must have been 3500-4000 people. Every year PIG grows with around 500 vistors. For some it is getting too massive but hey, if a mixed/straight event like Sensation White in A’dam gets 40000 visitors, this still has potential to grow.
So far, every year there has been a new venue. Already the curiousity is a reason for guys to come again. Let’s see what next year will bring .

I spent the last night of this weekend at GMF, Alexanderplatz.
Allthough this club already exists at least 10 years, I never checked it out.
A must !
A refreshing blend of all subscenes. Butchies, creatives, shopping boys, twinks, daddies, you name it, they are all there. Divided over 2 floors in a tall office building, the crowd moves up and the elevators and if the weather permits, you’ll enjoy the skyline of Berlin from the rooftop.
The place is dark but cozy and has a compact but well programmed light set.
On the lowest floor, R&B, deep house, and funky grooves were played.
I enjoyed on the top floor, the beats of DJ Stephano. Sometimes a bit poppy, but for sure energized by enhanced electrobeats & basslines.
I will visit this spot again, for sure !.