Curated from the prospering underground scene of downtown Los Angeles, Secret Project touched down during Amsterdam Dance Event for its European Debut. As Amsterdam was thriving in its full sent energy, Secret Project Festival kicked off on Saturday 16th of October on the Hembrugterrein just outside of the Dutch dance capital to enlighten us with its exceptionally curated techno, disco, and house bliss. With five stages, both indoors and outdoors, over 30 artists, and multiple cutting-edge audiovisual environments, Secret Project hosts ADE’s largest venue for underground music.
The unique connection of humanity
Besides the fact of not having attended a large-scale festival in a very long time, Secret Project felt different to me. I felt grounded surrounded by strangers in a utopian futuristic scene. While attending, I experienced a festival where everyone was truly present. We did not feel the urge to escape to our online world, we shared life together by staying in the moment. A unique connection of humanity driven by the exceptional combination of art and music provide by Secret Project’s intentions.
This intersection presented through their distinctive technology present in the venue caused an intense visual stimulation of art; light beams, fireworks, and optical graphics were alternated on the base of the music. Besides these unique features and the overall industrial environment of the Hembrugterrein, the simple construction of all main stages harmonized with the festival’s main purpose; they are destined to create an environment in which all individuals practice art in motion.
Additionally, Secret Project succeeded in capturing the essence of music. Where the essence lies in combining both vocal and instrumental sounds to produce harmony through which you can express emotion, Secret Project accomplished a flow of sensations in everyone’s body by merging techno, house, and disco setting all minds in their finest position. All genres coloured just outside of their lines so that it remained accessible to all mainstream-lovers, but also interesting for their committed fans.
Rose Ringed, HAAi & Honey Dijon
The line-up was spectacular. Stage 1 only already hosted legends like Boris Brejcha, Loco Dice, and CamelPhat. I was surprised by Amsterdam’s proud Rose Ringed, performing on Stage 5. His funk-infused set got the whole crowd bumping and grooving along.
Stage 4 was my holy grail. HAAi successfully sparked everyone’s flame by coming into her own authenticity and succeeding with purpose. There was no stopping us as soon as her fire was lit. Honey Dijon’s set realized something magical. She pushed electronic music into a new dimension by initiating silent breaks in her tracks. The pulse in her music made the crowds’ heartbeats skip a beat, and mouths’ gasp for a breath where after she made us feel alive again.
Secret Project’s secret? Their impeccable celebration of being in the moment. They have created a new reality where the venue was decorated with art, and the music was decorated by time. The power, therefore, lies in their genuine simplicity through which we were physically united again. If only we could all bring a glimpse of that energy with us to our ordinary world, we would rediscover the true importance of human connection.
Want to see more? Make sure to check Secret Project’s Instagram or check our own videos we’ve made during the event here. 🙌
