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[Report] Energy: The Network (NL)

Last weekend the time had come, we were allowed to let all our energy loose in a new ID&T concept called Energy. For the first time, the previously named "Trance Energy" would be carrying a new name and thus also taking a new route.
Not many people may have missed the fact that it wasn't a Trance only line-up. In fact, the largest percentage of DJ's all had a house / electro background. Therefore, I was really anticipating this event.

Besides all the musical aspects of Energy we can't forget the visual aspects. This is is beyond a doubt a party at which all photographer's would like to be. When I started doing party shoots, a mere 1,5 years ago, this was the exact party I wanted to strive towards and now it was time that I could finally capture all the beauty this party had to offer.

The first area that I reckoned with was "Connect". This years theme was "The Network" and all area's were named after a subject regarding networking (computing). To keep in touch with the main theme, I loaded my camera with a 16GB memory card to make sure I could download as much data possible from "The Network". Another way to do this was by using your phone. Via the free wifi connection, you could download the timetable and a map of all the area's. There weren't any physical time-tables handed out in the usual paper format which is something I really disliked.
Of course, it's nice to keep in the spirit of the theme and to "connect" to the wifi for all your needs, but as you can imagine, when 30.000 people do this simultaneously then "The Network" would be a little bit slow even if this was setup bu ID&T. And this is where the theme rested upon.

The main music style in the "Connect" area was Trance. Airbase opened the area and after him Lange was on. The sound system was amazing in this area, in fact the sound system was amazing in every area. After 17 years of organizing Trance Energy they really do know how to fill this place up with perfect sound.
Finally, the "Play" (Mainstage) area of Energy opened up. You know, the area where a small 20.000 people could go wild in and hold their cellphones in the air. The one and only Tiësto would be laying down a set for us, but before he began, I was pleasantly surprised by Avicii. This Swedish DJ really played a varying set filled with a combination of House and Trance. his well known remix of "Armin van Buuren - Drowning" also passed by!

The magic of Energy started at 2 o'clock, Tiësto made his entrance and thousands of cellphones, which I previously mentioned, were held high in the air. A goosebump moment and one to never forget. The lasers and other visual effects really placed the finishing touches and it looked amazing (just look at the pictures). A few hours into his set, Tijs Verwest really started getting into his set. I was amazed when he took the mic and announced that it was time for some classics. Almost immediately, he dropped the track "Lethal Industry" and everyone went completely wild. We can all discuss his new style, but according to me it doesn't come close to tracks like "Silence" and "Traffic".

To catch my breathe, I made my way over to the "Execute" area. House and Electro was mainly played in this area and it really occurred to me that the atmosphere in the "Execute" and "Connect" area was nowhere to be found. There were hardly any visual effects and were definitely not fully filled up with party goers. Even though the theme was called "The Network", I really didn't get the feeling that the 3 area's were connected.

My heart lies with Trance, I've been listening to Trance since I was 11. The last remaining hours of Energy were therefore completely for me so I went and ended the night in the "Connect" area where Simon Patterson and Kutski were playing. The camera had done its work well tonight so I felt it was about time to put my camera aside and start partying myself! Simon Patterson had already been playing for 30 minutes and created such a floaty atmosphere. Someone must have told him that I had come especially for him because shortly after he blasted "Photographer - Highway" through the speakers. The faithful Trance Family was present to make sure everything remained nice and floaty.

Time came for the last act of the night: Kutski. I knew we were in for some hard beats, but I've never experience this guy live. Stomping was an understatement because his set also contained some Early Hardstyle.

Energy was again an awesome event to be part of. It isn't because of the theme, but because of the pure quality of the DJ's and the music. ID&T has left Trance Energy behind, which I personally think is such a shame. It seems quite clear which route this event will be taking and the question then remains if future editions will still contain trance DJ's. We've seen the same thing happen to Sensation and Mysteryland. This doesn't have to be a negative thing, but you can fill in the question marks yourself and the events won't be seeing too much variety this way.
Energy remains a magical experience with loads of history and that will never change during the coming years.