Will the music be playing? will the kids be swaying?

Paultergeist · Post by **Paultergeist** » Mon Jan 09, 2006 6:22 am

as a novice to the Burn, not having yet even attended, I'd like to find out about the musical side of things. I mean, the website is very good at showing all there is to see but not so much is mentioned about what there is to hear. surely, the Burn is not a caucophony of people going 'wow!' all the time...

what kind of music can i expect to find? are there any stages? music tents?

your input would be greatly appreciated

sputnik · Post by **sputnik** » Mon Jan 09, 2006 6:47 am

You'll find a lot of drum and bass, a lot of techno, drum circles, new age, etc. You'll find some old school disco at the Black Rock Roller Disco. You won't find much classic rock or heavy metal.

Some camps setup stages, like Pangea did last year. There are a lot of big domes and such that are nothing but dancing all night long.

Paultergeist · Post by **Paultergeist** » Mon Jan 09, 2006 11:03 pm

cool,

thanks Sputnik.

I go to loads of ferstivals here in the u.k. and they're mainly focussed on music and bands' performances. this year i wanted to do something different and i'm guessing you can't get much more different than the burning man but nevertheless, i still like to have a bit of a boogie at night, so domes, techno and other forms of debauchery with a beat sounds perfect for me.

HughMungus · Post by **HughMungus** » Tue Jan 10, 2006 12:06 am

You'll find all kinds of music...you just have to find it and it's not always obvious. When the theme camp list comes out you might look at it to see if someone is playing what you like.

Paultergeist · Post by **Paultergeist** » Tue Jan 10, 2006 12:24 am

excellent,

meandering around a desert in search of bleeps and tweets at random is quite appetising, i'd hate it if it was regimented.

HughMungus · Post by **HughMungus** » Tue Jan 10, 2006 1:48 am

Paultergeist wrote:excellent,

meandering around a desert in search of bleeps and tweets at random is quite appetising, i'd hate it if it was regimented.

The wandering around part is half the fun. It's not like you'll be going from one isolated point in the desert to another -- there will be lots to see and do along the way. The hard part will be finding the place you liked the next day...so write down the nearest cross street on the back of your hand, pants, forehead, whatever...oh and the name of the camp if it has a name. Also, if you find music you like, be sure to at least thank the people running the camp, introduce yourselves, maybe make a new friend. Similar music interests are one of the best ways to find people you might want to be friends with. I have more unsolicited advice in my book, "How to Enjoy Burning Man". It's on Amazon.

blyslv · Post by **blyslv** » Tue Jan 10, 2006 10:43 am

Figuring out what to consume is easy. The hard part is figuring out what to produce.

DancesWithElves · Post by **DancesWithElves** » Tue Jan 10, 2006 2:26 pm

Hey, Paultergeist!

Your question is one of the reasons I've created Playa Tunes - as a music nut, this is my little labor of love throughout the year. I'm gradually building a diverse sampling of *some* of the types of music you'll hear at Burning Man. Hope it helps to give you a bit more idea of what you might hear!

Paultergeist · Post by **Paultergeist** » Tue Jan 10, 2006 11:55 pm

looks and sounds great, Danceswithelves!

just the thing i needed to push me closer and closer to finally getting my arse over there. loving the D:Fuse Night Desert Burn!

so, am i correct in thinking that most of the music comes from camps set up by independent burners and that there aren't any 'official' performances on a big massive stage somewhere right in the middle of everything?

not that i mind, in fact, i kinda prefer it that way, more diversity and more to explore...

Paultergeist · Post by **Paultergeist** » Wed Jan 11, 2006 12:00 am

hmmmm, i was wondering, if i were to bring my records along, would there be anywhere where i could play them? or would i have to lug my decks over there as well?

mind you, given my atrocious tune selection sometimes, perhaps it's best i leave the professionals to do their job...

Chai Guy · Post by **Chai Guy** » Wed Jan 11, 2006 12:10 am

so, am i correct in thinking that most of the music comes from camps set up by independent burners and that there aren't any 'official' performances on a big massive stage somewhere right in the middle of everything?

