Category: videos

Hullabaloo’s Rush Hour in 1998 was when Hullabaloo officially became a rave juggernaut. It was the 8th Hullabaloo, and everything that had come before was distilled into 1 perfect rave. Logistical issues with crowds were handled by it being the first Hulla that sold all tickets in advance and none sold at the door (first of many sold out events). It was the first time we re-used a venue, which let us build on what we learned the first time. The fan base was growing more and more, “Hulla Ravers” were more defined. I consider Rush Hour the first perfect rave we had, with more to come.

I also reflect on how young I was then, and what I had built at such a young age. It’s pretty humbling to look back on.

I’m also reminded how “new” everything we were doing was. New types of events, new type of music, new experience. We weren’t recreating “disco” from 20 years prior. This was a brave new world.

Here is some live video from my set that night:

This is a capture from VHS of my historic set at Hullabaloo! Big Top, February 1999. Over 5000 ravers packed a sold out International Centre just outside Toronto, Canada. This was a kick off of the rave era’s “Summer of Love”, the arguable peak of the rave scene in 1999.

Something about the quality (from VHS), the washed out colors, makes it seem just as much the dream as what is in my head.

The entire audio recording of this set is available by clicking this link.

I just pulled out a tape from a box in my garage and posted it on Youtube. It was shot at the 2002 edition of the World Electronic Music Festival. It really captures the energy and magic of my sets of that time, but this recording is even more special because it captured when I proposed to Robin on stage in front of everyone. I remember someone telling me they thought the tent was going to explode from all the PLUR.

It’s special now to reflect on this. Until now, this only existed in the memories of everyone there. I’m glad I have the tape to share now.