Love Parade

[Drunk Monk]

Love Fest 10/4/8 Civic Center

I have been in this total mercury-in-retrograde zone. Now I don't hold much stake in astrology (never mind that I've been writing an astrology column for like half a decade now) but merc-n-retro, I heed. We were planning to go to the Symphony via BART but balked at the $9.90 round trip for three and decided to drive. Bad idea. When we got off the freeway, traffic was jammed and all the freaky people were on the streets. We figured out pretty quick that something was going down at Civic Center. We only get two tickets now - whichever of us wants to go goes. The symphony was Leonard Bernstein so neither of us was that attached, but I thought it'd be nice to hang in the Asian Art. Well, I never got there. The love fest was 28 sound systems packed into Civic Center - a free show with a suggested $10 donation (I threw them $5). Crazy packed scene. BoomChikBoomChikBoomChik overlayed with ChikBoomChikBoomChikBoom times 28. It was hard to pic a fav over the din. My favorite place was near to the middle, where it just sounded like the static from hell. Local Love was notable because it had a topless dancer for a spell, but the most writhing seemed to come from either Auralism/Kontrol, Temple Nightclub and Dubalicious. Om had a great set. The scene made me feel old when I noticed that the only other men my age were this group of about half a dozen guys, butt nekkid, standing conspicuously together for photo opt in front of City Hall.

We were thinking of going to Hardly Strictly after to catch Mickey Hart's set (I had a backstage invite, but it's really more back field I guess), but the Love Fest sonic pounding was too draining. We decided to go to Naan & Curry, got the corner window and watched the parade of love festers stroll by.

[Dr. Ivor Yeti]

Yup, it makes for an even more interesting city experience. Folsom Street Fair the weekend before, Love Parade last weekend...no wonder the Red States hate us.

[Drunk Monk]

was that you in the lavender luchador mask? it sure looked like you from behind. but it's been a long time since i've seen you yetiness nekkid. i'm just projecting the years of damage on those lily white snow buns. :butthead:

[Drunk Monk]

Apparently last year, the Love Fest got too big for S.F. and had to be shut down. So this year, it was moved to the South Parking Lot of Oracle. Excuse me?! A parade that used to go down Market St and coagulate at Civic Center to Oracle's parking lot? This sounds like as severe of a transplant as earthdance. Obviously nothing beats a Market St. parade, but this was still amusing in its own deafening way.

THIS WAS THE LOUDEST EVENT I HAVE EVER BEEN AT

EVER

There were 16 soundsystems, two stationary stages, a football field of sod laid out for a chill zone, and thousands of people. They were estimating 30K - honestly, I couldn't get a read on how many were there because it was just massive. The parade circled the parking lot, which was really surreal, then settled with the biggest baddest one - Skills EPR - flanked by the second two runners up, Jet Set Music & Go Ventures, opposite the main stage and in front of the chill zone (with another 'mellower' soundsystem, Supperclub, for the lawn). There were thousands of scantily clad dancers who remained undaunted by the turn in the weather, which got cold and blustery. It was insane. There were only about 30 of us at RM, mostly newbies and only a few of us knew what to expect - the rest were just dumbstruck, truly so because even with earplugs, my tinnitus will ring for daze to come. It was so loud you had to scream to talk. Cell phones were useless because you couldn't get your volume high enough. Text only. I had a radio w/out a pick mike, so I had to hold it in my hand and feel for it vibrating to know there was radio traffic, then put it to my ear at full vol to hear it.

This show went to 11. Spinal Tap 11.

[Drunk Monk]

...I was eager to get home and sleep in my own bed, but right in front of Oracle on 880 on my way home, traffic stopped. It stopped for about 30 minutes. The lovEvolution afterparty had just let out and caused a big traffic accident. It sucks being at a stand still after this crazy 36+ hour run at freaking 2:30 AM on 880. I texted back to earthdance, just because I knew they were still awake and could sympathize with my woes. Got home well after 3 and was completely passed out by 4:20 AM.

[Greg_phpbb3_import1]

Odd juxtaposition. Are we all aware that Oracle headquarters is on the site of Marineworld USA?