That is correct. There is a stage located in the Center Camp Cafe which is kind of, sort of an "official" stage, but random performers just sign up for the various slots. It's a lot of belly dancing and spoken word, playa fashion shows and bad poetry.

Other than that you'll see various stages set up through out the event. Most "Large Scale Sound Art" (i.e. bumpy-thumpy techno camps) are relegated to the ends of the city, that is 10 o'clock and 2 o'clock. You're more likely to hear acoustic and live performance music on the Esplanade or any of the inner streets.

Rarely are any kind of "schedules" kept or even posted for that matter. The "Who-What-Where-When" guide that you'll be given when you enter is a nice souvenier but you'll be very dissapointed if you try to actually use it as a guide. Everything is on "Playa Time" which means that a performance that is supposed to happen on Tuesday at 10:00pm might not happen until Thursday at 3:00 am. The notable exception usually being the Burning of the Man & Temple which tend to start relatively on time, give or take 2 or 3 hours.

Relax, go with the flow, and don't worry if you're in the right place or not. Sometimes it's frustrating to hear everyone's stories about the most amazing thing that just happened on the other end of the playa, and then running over to try to see it.

Remember, that wherever you are, and whatever you are doing is the most perfect thing for you at that time.

Paultergeist · Post by **Paultergeist** » Wed Jan 11, 2006 12:23 am

my favourite festivals are the ones where there are no schedules or 'must see' events, i much prefer meandering around and stopping here and there to observe and listen to things i like rather than frantically dashing to see this and that at any particular time.

I guess the good thing about dance music in general and festivals which embrace it is that it doesn't really matter who you see and when you see/hear them, as long as there's a good vibe then everybody's happy, you can always go somewhere else if you like.

btw, Happy Birthday to Albert Hoffman, 100 yrs old and still going strong!

Chai Guy · Post by **Chai Guy** » Wed Jan 11, 2006 12:48 am

It's also worth noting that Burning Man is NOT a music festival. While there certainly are many opportunites to listen/dance to music, a lot of it is pretty bad. In fact some of the worst music I've ever heard is played out there. It's not that I dislike electronic or any other type of music, in fact I enjoy most genres, is just that the prerequisite to playing music at BM is that you bring out your own equipment. The result is a lot of half assed bedroom djs that probably wouldn't be paid to spin at a Jr. High dance. For every Dj Spooky, Tiesto, or Paul Oakenfold there are 100 other people out there playing records who still haven't mastered the art of beat matching.

On the other hand, I don't think there's a better place to hear amazing music that would never get played in any other setting. Because there is no need to be "commercially viable" musical artists are allowed to color outside their conventional lines.

Once such example is a band that got it's start at Burning Man, The Mutaytor, check them out at http://www.mutaytor.com

My point is that music is just one small part of the event. [/url]

Paultergeist · Post by **Paultergeist** » Wed Jan 11, 2006 1:05 am

yeah, sure, i know what you mean about the music being a small part of it. I completely understand that, i was just wondering what, if any, setup there was for the music. the lack of any funded performances makes the performances a whole lot more organic and therefore diverse. sure, there must be loads of real crap being pumped out but at least you have the option of going somewhere else to do other stuff that doesn't involve standing in a tight crowd of thousands waiting for a band to play.

If BM was a music festival and not much else, i wouldn't go.

as for mutaytor, i've been listening to their stuff for quite a while, they're brilliant, very similar to what a lot of djs play here in Bristol.

Dakini* · Post by Dakini* » Wed Jan 11, 2006 2:36 am

Hi, any ideas of who I could contact to organise a gig at BM? Seasoned outdoor festival downbeat dj from Australia wanting to spin some tunes in da desert...

Profile - www.tribe.net/people/djdakini

Hope to hear from someone soon!

X Dakini

HughMungus · Post by **HughMungus** » Wed Jan 11, 2006 9:07 am

Dakini* wrote:Hi, any ideas of who I could contact to organise a gig at BM? Seasoned outdoor festival downbeat dj from Australia wanting to spin some tunes in da desert...

Profile - www.tribe.net/people/djdakini

Hope to hear from someone soon!

X Dakini

Contact any camp (via email, etc., before the event) that has a sound system and/or any camp that will be playing music similar to your style. They might let you guest DJ. In fact, many camps actually WANT people to come in and play with them. You might even be able to get a camp to let you play if you just walk-up and ask.

blyslv · Post by **blyslv** » Wed Jan 11, 2006 3:28 pm

This year there's a whole new system. You must contact the Central Scrutinizer.* (Actually a committee of people way cooler then you'll ever be). They will listen to what you propose to play and decide if it fits in with the Burningman Brand. They are getting a lot tighter about protecting their intellectual property.

Don't tell anyone, but the smart money says that if you help them take down their Christmas decorations, they automatically give you a thumbs up.

Imagine!

* The phrase "Central Scrutinizer" was not created by blyslv (who is a wholly owned subsidiary of the RAMJAC Corporation).

Just remember kids: Don't rip-off intellectual property!

Dakini* · Post by Dakini* » Sat Jan 14, 2006 6:48 pm

Gee you're awefully welcoming aren't you mate? :roll:

blyslv · Post by **blyslv** » Tue Jan 17, 2006 10:38 am

Well falling into a billabong doesn't do much to improve one's disposition.

Mate.

serra · Post by **serra** » Fri Jan 20, 2006 10:37 am

but...
as much wonderful music as there is - [b]bring ear plugs[/b].

i love music and i love to dance but i [i]don't[/i] like nnstt aasstt nnnsst asstt HOUSE nnsst ahhsst MUSIC nnnsst ahhstt (imagine generic house music) at 5am when i'm trying to sneak in a couple moments rest! we were lucky enough to be right around the corner from [b]bad house music camp[/b] last year and... yeesh.

although wandering around the esplanade during 4am sunrise - hearing this amazing mixture of every sound you could possibly imagine - a mingling of so many melodies that totally transforms every ten steps is pretty neat.

Rev. Harry Pants · Post by **Rev. Harry Pants** » Fri Feb 24, 2006 1:58 am

Music... Did you say music?

Black Rock City has perhaps the highest amount per capita of roving marching bands of any city on the planet. The one I'm involved with, Chicago-based Environmental Encroachment, put on some raging performances throughout the festival. We are also somewhat affiliated with the Burning Band, a NOLA-style "second-line" marching outfit based in Cali. The Extra Action Marching Band from NYC (ex-Crash Worship) are perennial faves. I've even been witness to a Gamelan Marching Band (SF-based, I think).

Environmental Encroachment became the energy center of last year's Billion Bunny March. We also helped out with the New Orleans Memorial Processional at the Temple, featuring Rev. Billy and Joan Baez. Expect us to contribute to BRC's unique culture yet again in '06.

http://www.encroach.net
http://www.myspace.com/eeenvironmentalencroachment

Ms Mutaytor · Post by **Ms Mutaytor** » Fri Feb 24, 2006 12:43 pm

Totally agree with Mr. Pants. Some of my favorite musical moments occur at around 3am....just before burmin/chill domes get full...and many folks are still too awake to sleep, so they gather around art pieces...around fires....on esplanade camps by couches. Instruments of all types and condition, just jammin.

One year I came upon a guy that reggaeraps like Matisyahu (not sure of the spellin) with 2 guitarists and one djembe player. They had only met that night but were completely insync with each other's musical style. I think I sat listeing for 1/2 hour then followed the giant beatbox art car until I came upon Spock Mtn Research's porch for an old fashioned jug band jam.

Many people will tell you it's all about techno, and there's plenty of that if it's what you like, but as you wander, you'll find all kinds of gems like this to enjoy.

xox

Layne · Post by **Layne** » Fri Feb 24, 2006 1:59 pm

We'll try to keep you rockin' through the daylight hours

Will the music be playing? will the kids be swaying?

Will the music be playing? will the kids be swaying?

Tooting my URL's horn...

Helll yes...

yes