Anyone Who Says Trance Is Dead Should Have Seen What I Saw at Dreamstate

Anyone who says trance is dead should have seen what I saw at the inaugural Dreamstate SF. Thousands of people crowded the floor, and the balconies were packed to the ceiling with every kind of raver you could have imagined—not to mention the fans that filled the lounges, hallways and inner sanctums of the Bill Graham Civic Auditorium. They were all living the dream.

During my time perusing the corridors, upper levels, and main floor of the event, all I saw were people dancing their hearts out in pure trance fashion. I met people from Utah, Vegas and Oregon, and more who made the long trek to the event, some of them who had made their way to California for the first time for the show.

They all had basically the same things to say: “One word: This was ‘incredible.’” “This is my first time exploring my trance side, and it’s going amazingly.” “I love the Oregon scene, but I gotta say, this might have it beat.” “They had every kind of trance I could have hoped for—even psych! It was great to see so much represented.” “I’m so happy to see a full-on trance event like this.” “Trance never disappoints.”

I even ran into a guy dressed perfectly as Jesus. What did Jesus Kandi Christ have to say? Well, he’s been blessing the crowds of Insomniac events for a while now and even his holiness had to admit it was an awesome event.

I couldn’t agree more.

People were waving around lightsabers and totems, including a rocket ship, “Trance Family” framed in a heart, “Trance and Chill,” and perhaps most appropriately, “Trance Is Life.”

You could feel the good vibes emanating as hard as the rhythms blasting from the speakers.

For all of you who missed the show, eat your heart out—but remember there are always more to come. If this massive can tell us anything, it’s that the dream is still alive when it comes to trance.