A Walk in the Woods - Dekmantel 2022
5 minute read
Temperate august air met cool wind as we cornered the Bosbaan rowing lake. A peloton of two-wheeled ravers kindly weaved between each other, evening out into pairs as they joined the path beside the water. A few bold, or perhaps unprepared partygoers were taking the journey on foot and stared with longing as cyclists glided effortlessly past.
The communal bike ride is the best way to begin a day of frivolity, even when you are carrying your friend on the back. As we neared the site, muffled rumbles bloomed into distinctive rhythms and familiar bone-warming reverberations. Hoards of people had amassed in the field outside the entrance; the cool air of the lake was gone and the sun was generously unveiling itself.
DEKMANTEL had begun.
The Nest
2022’s most vibrant addition was the bass and breaks stage - ‘The Nest’. Hosting a myriad of international artists, from the UK drum and bass legend Sully to Canadian-born DJ and party starter Darwin and the New York ensemble AceMoMA, among many others. For the first time, Dekmantel specifically programmed an exquisite serving of bass, breaks and rampant percussion in one place.
Backstage at The Nest, we managed to catch up with Darwin, but before beginning, I gave her a moment to catch up with herself. We sat at an understated bench in the shade as people mingled at nearby tables. She was radiating an inexorable post-set glow.
I asked for her thoughts on this year’s festival production…
“I’ve been here every year that it’s happened.” She said, “but I’m super stoked about this Nest stage.” Continuing, with a smile elevating the corner of her mouth, “It only took 8 or 9 years to get a freakin’ bass stage and, what do you know? It’s popping the fuck off!”.
Having just witnessed her two-hour set of sonic martial arts, I couldn’t help but agree. Continuing, I asked what she thought of this year’s crowd.
She spurted hastily, “It’s one of the best crowds I’ve ever played to in my life” adding “at one point, I ducked down behind the booth because of all the screaming!”
Her insatiably good mood was adding to the warmth of the late afternoon air. Intrigued to hear about her present interests, I asked about artists she has enjoyed seeing recently, including some who were booked to play her party - REEF. A few were playing at the festival and she mentioned,
“I wanna see BADSISTA, I booked her in Mexico and she is next level.”
Also on her list were Kampire along with Dekmantel regular Batu, who would be closing the main stage on Sunday.
Highlights
The excitement surrounding Dekmantel’s revival was palpable from the offset and the atmosphere of euphoria and reunion reached untameable heights. 2021’s cancellation hit hard since clubs had been open a mere few weeks before the festival date, so this year’s anticipation was unmatched.
Somehow, Overmono’s live set on Friday at the main stage created nostalgia you would only expect to feel on a closing night. This mood set the tone for the rest of the weekend. Another peak performance involved Sangre Nueva, (the collaborative project made up of DJ Python, Helman Duran and DJ Florentino) providing an onslaught of hand drumming at The Greenhouse and inadvertently sending the crowd into a frenzy - transforming perfectly respectable people into a shrewdness of untameable apes.
When Sunday rolled around, limbs were fully lubricated. Dancing our way into the late afternoon, Roza Terenzi took the helm at the main stage, providing a workout of punchy, playful and uptempo techno. After she caught up with some friends, I sat down with her for a moment to hear her thoughts on the set.
“I just arrived from Kosovo before my set”, she began, going on to explain that she hadn’t had much chance to explore the festival. On the question of crowd energy, she playfully remarked,
“It seemed great from where I was standing. People had their shoes up in the air?! They were dancing around with them!”
Before parting ways, she shared her go-to festival song of the summer - ‘Cadenza - Rock Your Enemies (Sister Suck Remix)’. She rightfully rejoined her friends and I took my leave, sauntering back to the main stage for Batu closing.