TuneLab
Awakenings ADE 2018
Adam Beyer
Adam Beyer at an Awakenings ADE 2018 marathon? We know the drill: a locked groove, a sea of black t-shirts, and unwavering faith in the 4/4 kick. The venue is packed, a cathedral of techno where light comes only from the rig and cigarette lighters during breakdowns. This is a masterclass in sustained, driving techno, holding a steady 128.9 BPM with minimal deviation. The harmonic journey is anchored in 12A, with forays into 3B and 7A providing necessary tonal shifts to avoid monotony.
Energy is beautifully balanced, with a strong, propulsive low-end (51% avg) supporting intricate mid-range percussion and atmospheric pads. Beyer's mixing is surgical and patient, letting tracks breathe and evolve before seamless introductions. Morphlab's 'Space Buffet' sets a cosmic, bubbling tone right from the open. Maae's 'Descartes' is a timeless loop-based groover that defines the Berlin-afterhours sound.
Pablo Say's 'Crescendo' builds tension with expert precision, while the inclusion of Antoine Clamaran's 'Do the Funk' dub is a delightful French touch curveball. Chris Drifter's 'Flashback' remix and Philipp Neubert's 'Early in the Morning' are textbook melodic, driving techno. It begins with the astral grooves of 'Space Buffet', weaves through hour upon hour of peak-time weaponry, and finds serene conclusion in the timeless synth work of Alex Dolby's 'Sintesi'.