Template:Czech Republic 2009
From Psychedelic-Traveller
[2009] New and different experiences in the CZECH REPUBLIC
The convenient position in the heart of European continent makes Czech Republic perfect destination for all psy-travellers. However, in the world of trance music our country has never played so important role – and let's be honest, trancers from abroad often do not know much about what is exactly going on here. So, how is the trance scene in the Czech Republic nowadays?
These lines are being written during cold, dark winter days when the only choice for trance music lovers is to go out partying to clubs. The most popular venue for this kind of music is undoubtedly Prague's Cross Club, undergroud yet very stylish place with amazing decos and crazy installations. The regular events include Wednesdays' free-entrance Biocross parties as well as Labyrinth of Mind, L'Oxy Cross and Sharp Blaze on weekends. Once per three months you can hear some international psytrance act in Roxy, the biggest club for electronic music in Prague, and often you can also visit small psy events at Styx club. If you happen to be in the area of Ostrava, you might want to check out some of the full-on parties made by Planet Blue or Surface Tension. In the North of the country (Usti n/Labem) Batha DJs are also running several regular club events.
The peak of the year is, however, when the open air season finally starts. The traditional opening is party organized by HedoniX crew on Valpurgia's night (April 30th), always followed in May by legendary festival organized by VJ PerpleX and his friends – the name is being changed every year but you can count with the fact that letters BIO will be part of it in any case. Another popular events with international guests are Mystical Ritual (June) and Mysticky Les (August) produced by Mystical Waves crew. Last but not least after one year break Taranis festival is back this July with Atmos live as a headliner. Some things have all the above mentioned events in common – cheap entrance fees (usually 10-25 EUR), fair prices on bar (beer usually does not cost more than 1 EUR!) and most importantly very cozy, family-like atmosphere (300-600 visitors in average).
Besides variety of DJs, VJs and party promoters there are also several artists focused on music production. On the darker, harder side of the psytrance music spectrum is to be found Gappeq, who has recently released his debut album on Wirikuta Recordings, as well as Fractal, promising talent from the city of Ostrava. The most acclaimed progressive oriented producers are Roman Rai and Nipp, focusing mainly on melodic, clubby sounds. Czech Republic is also a home for a few internationally well-known record labels – progressive imprint Tribal Vision Records, minimal/tech-house oriented Beef Records and morning full-on label Oxygen Records.
In general Czech Republic could be easily recommended for those psy-travellers who are not really looking just for fat line-ups and huge crowds, but prefere to try out some new and different experience. Cheap prices, liberal attitude towards soft drugs and friendly people might be only some of the reasons why to give a shot to some of the local events.
