Awakenings Festival
April 16th, 2010
This year’s Awakenings festival is already sold out, as expected, as techno fans from across Europe and even as far as North America have bought their tickets for the multi stage party on June 26. Taking place 
just outside of Amsterdam, this year’s edition like last will feature 2 open air stages and 4 tented areas with a very impressive lineup. Some of the artists set to perform include Laurent Garnier, Jeff Mills, Dave Clarke, Scan X, Juan Atkins, Kevin Saunderson, Derrick May, Speedy J & Chris Liebing, Adam Beyer, Paco Osuna & Alex Under, Richie Hawtin, Loco Dice, Raresh, Rush, Luciano, Advent & Industrialyzer, Ben Sims, Billy Nasty, Cari Lekebusch, Steve Rachmad, Surgeon, Oscar Mulero, Cassy, Len Faki, Pet Duo, Secret Cinema, Dave the Drummer, James Holden, Bas Mooy and many more! Unfortunately I opted to go to the motogp race in Assen instead on this day, can’t do both as much as I would like to. So this time around I will only get to experience the party via the sets afterwards, many of which should be recorded as well. Visit www.awakenings.nl for more details.
The Awakenings lineup for the Easter weekend was released this week and features some common crowd pleasing themes, from the 1997-2001 special on Friday to Detroit night on Sunday, 
something sure to appeal to techno fans of all stripes. I will only be going to the Friday edition this year, the past few 1997-2001 editions have been great, and on this occasion Dave Clarke, Cristian Varela, Miss Djax, Regis, Joey Beltram and Tim Wolff will bust out the older tunes! On Saturday night Chris Liebing headlines alongside Dubfire, Joris Voorn & 2000 and One, Oscar Mulero and Nic Fanciulli, and on Sunday night Kenny Larkin, Alan Oldham (T-1000), Robert Hood, Quince, Octave One and Juan Atkins are set to perform. Tickets are on sale now and will surely sell out in advance. Visit 
Normally the fact that this event is happening on a Thursday night would make it a non-starter for me, but in light of my new work schedule this is now rather tempting! The Strictly Techno crew in Rotterdam are staging another solid lineup on January 28, this time at the club Watt. Playing alongside Amsterdam city resident Dave Clarke will be Dutch artists Bas Mooy and Boris Ross. I’ve seen Dave fairly recently and he was his usual self, but it has been quite some time since I last saw Bas so I hope I make it out to this. Tickets are only 10 euros, for more information visit 
I may not live in the country anymore but I still like to keep tabs on Canadian techno bookings, mainly in Montreal, Ottawa and Toronto. There are several solid events in the weeks to come that 
are sure to get some techno lovers out of habitual winter hibernation. Leading the way is Joel Mull’s return to Canada when he headlines another Platform event at Footwork in Toronto on February 20. Footwork will also play host to Derrick May on January 9 and then on the 23rd Seth Troxler, Wighnomy Brothers and locals including Jamie Kidd, Greg Gow and Alicia Hush are set to perform at another Platform event. In Montreal the 4th annual Igloofest is about to begin its four week run featuring artists such as Guy Gerber, M.A.N.D.Y. and Joris Voorn alongside talented locals.
To kick off 2010, Dutch techno legend Speedy J is set to present another one of his Electrix Deluxe series parties at the Melkweg in Amsterdam on January 22. On this night he has elected to play from midnight until 5am in room 2, while the main room will feature Estroe, Mathew Jonson, 2000 and One as well as Modeselektor to end the night. Tickets are on sale for sixteen euros and can be purchased online: