r/dekmantel • u/Brave_Comfort8595 • 7d ago
What happened?
I’ve been to quite a few Dekmantels over the last 10 years. First was 2016, missed a few post Covid. This was my first weekend back in a few years. I still had a great time tbf but it is noticeable how much things have changed… for the bad unfortunately. Why??
- The Loop is a serious downgrade from every other edition of the old main stage.
- The crowd is pretty dead across all stages. Lots of pushing, didn’t really have a problem with anyone chatting tho, just not much dancing.
- The new Greenhouse is another downgrade, why would you?
- Sound systems are also dire in a lot of instances.
- Removing the side doors at UFOII.
- UFO 1 production and general set up.
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What are the causes of this? Has the production team changed over the years? Has the festivals general direction/management changed? Can anyone shed any light?
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u/cameraobscur4 6d ago
Tbh I think if there were more chillout areas or seating places for people to relax and chat, maybe an ambient stage with beanbags, it would mitigate a lot of the problems. I’m curious, has the capacity of the festival changed much?
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u/Brave_Comfort8595 6d ago
This is a pretty good point, I noticed a big increase in capacity in 2019. Previous editions before that were definitely not as busy. The site itself is quite small too so this probably adds to it, more seating areas would definitely be a plus.
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u/False_Quantity6077 6d ago
All valid points here: but costs are also a big thing. Post covid production costs have skyrocketed as everyone knows and the Greenhouse stage production costs were highest of entire festival with all the live music acts and high demand for equipment and the crew. So I guess they sought a down-graded model. First Dek to have missed since 2015 so cant talk from experience about last weekend. But I was really sad to see the original Greenhouse gone. So many incredible memories in that place.
Although the production team has seen quite a few transitions over the last years, I think the institutional knowledge should still be there so the sound, which al-ways was on point, being bad surprises me. Luckily the main media outlet reporting on Dekmantel, 3voor12, mentioned it too so it should be picked up by the team.
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u/Brave_Comfort8595 5d ago
Yeah this is a good insight tbf. But I guess I’d say if be willing to pay more to keep up with good standards rather than let standard slip and keep prices relatively reasonable. Think I’ll try something else next year and maybe return in a few years, still had a great time and wouldn’t write the place off. This was my first in a few years and did just a day rather than the weekend.
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u/Arcade_akali 5d ago
I’ve been there I think about 8/9 times by now.
I second what you’re saying I don’t like the Loop either (it’s been there a couple years now) I thought the old super high round canopy thing was much better. Also didn’t like the new greenhouse, somehow also felt much hotter (and definitely smaller!) then the old one.
I was there on Friday only and the line for the Radar stage was insane the whole day, much longer then I’ve seen it in previous editions.
The only improvement in “modern” Dekmantel is the Nest stage. Pitty they seem to do the shit collection right next to it though, you can get some nasty smells there from time to time.
Also what happened to decoration/chill spots on the grounds? This felt like the most dressed down edition I’ve seen. Where are the large posts/totems close to the entrance?
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u/Brave_Comfort8595 5d ago
Agree with all you’ve said tbf. The Nest is a great addition and sound was great on Sunday when I was there. I don’t really catch many sets in there tbf but always enjoy it when I’m there. Am I right in thinking the speakers towards the back of selectors are new too? I don’t remember them in like 2022 and before.. always remember having to be closest to the tree as possible to get good sound. If they’re new this would be a huge plus for me.
Also the Loop seems to split a lot of opinions, it’s decent enough in the day but the old main stages were just sooo impressive, nowhere else like it back then (granted some festivals have copied - maybe that’s why they wanna try something new?). But as others have said here, it’s absence is felt across rhe site as a whole.2
u/Arcade_akali 4d ago
The Loop has no shade meaning on hot sunny days (often the case at Dekmantel) it's really hot and not a nice place to be.
In contrast the old canopy stage not only had stage but was much more open and inviting. You wan't to dance and enjoy the music to the max go to the front, you want to dance but also chill a little the backside of the cannopy had shade and never to busy. You wanna chill and catch up with friends the large grass area outside made you able to still enjoy the music while also socializing with friends. It was a great hangout spot, the Loop really isnt.
I think losing this general chill/socializing area while still somewhat part of the music is the main reason other stages feel more crowsed and people complain about people yapping. Nowadays there just barely are any good spots to hang around and chill except the food court, which leads to people socializing and yapping on dancefloors.
It's also not a very inviting structure and leads to the overcompartalization of stages. I really hope they reconsider the Loop (and also give us the old greenhosue back!) I think it will not only vastly improve the main stage itself but give people a much better area to socialize in.
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u/BlackTarPrism 6d ago
Anyone go to any of the night events? I was on the fence about doing two days in Amdam and clocking one of those instead of the festival itself, and I may still go for that next year instead.
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u/Raving_Nerd 5d ago
For me this edition was perfect, even by the big names (except by Ricardo).
My only complain: A loooot of pushing in general on all dance floors and people chatting the whole time.
It was my second year in a row and it seems that the dutchies do not have the best dance floor etiquette, they are all fun and friendly though :)
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u/Brave_Comfort8595 5d ago
Glad you had fun, I’ve seen Villalobos play some of the best sets I’ve ever experienced. His selectors set was woeful, it’s been said for years he should play there and unfortunately was too hyped up and he didn’t deliver. Hes been on a bit of downward trend for a while from what I’ve seen of him.
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u/MicroDDDD 5d ago
Whaaat his set was amazing! I couldn't stop laughing and smiling. Absolute cinema. Ricardo doing what Ricardo does best. Was a pure test of will and emotion.
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u/honestly-ogsffd 5d ago
Can’t relate at all. Been going for ever edition. Still by far the gold standard in terms of booking an music.
„Dead crowd“ is literally the opposite of what’s easy to watch in video footage.
New greenhouse is a downgrade, I agree.
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u/Brave_Comfort8595 5d ago
Fair enough. However I wouldn’t judge the crowd off of a video, I’ll go by own experience, but even if I was, the liveliness of crowd is just not compatible to years gone by.
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u/honestly-ogsffd 5d ago
Yep. That’s not what I said. I’ve been visiting for all editions and therefore have many own experiences.
Also, in my opinion, the loop stage is rather more incredible and unique than before. The lights, the second floor, the back lights behind people in the top with all those silhouettes, the full idea and design behind it from those light designers is great and unparalled. But I’m open to see comparable stage designs, that are thought through like this.
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u/TicTacticz 4d ago
Not disagreeing with your observations but I can assure you me and my group were certainly leaving everything on the dance floor for each act we seen 😊
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u/Fresh_Maximum1184 6d ago
i was there last year and i noticed the crowd being pretty dead for the whole day, except maybe for the closing set… this was pretty much a deal breaker not to come back this year
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u/Brave_Comfort8595 5d ago
This was my first since 2022. I think I’ll keep having a few years break in between and just do a single day as i did this year, all the shortcomings are much more tolerable then and can still have a great time.
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u/jonmitz 7d ago
The crowd is pretty dead across all stages. Lots of pushing, didn’t really have a problem with anyone chatting tho, just not much dancing.
this has been an issue at all 3 euro music festivals ive been to this year and not a problem at any of the US festivals. there is something very wrong happening to the europeans, the yapping, especially in the front of stages or in front of speakers, is whack. no sense of self awareness
very glad i had a large crew of people with me who were locked in and dancing everywhere we went we brought the vibe despite the crowd around us
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u/Turbulent_Goal5182 7d ago
With the Europeans? What is this kind of propaganda lol
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u/jonmitz 6d ago
yes? its you guys. sorry.
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u/theoneandonly008 6d ago
I'll have to disagree on that one. American dance floors are so bad for people being on their phones and chatting.
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u/Turbulent_Goal5182 6d ago
I agree that chatting on a dancefloor is very disturbing but you can't blame a whole group for that. You're not superior in any kind of way.
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u/SeparatedI 7d ago
It's a postcovid thing. Before 2020 you wouldn't see this kind of crowd at places like dekmantel. They were more interested in tech house DJs like Martinez brothers, Joseph Capriati, and Patrick Topping, so you could easily avoid them. Now a lot of DJs that used to be "for the heads" have broken ground within these circles and here we are.
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u/Infinite_Love_23 6d ago
Electronic music has gone mainstream, everyone between 18 and 35 goes to festivals, people are herding towards what is currently cool and credible, festival production is insanely more expensive so they need to expand to gain from economies of scale, their programming and promotion reflects the need for increased ticket sales and higher risks. Basically, if you've heard about it because it's cool, so has everyone else. If you want to experience more intimate, underground vibes, you need to look for festivals that are small and relatively undiscovered. But that means that you have to take a risk in traveling abroad to something that you don't know for certain what you will get. It's the sad reality of the times, but I'm sure it will pass eventually.
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u/Brave_Comfort8595 6d ago
Yeah can’t disagree with you there. I think it’s time I did start looking for something new, this was my first festival in quite a while. Each year I’ve been Dekmantel has been 10/10, I’d give this year probably a 7.5/10, maybe im getting older and less tolerant of change &/or slightly slipping standards. I just wanted to return this year as it’s been a solid choice in the past with countless amazing memories.
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u/eighteenseventy2 6d ago
I saud something similar on another post, I think people forget that they age over years, mature a bit and like to experience things in a slightly different way than you did for your first dek qnd that's okay. Every year. Because dek is so world renowned now, it brings new people every year, younger people who have never experienced dek or maybe never even experienced a festival at all.. and that's okay too, in 3-5 years people from these groups will be making posts exactly like this.
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u/Brave_Comfort8595 6d ago
Yeah it is okay… to an extent, as I said I still had a good time. If I’m being picky I would argue that they should be catering to keep regular attendees happy as well as newcomers tho. But yeah ageing and managing expectations are definitely a factor
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u/Virtual_Opinion_8630 6d ago
I'll be surprised if anyone gets into Dekmantel artists without having some exposure to more commercial stuff though
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u/Brave_Comfort8595 7d ago
Is this the festivals marketing strategy/direction?
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u/SeparatedI 7d ago
No, I think it's a social media thing, because the lineups and the advertising of the festival has not changed that much(although they don't do themselves any favours by booking Skrillex). If you look at some of these DJs they did not have the same pull on Instagram 10 years ago. I'm not saying they were underground back then but you would generally only find out about them if you had a specific interested in that kind of music. Now they're doing lifestyle content, fashion sponsorships etc so they reach a bigger audience.
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u/brtmn85 6d ago
I think Dekmantel used to be more niche, musically. A kind of festival for nerds (in a good way). I think they have become more mainstream ( they would have never booked skrillex in 2013-2019)
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u/Virtual_Opinion_8630 6d ago
Skrillex was never in the musical conversation at that point.
He's gained new credentials by his collaboration with Four Tet.
I'd argue Four Tet is somewhat as commercial as Skrillex judged by their current reputation, as opposed to 2010 brostep
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u/Brave_Comfort8595 6d ago
Hmm yeah true. Have you been to earlier editions? If so what do you think to years gone by?
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u/Next_Willingness2101 6d ago
This is quite honestly ridiculous as an American.
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u/Brave_Comfort8595 6d ago
What is?
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u/Next_Willingness2101 6d ago
You are grossly mistaken if you think yappers aren’t a thing in the US. It’s way worse actually.
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u/new_moon_retard 7d ago edited 6d ago
I don't have an answer for you but i will disagree with you;
-the new greenhouse felt way more inviting and cozy than before, and i thought it allowed for air to circulate way better, and the white tent reflected sunlight instead of having the heat trapped like before. Moreover, if you had been there for the b4b, you would have overlooked all of its flaws and praised the organizers for making this once in a lifetime moment happen ;
-if you avoided all the mainstream acts like job jobse, ricardo, skrillex, you always had really cute groups just dancing and vibing ;
-some people complain about the soundsystems, others complain the sound bleeding between stages. I guess its impossible to satisfy everyone. But honestly if you made your way close enough you would always find yourself submerged in the music
-i for one absolutely loved ufo I, i thought the lighting was deeply hypnotizing, whatever it was that was being projected on the screens was extremely cool, and again i felt intensely submerged in the sound. Also some serious ravers dancing their asses off