By Matty Adams
The highest club in the world combined with the biggest club in the world? Sounds like another memorable weekend in Frankfurt if you ask us…
Unique, individual and unlike any other clubbing concept placed before mankind, one of the most discussed festival gatherings took place in Germany’s fifth biggest city, Frankfurt, this past weekend and it all happened courtesy of BigCityBeats and the World Club Dome.
Starting life out as nothing more than a radio station, BigCityBeats have expanded massively over the past decade or so and much to their credit, their plans for 2016 were their biggest to date thus far.
This was the fourth year in a row that the BigCityBeats crew were taking over the extraordinary Commerzbank Arena Frankfurt as they radically transformed it into what can only be dubbed as the “biggest club in the world”. Tens upon thousands of dance-floor thirsty revellers united together as one to take over the football home of Bundesliga outfit Frankfurt and embrace the clubbing mecca that surrounded them – 200 world famous DJs, 20 grand stages, an outdoor swimming pool, the Q-Dance Open Air Stage and they even had their very own camping site.
That wasn’t all either. In order to travel to Frankfurt, most people take a chilled out flight where they can sit back, relax and catch some shut eye to their favourite relaxing beats before touching down. This case was different was we were flying via a Boeing 747 which can only be better described as a Club Jet.
Starting out in Paris, this spectacular two-tiered Club Jet rose to an impressive altitude of 10,000 meters into the sky entertaining a lucky flock of 500 clubbing fanatics fuelled with only the finest adrenaline – 4 DJ-Areas and German superstar Robin Schulz as the flight’s headline act and what an experience it was. Jumping aboard the jet over in the English capital of London, we didn’t know quite what to expect. However, once the seatbelt signals were green and the luggage was locked firmly away, there was no stopping the shape-shifting passengers all aboard the Club Jet.
German electronic music juggernaut Robin Schulz ensured ear-drum satisfaction standards were exceeded en route to Hamburg. As more and more people manoeuvred their way closer to the decks just so everything could all sink in, Schulz delivered a familiar club atmosphere despite being in unfamiliar surroundings. With my camera focused on the clouds floating below the plane out of the window, the picture-perfect video was captured as Schulz dropped his own remix of Lilly Wood & The Prick’s “Prayer in C” – it was very surreal indeed.
Embarking upon our first trip ever to the Commerzbank Arena Frankfurt, the Friday night billing offered a spectacle one simply couldn’t afford to miss. Taken in by the increasingly hypnotising sound of trance flag-bearer Armin van Buuren, we entered the stadium for the first time and the views were to put it bluntly, breathtaking at minimal. Overlooking an ocean of 60,000 people from the floor to the lower tiers of the venue, we soaked in the extraordinary pleasantries displayed by the Dutch phenomenon whose set was further complimented by the dazzling light display carving its way through the dance floor.
As we got comfortable over in the stand on the right-hand side of the stage, we had set ourselves up for the perfect view of French superstar, David Guetta. Commanding Main Stage operations from 9:30pm until the occurrence of the Grand Opening Show, the genius behind F*** Me I’m Famous was also the genius behind a concluding positive atmosphere as we prepared for the rest of the weekend’s antics. With such popular hits as “Shot Me Down” featuring Skylar Grey and “Titanium” – his collaboration with Sia, the 48-year-old crowd controller had the Commerzbank Arena Frankfurt eating out of the palm of his hand.
Taking advantage of as much of this three-day extravaganza as we could, the World Club Dome started Saturday the way that it had finished on Friday night, nothing short of spectacular. Allowing us the opportunity to take in the beautiful surroundings and surprise display of German sunshine, we took to the Main Stage to catch a glimpse of Lost Frequencies. Aged just 22-years-old, this Brussels-born beauty proved to be relentless in his craft and sensational in igniting a capacity crowd. Screams of joy were heard when he dropped one of our personal favourites – “Are You With Me” as well as providing us with an insight to his newest release featuring Sandro Cavazza titled “Beautiful Life”.
Later that afternoon, Main Stage ear-drum pleasure was produced by none other than Don Diablo. Displaying his tremendous skill and versatility to play four decks with just two hands, this Netherlands favourite propelled his way through the electronic gears executing an impressive style of eclectic production which was flanked by harmonious vocals throughout.
Deciding to switch up things a little, we headed straight for the Diynamic Stage to go get ourselves some of Kollektiv Turmstrasse’s finest house and techno. Appearing just prior to label boss Solomun, this Hamburg/Berlin duo were given a one-hour time slot in which they were required to warm up the crowd accordingly for the grand Diynamic finale. Catering the needs of both the body and soul, the musical bond between Christian Hilscher and Nico Plagemann was evident. With their productions possessing a hint of human warmth, their wide, top-heavy, all-consuming sound echoed throughout the woodland that surrounded the arena.
Diynamic head-honcho Solomun took charge at 8pm and was simply faultless throughout. His memorable inclusion of “Around The World” by Daft Punk was a moment one could never forget. It oozed emotion, screamed authenticity and proved just how versatile the three-venue Ibiza resident actually was. I think it’s safe to say you will be seeing a lot more of me at Pacha Ibiza on Sundays this summer too, the sound of Solomun is an addiction you don’t want separate from.
Sunday proceedings began outdoors over on the Cocoon stage and what better way to kick off proceedings that with a titanic techno taste of Ilario Alicante? Still considering himself to be a clubber, Ilario Alicante provided revellers with a clubbing experience thus displaying his vital connection which he has maintained with the dance floor since his early raving days. Nothing short of meteoric, this immaculate Italian explored a diverse range of eclectic sounds engaging Cocoon fanatics on a journey of unexplored avenues.
Staying true to our Cocoon loyalties, we welcomed one of the true masters of the techno portal – good ole’ Papa Sven. The Cocoon chief, Sven Vath, served only the very best techno trifle available as he controlled every move of everyone present outdoors like puppets on string. Just as his set was increasing in excitement teasing our fist-pumps with tempting builds and overwhelming drops, thunder and lightning struck a dark cloud of rain over Frankfurt and his set was concluded early on.
Later that evening, we explored the rest of the Commerzbank Arena Frankfurt and opted for the perfect picture moment – a photograph taken in front of the stage from the highest point in the stadium and it just so happens that one of the planet’s very best was playing – Hardwell. In similar fashion to the storm that was brewing outside, the Breda-born Revealed Recordings boss whisked away his loyal army of followers with a whirlwind of EDM belters and a lighting display that was only exceeded by that of the Grand Closing Show!
With over 200 artists across 20 different stages playing to an international audience of 60,000 festival enthusiasts, one couldn’t possibly disagree that the “biggest club in the world” hadn’t live up to expectations. For this BigCityBeats, we take our hats off to you – incredible in every single department.
