First published January 2004 & retrieved from archive.org
VodaWorld – Saturday, 6 December 2003
German-born Euro-Trance über-DJ Paul van Dyk played Cape Town on Friday night, and Johannesburg on Saturday night. Whilst my current taste in music is a little deeper than Paul’s trademark Euro-Trance sound, I would not consider missing this living legend in concert…
I have seen Paul play twice before. The last performance in 2002 saw him playing a harder, faster, more techno sounding set along the lines of the “Columbia EP” release(2001) with tracks like “Movement”. A quick listen to his new album, Reflections, and it is clear that he has not moved on from that sound, but has rather moved back to his original, more melodic style. Think “Another Way” (1999) and “Tell Me Why” (2000).
The evening started off with quick easy parking at the VodaWorld venue (admittedly in the VIP area), and no queues to get inside. I have not been to many concerts up North, but the venue is spacious with easy access to bars and toilets. Anyone who lived through the shocking concert experience last time at Culemborg will appreciate my relief. The first warm-up DJ played a great set – funky house style that kinda let you relax – knowing full well that things would be sufficiently cranked up later! The second DJ moved slowly to a more trancy sound – great music choice, but uninspired mixing. No-one was able to tell me who either of them were. Paul came on at 1am and played 3 joyful hours of drifting trance – aaah: memories……
I recognised very few of the tracks – a stark contrast to my last outing to the DJ Gregory concert gig where I got to hear the tracks I hear (twice) daily on Y-FM/Metro. In fact I was only really familiar with the tracks off Reflections, as well as one or two of his old classics, naturally including the definitive Euro-Trance anthem “For an Angel”. He signed off with an emotional vocal mix of “Time of Our Lives” and acknowledged an awed and appreciative crowd in his usual, understated manner.
4am – the end of Paul’s set – the start of Speedy/Surge’s set (don’t know/don’t care/can we not rid the SA music scene of these guys and get some fresh blood in?) and it was time to brave the rain and go home.
First published 3 January 2004. Retrieved from Paul van Dyk – Reflections Tour | stylus (archive.org)