News	Access Points	Countries	Contact
Profile	Info for Shops	Crew	Newsletter
Preview	Spread the Word	PDF Guide

-> Get the Guide now !

Tasting Mainstream Trance in BRAZIL

I guess now it’s official. Brazil has become one of the biggest trance scenes in the world for both public and artists. Although labels can’t count on that - because MP3 traders are very common – party crews are making big money bringing big names for a huge and happy crowd.

About a decade after arriving in Brazil, trance seems to reach its biggest audience ever. In 2005 some parties had over 20 thousand people dancing to the sound of various artists ranging from prog-house to dark fullon. Line ups became so varied that some people go to the rave after 2pm just to listen to their favorite progressive djs or producers. Of course fullon still very popular, especially among newcomers, that every weekend can have a blast dancing to easy-listening pop hits turned into trance for the crowd’s pleasure.

It´s said trance came to Brazil in the mid 90’s, when some tranceheads from Europe landed in Trancoso, a hippie chic village on southern Bahia. The 1st parties lasted some days by the beach. Amazed and encouraged by this new culture, Brazilians started to spread it. São Paulo and Goiás were the 1st places “infected” by trance fever. But parties that went on for days and hypnotic music weren’t popular initially. So they were small, artists not so famous and prices low. Instead of counting on money, producers would dance with the public, just glad to make it happen.

Now, almost 15 years later, our biggest crew celebrates its 10th birthday with 10 special editions of the famous party XXXperience around Brazil. Once said to be the most commercial crew, “No Limits” format is now a goal for others. Working with partners based in different areas, they can throw 2 to 3 parties on the same day in different cities. Also, they have a label and book artists. Following this path is “It’s Magic” (producers of Tribe, Solaris and Carambola parties) with bombastic line ups. But others around the country are growing too (Psyde/Kaballah, TranceMovement and TranceFormation) and new crews show up everyday, but not many succeed.

While big stars come from abroad, national talents become popular too. Some playing with their crews (Dahan, Du Serena, Feio, Livia, Rica Amaral, Sam Miura, Swarup) get national exposition mixing powerful sets and fresh music. Others, thru their own merits, overcame the not so friendly environment and got known as great djs (Gabe, JP, Lipe Forbes, Mack, Marcelo VOR, Noronha, Matera, Tati) and producers (Audio X, Burn´n Noise, Oxyd, Propulse, Skulptor, The 1st Stone, Vibra, Wrecked Machines). The good promises lately are: Flow and Zeo (djs) and projects like Cosmonet, Dizzy Mind, Glocal, Hyperception, Lifestyle, Mad Hatters. Also there are great chill out projects like Pedra Branca and Cine Mad in Chaos.

Unfortunately in the 1st semester of 2005 some bad media coverage and liberty not well used caused some legal problems. Especially in Sao Paulo (but not only) some parties got canceled, a few were arrested, and certain items (like food!) were prohibited to enter the party. But afterwards, things got back to normal.

With increasing of popularity, security and infrastructure costs went high, so did tickets, bar and parking prices. But the public doesn’t care; buses com from far to São Paulo for the biggest events of the year: XXXperience and Tribe birthday editions. Each party line up is so phenomenal that can overtake the entire line up of a small festival.

Also remarkable in Nov/05 was “Goa Gil” tour in 3 capitals. After coming in 2003 not many thought he’d be back soon. For our joy he returned, but ironically many of the purists didn’t go. They say trance is not good anymore, so they migrated to other styles, like progressive house. But Goa Gil’s party brought new hopes to the remaining ones and showed the newcomers the idea of a ritual party.

To finish 2005, New Year at Universo Paralello once more was superb. Surrounded by coconut trees about 6.000 lucky ones were amazed by the best structure seen in a festival, along with a huge line up with great djs or producers for every taste. And for the unsatisfied ones, there was the beach and the view to forget about any bad mood ;-)

Facts

Because of the country’s size, expect different scene stages, ranging from zero to very popular. Get all your info with locals or thru the net. In a flash, what to expect, and where to be in some areas:

São Paulo: big city, crowds, high prices, best line ups. But you need a car or rides anywhere. Try big parties or PVTs. Indoors, visit Anzú, D-edge or Klatu (specific days, check 1st). Solaris Festival (Carnival).

Rio: good public transportation, lots of tourist. Gorgeous views anywhere. Try PVTs, on nice venues outside the city. Avoid indoor parties, but go for Level Club nights with prog or house music.

Belo Horizonte: consistent scene, small and big parties around town. Great venues with waterfalls or mountains. Public loves dark music. Festivals: Samsara or Cachoeira Alta.

South: a group of 3 states, where trance is becoming a hit. In Paraná parties are big, in Rio Grande do Sul still small. In Santa Catarina find lots of scattered parties.

Central: Trance in Goiás and Brasilia is traditional. Great festivals of the “cerrado” are Tranceformation (Carnival) and Trancendence (July). All through the year there are nice, big and small parties.

Northeast: Universo Paralello in Bahia is the main party, after that some djs tour around. Find them along the coast, Recife also has some action. At Pipa Beach (RN) the Wild Artists Crew will make a Festival for the March,28 eclipse.

North: Ecosystem Festival in the Amazon didn’t last. Find small parties in Manaus or Para’s river islands.