Two Nights in August

There are very few times in a raver’s life when they are able to see just how far the scene they belong to has truly come. To see the progress made for the culture.

That’s how I feel when I think of two nights coming up in August, and I’m happy to be the one who gets to look back at how long it’s taken to get to them.

Each show represents a real moment not just for this city, but for the many house music lovers that have contributed to it for so long. All the years, and the shows, and the nights spent on the dancefloor all helped build towards moments like this, where we can see how much has really changed. That’s what’s about to happen on the Effex rooftop next month.

First, on August 5th, from Chicago, Illinois comes one of the best House Music DJ’s in the entire world. The one and only Gene Farris.

His history as both a DJ and a producer are just as impressive as how he actually sounds in person. The ultimate test of a true DJ is how they sound that first time, which for me and Gene was a moment I don’t think I will ever forget.

The only time I saw Gene Farris was last year in his hometown of Chicago at Arc Music Festival. It was the first time the festival was being held and it was filled with a long list of DJ’s from around the world matched with legends from Chicago itself.

It was an epic weekend in many ways that overwhelmed me more than perhaps I can ever explain, and yet a clear moment I remember so well, was being at the Elrow stage, which was under a giant metal canopy and decorated with psychedelic decorations everywhere.

The DJ set up itself was designed to look like it was along the side of a VW van from the sixties, and if you’ve ever heard of an Elrow show you know it comes with props, performers, and of course, world class DJ’s who fit the sound.

It was some time on the second day, I think, when I was dancing to myself, and I heard the voice of Gene himself welcoming us to Chicago, and saying how proud he was to be there. From there the confetti began to fall from the ceiling and you could hardly even see the person standing next to you. Then he played this.

It was an amazing moment on the dancefloor made perfect by the music of Gene Farris in the city that he made it in. I couldn’t believe it was happening, and yet I’m so happy to know that a small part of that will be here in Albuquerque for all my friends to hear for themselves.

Gene Farris is one of the best House DJ’s in the world and getting him to stop by for just one night is something I cannot support more. Of all the DJ’s who are coming to this city this year, this may very well the best one. Please go and support Chicago as this time, it’s coming to you.

The second night in August that I am excited for happens on August 12th, as one of my favorite DJ’s in the world is somehow magically coming to New Mexico to play under the desert sky just for us.

Carlo Lio is one of those DJ’s who needs no real introduction. Originally from Toronto, he has taken his unique Dirty Disco sound all around the world, and with every step of the way he appears to just be getting better.

I have seen Carlo Lio live twice, with the first time being at the now closed Denver nightclub forever known as Beta.

It was the day after we had seen a DJ from Germany named Chris Liebing, play Techno in this old Dental Supply Warehouse for like five hours without mercy.

The look on the DJ’s face as he unleashed a soundwave of power is something that I have never forgotten, and we were still left recovering well into the next day.

Combine that with the fact that we woke up to a Giant Snow storm, and our plans to leave that very morning were quickly changed. I can still recall the conversation we had over continental breakfast about whether we should stay or not.

Our friends who had originally wanted to leave were now considering staying since I had reminded them that I had already reserved us tickets for proper Sunday in the lounge, with Carlo Lio himself playing for nearly four hours on the always legendary soundsystem you’d only hear at Beta.

It was an amazing night of music up on the second floor of that club that I will never forget, and not just because I loved the DJ and the music he was playing, but it was also the one and only chance I’d get to spend time with this exact group of people.

Raving as an adult is different than when you were younger. You get maybe one chance to have fun together, and for that reason, you go for it. No matter the cost, or the distance, or the inconvenience it causes back home, we may never have this moment again. That’s what that night listening to Carlo Lio will always remind me of, and I feel that same idea applies when he plays the rooftop next month.

I don’t know when Carlo Lio is gonna come back to New Mexico, and I don’t know when I’ll see him again, just like I don’t know who will be there when I see him. Things change. Life changes. We change, but the music somehow remains the same, and for that, I feel it should be celebrated once again.

If there was any DJ in any city I’d want you to see, it might possibly be Carlo Lio, and for one night only he’s coming to us, here in New Mexico. Please go and show some love to a great DJ and a great moment made possible, again by Mr. Afterhours Presents.

I’m grateful that this night is happening, and along with Gene Farris playing the week before, what we are being given is two nights in August that we may never forget.

Please go early to both shows. Opening for Farris are two New Mexico legends in DJ Eldon and Reverend Mitton, with the Rev opening the night with a very special tribute set to the late great DJ OHM. A New Mexico favorite who was set to originally play the show himself, but passed away, and will be missed immensely both on August 5th, and also looking forward.

Playing alongside Carlo Lio are two other solid New Mexico DJ’s that are sure to welcome him here properly in Polyglot and Vettaluv.

Also, remember for both shows there are no presales, and the only way to get in is actually getting in, so please, go early, stay late, and enjoy this one.

There aren’t very many shows that give me that itch to return to the New Mexico dancefloor again, but I must admit I feel it now more than ever with these two nights coming up next month. I’m happy they are happening, and I’m happy for this culture, but most of all, I’m happy for the moments we are still meant to have, together.

Have fun at these two, and if you happen to look over, and see a short, blue haired freak with a heart on his face, dancing with delight, let him be. It took a long time to get back to this one.

See you on the dancefloor.