Timewarp is one of the biggies in the Techno clubbing calendar. Held in a massive exhibition hall, holding 10,000 - a lot of UK festival promoters could do with taking a leaf out of Timewarp's book. Quickly in with a minimum of fuss, if only UK events were more like this. They've got it down to a fine art.

I arrived just after midnight to see the dance floors in full effect. Walking into Room 1, Monika Kruse was warming up the enthusiastic crowd nicely. A good omen for the night. Again a very friendly crowd, all smiles and some blank expressions - hmmm, I wonder! ;o)

A quick dance and chat to the locals, then a quick jaunt over to Room 2 for a peek at DJ Hell before Chris Leibing was due to start - or so I thought - I walked right into the curtains and got tangled up. Thanks to the Dutch girl for helping me out! I kinda gave up at that point, raring myself up for Chris Liebing - What a cracker!

The crowd was whooping and really buzzing by now. His first tune had me! A nice bangin' set, definitely one of the highlights for me! *turns on Chris Liebing set* Oh yes - nice and pounding!

A quick (OK, maybe not so quick!) run over to Room 4 for Magda. Ellen Allien is right on it, I'm hooked. No! She's off, but Magda comes on - bleep, bleep - a little bit harder than I was expecting - I certainly wasn't complaining, I have to say! Funky with a hard, yet feminine edge to it. I'm lost in the music, swirling around, it's just me and the music, transfixed. *puts on Magda set* Oh yes, I'm supposed to be writing a review! *doh* Excuse me!

I stumble into Room 3, for the Disco Boys, as I'd not heard them before. Erm, straight out! The only crappy music I've heard here! ;o) I'll leave it there for them! Euro-pop techno? OMG!

I catch the last bit of Sven Väth's set, a blinder! and troll off the see Loco Dice. I can't remeber too much aside from the odd snippet, but it's good! Then into room 2 for Richie, very busy! Quelle surprise! "I called you, but you weren't there" Fucking with the tunes, mixing it up, layering samples, creating new sounds and doing what Richie does best - taking you on a journey to a new world. The crowd roars - I'm hoarse from all the shouting! "Come on!"

I could have so easily stayed here all night long, being taken on a journey by "the master". I'm taken in, kicking and screaming - I have no choice! It was so hard to pull myself away from this set, it really was! You can tell that he enjoys playing here ... 7 hours of pure heaven! Messing with the sound, sampling on the fly, Banging out the beats. He's a real tease though - bring you to the edge, and holding you there! Remember Kel, you're here for another 6 hours - slow down!

I manage to reluctantly tear myself away, stumbling over to Ricardo Villalobos. It was well worth it! He really knows how to work a crowd. I'm lost again ... engulfed in the rhythm, the clicks, and the beats ... Tripping out big style ... Times flies, folds back on itself and does some other funny things. A big unexpected hug form a burly German! And BOOM! - I'm back on the dance floor with an inane grin on my face. Cheers Hans!

Back off to Richie, where time, space and parallel dimensions plays some more tricks on me, closing my eyes ... feeling the atmosphere ... relishing the music. At 2pm the music stops "Noooooo!" - definitely the worst part of the night - as realisation hits that the party is over!

I walk outside, to be greeting by some interesting munted peeps and a lovely HOT, sunny day! Perfection! I lay down on the grass by the stop back into town, everyone buzzing. I come to, everyone's gone, aside from a few stragglers. A perfect end to one of the events of the year ...

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The crowd were really nice and friendly, perhaps a little too much so at times (Hans!), but it's all good! People from all over were here, Italians (hubba, hubba!), Dutch, Spanish, all over Europe and a few Americans travelling over especially. Come next you and you'll see why! ;o) Some people had very interesting taste in clothes, but hey - you can't have it all! It certainly made me chuckle to see some of the peeps here!

After last year's event, my expectations were very high, and boy it didn't let me down. My only regret was not seeing as many of the sets as I'd have liked ... roll on 5th April 2008! And yes, you can rest your eyes now! haha!

Now you've read this review, you'll have to accompany me next year! ... OR ELSE!

basically what Kelv said above but through my twisted eyes and ears instead, for those that missed it then amke sure you watch the videos on youtube, some seriously good musical wank moments amongst them....roll on TDK 2008.

Sets to download - http://www.dontstayin.com/chat/f-1/k-1604933

Video's

I remember some of those! Can you memo those up with who was playing (if you can remember!)? I have a few to add, just gotta get my mates phone and work out how to get them onto my computer!

Use a USB lead or Bluetooth dongle mate, its a piece of piss.

Cheers mate! Will get them us ASAP.

Yeah ive got a few to upload myself, a couple on my phone and a couple on my camera, a job for tommorow i think.

HIya Kelvin, i am thinking of going timewarp but have a qestion. The whole booking systen is really confusing & I keep reading in placse that it starts on the 29 March?! But then the main event is on the 5th April?! Is it worth doing the whole thing or just the 5th? Also were did u stay?! Sounds like u had a phat time!! I love to party so really wanna go now ive read ur essay!
Cheers!

The big event with the 5 rooms is the first weekend of April. There are smaller events and nights going on around the area leading up to the biggie.

If you're into the smaller events leading up to the biggie, then go for it ... it's a good opportunity to seethe area. I'm just doing the main event (and Robert Johnson club the night before).

I've put info up for those attending here dontstayin.com ... have a gander!

You'll wonder why UK events can't be as well organised! It's fucking awesome!

*LOL* @ deleted comment!

You'll wonder why UK events can't be as well organised! It's fucking awesome!

I dont mean to come over all smug and elitest but Timewarp isnt that good compared with some Festivals in Germany. I just spent 4 years living there, I went Timewarp twice but only because DJ Rush was playing, I found it to be a bit souless and lacking a decent atmosphere. On the plus side there werent any chavs or hint of violence...

Oh erm if you dabble in you know what take your own, its very hard to get hold of at Timewarp.

www.sonnemondsterne.de
www.nature-one.de

IMO these two are much better, especially SMS which is the closest I think you would get to an old style 90's rave with people being *encouraged* to tip up with trucks and soundsystems, camping for a week, no crime, decent facilities like showers+toilets etc etc

Sorry to hijack the thread, just felt the need to give my 2 cents.

*LOL* @ deleted comment!

Yeah sorry :P

Had a shit day, fancied a quick rant!

Go ahead. Both SMS & N1 are on my to do list. I really want to do at least one of these this year if I can.

SMS mate, top top top festival. If you need any pointers drop me line.

Its the other side of Germany and its a bit of a mission, but if you do it you will not be disappointed, I dragged three mates over in 2005 and they still rave on about it!

Cheap as fcuk, top djs, its in a valley with lakes and trees all over the hills, its worth going just for the scenary. Mostly Germans, few Dutch and barely any Brits. i had people taking pictures of my car with the steering wheel on the 'wrong side'. :D By the second day the people nxt to you will be your best buds, its a real good laugh!

Excellent ... I really like the sound of that! Are you going this year?

Erm god knows, Id like to but Im a busy bloke these days, work 6 days a week then go out get fucked saturday night and spend sunday in bed so not sure! If I did Id drive cos Im a hardcore long distance raver! The offer still stands if you want any tips! :D

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Cheers Wozza. Once I've done a bit of research and have any questions, I'll drop you a line, mate. I'm with you on he working thing - I work full-time and have a part-time job on top.