I’m slowly cultivating in the various electronic music scenes having moved to the West coast just a few months ago. Born and raised in the Midwest, we were blessed with a single choice for the New Year celebration. It was difficult for me to narrow down how I’d ring in the New Year with the saturation of events and parties in Los Angeles. With just a few days away and only knowing what the event flyer looked like, I promptly decided on Fresh NYE 2016. Admittedly, my appetite for trance caved when I saw John Askew‘s name on the lineup. I honestly hadn’t heard of most of the other artists but I was looking forward to discovering what they’d bring to the table.
Summary of Fresh NYE 2016
I arrived a few hours late. Parking was a breeze and security was super lax. I followed the sound of trance music into one of three areas of the event. The building was a lot smaller than I anticipiated but thankfully not overly crowded. There was a very traditional raver ambience and most of the attendees looked to be barely legal. I definitely began to regret simply wearing a t-shirt and jeans because I stuck out like a sore thumb in the sea of neon glowing bodies.
The trance area, which is where I intended to be most of the night, was notably cramped and the production was candidly overlooked. Maybe that’s just my recent Dreamstate-coddled self speaking, but regardless, the music and energy of the place was excellent. I walked in right as Driftmoon finished his two hour set with hit tracks like “Shelter” and “Satellite”. Not the most unique set in the world, but it got the party started.
I decided to check out the other areas in the meantime. Ironically, the hardstyle stage was on the top floor despite the hundreds of shuffling and jumping bodies that shook the level. The energy was so intense during drops in the music that it felt as if the floor was going to collapse. This area had the best production and sound system at the event. The strobe lights matched the boisterous bass lines and the back projectors displayed psychedelic visuals. Lady Faith took the stage and the audience went wild. Though I personally wasn’t a huge fan of the music, this is where I discovered that hardstyle fans are passionate like no other. That definitely brought light to an entirely unique side of the EDM community.
The third and final area was the drum and bass room which was the smallest production of the three. Dj Clutch was currently on deck while MC Werd and J-Tech spit rhymes throughout the set. I headed back to the trance area to check out Magnus who kept the momentum going with a steady psy set. Right outside the stage was a patio and balcony with heated lamps which kept everyone cozy during smoke breaks. There was also a small tent set up nearby for items such as glowing necklaces, kandi, and other neon rave essentials.
Finally, the moment we’ve all been waiting for. Ten minutes until the clock strikes midnight. John Askew finally hit the decks with a full countdown to 12:00 by the second. When the clock hit midnight, staff held tall confetti poppers above the audience to blast at the right moment. The confetti poppers were a little cheesy and anti-climactic, but John Askew hit the decks to absolutely tear the place up. His set included some of his favored creations like “Plush” and “Cinnamon”, and of course his remix of Dj Tim’s “Access” which debatably builds one of the best drops of any track to date. Beyond the trance stage upstairs was a special surprise appearance by hardcore Dj AniMe.
Venue
Fresh NYE was held at the 2-star Seaport Marina Hotel in Long Beach, California. Much like the rating implies, the hotel is wistfully deteriorating and long overdue for an overhaul, but that only added to the laid-back and grimy party atmosphere.
The three stages, or “areas”, were held in conference rooms separated by long and spacious hallways. The hotel provided plenty of room for the crowd though there were not nearly enough bathrooms. Plenty of crevices in the halls provided areas to sit and rest from dancing or simply hang out with friends. The patio was a nice getaway for fresh air as well.
Line-up
Fresh packed a diverse and unique lineup of trance, hardstyle, hardcore, and drum and bass. Performances included Magnus, AudioFreq, Taxman, and much more.
Positives
- Unique and extraordinary lineup of less popular genres
- Tight-knit community and passionate fans
- Great party and old-school rave ambience
- Staff & security super lax and almost vacant
- Friendly PLUR crowd, albeit majority very young
- Hotel vending machines provided bottled water for half the cost of the bar
- Only $50 bucks for a line-up of 15+ and three stages/areas
Negatives
- Not enough bathrooms for the traffic of people – 20+ minute wait for the women’s restroom
- The sound system screeched during certain tracks to the point it was painful
- Anti-climactic “ball drop”
- Lacking production & visuals compared to competitors
Conclusion
Overall, If you’re looking for a budget friendly way to celebrate New Year with a very classic and gritty rave vibe, then Fresh NYE 2016 was the place to be. Do not expect a fancy presentation or champagne glasses at midnight. Rather, you’ll be surrounded by a friendly PLUR crowd and a lightheartedness that brings forth some of the best fundamentals of authentic electronic music culture.
