Clubbing Magazine

The Roskilde Festival 2004 diary
Finally we have the diary online with a huge delay – sorry about that.
The Roskilde Festival 2004 was a muddy deal – rain has been poring down since the beginning of the week - but the spirit of the festival goers was high and they took in with joy the broad spectrum of musical experience that was offered. The Roskilde Festival was hit hard by cancellations, their main attraction David Bowie was the first to cancel and the Metropol stage was hit by two major cancellations when Syntax and LFO cancelled their appearance. Syntax was replaced by Fluke DJs and LFO by Plaid.
Thursday 1st of July
After been checked in at the new media check in building that is placed on the other side of the freeway that runs behind the Orange Stage, we found our way though the rain and mud into the Media village and then over to the Metropol Stage where Gezza was on stage. The inside of the Metropol Stage has evolved enormously from last year, a big LED screen in the middle of the stage right behind the act was showing graphics, combined with live video feeds and text – a true club environment was accomplished with lights effects and all. The resident DJ Nicka and the announcer PG Jesper once more were guiding the audience through the vast musical program. The evening and night program consisted of the two UK bands Scratch Perverts and Audio Bullys. Photo on the right: Infusion phones home in the Media village
	Friday 2nd of July
	The rain was holding back and the Metropol Stage presented Japanese finest; DJ Krush and the band Numb followed by the Danish outfit Blue Foundation. The Norwegian group Bermuda Triangle opened the evening program and was a perfect transition to the night time party that was been turned on by Fluke DJs that played a combination of Fluke´s own tracks mixed with other tracks in one big mix. For me the highlight was when they played their monster hit “Another Kind Of Blue” also known from The Matrix Reloaded soundtrack under the title “Zion”. The night was concluded by the Australian band Infusion that blew the roof off the Metropol Stage with their hard hitting progressive house music tracks – no doubt in my mind they have what I’m missing in Underworld right now – for me the highlight of Roskilde Festival (Calvin’s opinion). Photo on the left: Fluke DJs backstage
Saturday 3rd of July
The Orange stage became black in the night. Black of people waiting for the two biggest dance names on this year Roskilde Festival. Bassment Jaxx & Fatboy Slim, both from the best scene in Big Britain. With a beautiful opening, Bassment Jaxx started their live set with dancers, fire and known tracks. There wasn’t time to relax. All the people went totally crazy in the mud! This was music that everybody on the festival could join. Happiness over the Orange stage, with singers, special guests and a mix of House music, African, Latin and oriental inspired music. It went totally crazy when they played a beautiful mix of “Plug It In” and “Where’s Your Head At”. They did it excellent well. One-hour break - totally bad. People were still dancing but they needed loud sounds. Then Fatboy Slim came on. A small intro, and then there was music in the air. But the sound was so low that you could hear your own breathing! He didn’t really play his own tracks, most of the people came to hear his music, and after 20 minutes it was only half the crowd that where standing at the Orange stage! He did a funny one-man show and played very different tracks. I expected more from Fatboy Slim, not just a DJ set. Hi is very good but I hope he can do it better (Alexander’s opinion). At the same time Karl Bartos was doing his Kraftwerk show at the Metropol Stage. Photo on the right: Metropol Stage at night
	Sunday 4th of July
	Zero 7 were playing live at the Metropol stage. Lovely sound quite many chilled people and a good atmosphere. Nothing bad about Zero 7, they are working very professionally. But the audience didn’t really feed in to the music - I think their music sounds and feels better in right surroundings. The Danish singer Tina Dicow that also had a gig on the Roskilde festival sang on the track “Home”. A good concert that ended my festival after 5 days in the mud and a lot of people. Let’s hope that the weather will be better next year. Photo on the left: Metropol Stage cooking
Over the 4 days at Ovalen a broad range of DJs had fun giving the audience a much deserved break from the rain with chill out music. That’s it for us this time – hope to see you next year. Words by: Alexander Descroix & Christian Almind Photos by: Christian Almind