FREAKY @ IICON
by Tristan Da Cunha
One of the highlights of my musical journey as Freakenstein so far happened in June 23’ at the legendary Glastonbury Festival in Somerset , England. I’m one of a handful of very fortunate DJ’s to be a resident in one of the most incredible fields every year on that solstice weekend . I play for Block9 - a creative collective representing the 🏳️🌈 LGBTQ+ community whilst setting the bar extremely high with their part time fantasies that they build for one weekend only .
As well as the mind blowing NYC Downlow, a perfect recreation of a downtown meatpacking tenement that hosts the most unbelievable disco inside, there is IICON.
IICON is hands down one of the most incredible structures to ever exist at a festival . As well as being a stage it is a work of art. Mind melting ,breathtaking, jaw to the floor video mapping combined with sculptural elegance collide to create one of the most unique stages i’ve ever seen let alone had the pleasure to perform on. I have had the honour to perform on this stage for the past three years since it was unveiled and had the pleasure of closing it twice when the night turns to day and all that’s left are the hardcore party people and feral festival freaks.
This year was a little different however. I had requested that this time i play in the pitch black of night so i could really get my freak on and savour all 9,000 silhouettes that danced in front of me , waving their hands and punching the air. One of the main reasons for this was the kind of fast paced booty shaking electro techno i wanted to play was going to be best suited under the moonlight rather than the sunlight. It’s nasty, It’s freaky, it’s sleazy, it’s funky and highly infectious … it’s that creature of the night that comes alive when the day is dead.
Not only was i playing the peak time slot on Sunday night / Monday morning , I was playing after one of my biggest inspirations and Detroit techno royalty , Underground Resistance. This was HUGE for me, as at the roots of Freakenstein’s musical tree is UR and the whole Detroit techno movement. If it wasn’t for these innovators & renegades i wouldn’t be sat here writing this piece 30,000 feet in the air on my way to play in Berlin. I owe so much to them for the path they paved and to be sharing a stage like IICON with such luminaries was a dream come true.
The set was a hybrid between Live and DJ-ing, using the latest technology i synchronised my Toraiz SP16 sampler and sequencer with Pioneer CDJ3000’s , a Pioneer DJV10 mixer and of course 2 Technics Mk5 Turntables. The idea is to have a continuous flow of music that seamlessly blurs the lines between a DJ set and a Live performance. Using the SP16 I can easily integrate extra samples, overdubs, sound Fx, soundscapes, beats and original tracks into the mix. You can see on some of the behind the scenes videos some examples of how i was utilising the set up.
To add some extra eye candy and turn the IICON into a bit more of a party it was essential to have some dancers to help light up the stage. I called on a couple of talented performer Chester Hayes and Sophie Brain who are also part of the Block9 furniture and I was so happy i did because they brought incredible energy and really connected with the crowd. I also had my fellow freak ‘Naztee’ Naz on stage with me acting as a kinda female Bez from the Happy Mondays. Also dressed in some customised Freaky regalia she proceeded to tear up the stage and bounce around in the booth whilst capturing some of the wonky footage that you see included here. Having these 3 awesome energies on the stage really raised my energy levels up and brought out the performer in me even more than usual. It was beautiful to see from my perspective behind the booth and was so much more exciting for the audience. This experience really aligned with my vision to create a band with a full live show. Music, Visuals and dancers all bringing the Freakenstein vibe to life. Watch this space.
The sound in the booth was spot on which meant that technically everything was harmonic, allowing me to freestyle and really let go with the machines. The set was not pre prepared , it was completely improvised which always keeps it exciting and interesting for me. I find it hard to pre pre-prepare and instead prefer to let the story unfold track by track. There’s a level of preparation and organisation that goes in before the gig that allows me to do this with a certain level of confidence. Making sure i’ve taken time to listen to all my selection is the key to making good choices and allowing the inspiration to be channeled. This is where the magic happens and I even get to surprise myself.
I was really happy with the performance overall and was on cloud 9 afterwards. It felt like there had been some special intergalactic transmission into the outer realms of space and that some serious ripples were created that would be major for the evolution of Freaky. I’m so excited about what’s next for the project. Dropping new music on a new label, developing the live experience, working with other artists and collaborating with exciting musicians and vocalists. It really makes my veins pump and my neck tingle thinking about it all. I can’t wait to show you all what’s next.
Underneath this review of Glasto 2023 i really feel there’s some subtext that shows how dreams DO come true. Please, my fellows freaks, don’t ever stop dreaming and putting in the work to make those dreams and schemes a reality. They don’t just happen. To truly manifest you have to physically and emotionally keep the energy flowing in the direction of your hearts desires. Success is something you attract not something you should chase. Don’t go chasing butterflies. Instead, spend time working on yourself and make your garden beautiful … Then the butterflies will come to you. A good attitude will always determine your altitude in life and remember this….
The future belongs to those who can see it.
Huge thanks to all the Block9 Family especially Gideön Berger for giving me these incredible opportunities each year. Massive shout out to my dancers for elevating the whole show and BIG UP to everyone that came to see me get Fweeeaaakaaay.