Again for an additional unbelievable rendition of the “World’s Wettest Get together!” This time in Taipei,Taiwan. A multi-genre occasion, this S2O Competition featured greater than a single stage, showcasing not solely EDM artists but additionally Okay-Pop, Hip-Hop, Rock, and extra.
On the core of every S2O Competition is the idea of “Physique Wants Water’, initially starting in Bangkok, Thailand, to rejoice the Thai New 12 months, Songkran. The water represents renewal and letting go of negativity, which can be one thing seen inside the dance group. It’s a spot to let go of worries and specific ourselves with out judgment.
Every part from the insane manufacturing we found in Thailand to large cannons spraying out into the group to dancers on stage spraying attendees with giant water weapons—there’s no query why S2O Taiwan ranks excessive among the many most original festivals EDM Maniac has attended.
Right here’s what else we now have to say about our weekend at S2O Competition in Taipei, Taiwan:
Vibes: B+
From the second we entered the competition, the power was wild. On the competition entrance, we had been met by dancers spraying water weapons and foam cannons at us. The doorway to the competition was additionally the primary stage, that includes EDM and Rock artists.
Making our manner by the competition grounds to the mainstage, we had been met with excited attendees filling up their water weapons on the refill station, these ready in line to seize meals, and people exploring the various fascinating model activations.
The model activations added a enjoyable, interactive aspect to the competition, protecting attendees entertained as they wandered from stage to stage. There was an F1 Purple Bull problem, testing how lengthy it could take you to vary a tire on an F1 automotive. A Muay Thai Boxing ring was situated within the ‘Mini Thailand’ space, the place there have been nodes to the Thai tradition that S2O relies round.
We discovered the vibes on the Cash Bunny stage, the place Okay-Pop and Hip-Hop artists had been to be extra chill crowd power. With its amphitheater-style setup, many individuals sat down, having fun with the music and views of the river the venue was set subsequent to.
Upon getting into the primary stage, although, the group power was insane! It was so enjoyable to see how the group acquired amped for all of the artists that got here on all through the day. As soon as the solar went down and the lasers got here out, mixed with all of the water coming from the stage, it grew to become some of the energetic crowds we’ve seen shortly.
We discovered all our interactions constructive, and the vast majority of individuals spoke English, despite the fact that it was not the primary language heard across the competition. Additional into the night time, we seen some individuals could have been a bit previous their consumption limits. Everybody was type, and the final hospitality surpassed what we are likely to expertise at festivals usually.
Manufacturing: B
In contrast to S2O Thailand, this was a multi-stage / multi-genre occasion, so there was extra to discover. The primary stage, designed to symbolize the water manufacturing unit, offers the water cannons the loopy impact of water coming straight out of big water pipes. Though the stage was barely smaller than the one we skilled in Thailand, we had been no much less impressed with the manufacturing high quality.
The mix of the pyrotechnics, lasers, and artists’ visuals made for a loopy sensory expertise unmatched by many festivals we now have attended. Then, the fireworks took that to the following degree, though on day one, there have been some points that prompted fewer fireworks to go off. Day two undoubtedly made up for it; the problem was resolved, and there have been further fireworks throughout all of the night DJ units.
Outdoors of the phases, the meals and sponsor activations had been well-chosen. There was a various quantity of meals to select from, together with dumplings, burgers, and extra. We additionally beloved how interactive all of the sponsor cubicles had been, such because the one the place attendees might take a hammer to large blocks of ice to retrieve a prize frozen contained in the ice block.
We did get pleasure from wandering over to the WaterBoom stage, situated on the competition’s entrance. It was on the smaller aspect, however the manufacturing, with the raised deck DJ arrange, water weapons, and foam occasion, was tremendous enjoyable to work together with.
Music: B
Throughout two days, S2O Taiwan featured well-known dance music artists reminiscent of Yellow Claw, Vini Vici, Alan Walker, Sub Zero Mission, Ray Volpe, and extra. Each DJ’s set was distinctive to witness, and it was subsequent to the unbelievable manufacturing and heightened crowd power.
Going earlier on each days, we acquired to expertise DJs from throughout Asia, reminiscent of Kenny Musik and DJ Sally, amongst others. We noticed Kenny Musik carry out throughout our time at S2O Thailand and beloved attending to expertise his music dwell once more.
Headlining dubstep artist Ray Volpe introduced the bass to Taiwan and had everybody on the rail headbanging like loopy! The group was so hyped for his set that we even witnessed individuals leaping round and headbanging in VIP areas. Though his set was within the daytime, it was fascinating to have ‘Laserbeam’ with none lasers, so it grew to become Waterbeam this time.
Different artists on day two, reminiscent of Sub Zero Mission, blew us away with their efficiency and showcased numerous new music throughout their set. Alan Walker’s finale had us in our feels one second and raging the following. Once more, witnessing these artists mixed with S2O’s distinctive presentation takes units to a brand new degree. The artists themselves are excited, particularly if they’re taking part in S2O for the primary time. Most have by no means skilled something like water manufacturing or that degree of power from crowds.
Venue: B
Set within the coronary heart of Taiwan, in Taipei, the venue was situated alongside a river and supplied glorious views throughout the day. Contained in the venue, we felt all the pieces was simply accessible from all of the phases. The venue had three phases: the Waterboom, Cash Bunny, and the primary S2O stage.
It was good to see such numerous meals choices contained in the competition, though the strains had been normally fairly lengthy. We additionally seen the meals vendor setup wasn’t ideally suited for the move of competition site visitors, as these ready in line for meals blocked the trail individuals had been strolling by the competition.
The loos all through the competition, GA and VIP, had been all porta-potties. We by no means had any points with VIP strains, however we seen GA was normally busy. We weren’t anticipating the dearth of bathroom seats contained in the porta-potties. It was extra of a squat-and-do-your-business scenario. That is normal follow in some international locations worldwide, which wasn’t an issue; it simply took us unexpectedly for a second—one more reason to do analysis beforehand (like studying Competition Report Playing cards) for all the main points.
The vast majority of festivals outdoors of America are cashless, so attendees have to load cash onto their wristbands to buy food and drinks. More often than not, although, when buying merch, there’s an possibility to make use of the wristband or pay by card.
Being a water-themed competition, many of the venue is predicted to get fairly moist. The “dry zones” had been largely VIP areas and on the Cash Bunny stage. Though it wasn’t promised, you might even keep dry in these areas as a result of there have been many attendees with water weapons, and you might simply be their subsequent goal.
Going into the ground on the fundamental stage, there was no assured “dry zone,” particularly because the night time went on and the water cannons acquired extra intense. By day two, the ground was flooded in just a few areas, and as soon as it acquired darkish, issues acquired squishy in the direction of the again center, and visibility on the place to step grew to become questionable.
We felt the venue labored for the competition’s dimension, but enhancements could possibly be made to assist the move of issues. If the situation of meals distributors and “Little Thailand” had been swapped, the site visitors move would have felt much less chaotic all through the night time.
Total: B
Total, it was such a enjoyable expertise. I used to be as soon as once more blown away by the manufacturing and degree of hospitality at S2O. It was additionally wonderful to see the distinctive features of various S2O festivals in comparison with each other.
The collection of artists was an excellent mixture of genres from numerous components of the world, and we beloved seeing a brand new degree of pleasure from followers. Witnessing the dance music group of different international locations is a novel manner of experiencing different cultures.
Although it’s hosted abroad, the S2O competition maintains the values of its beginnings, with items of Thai tradition at every of its festivals. The idea of “washing away” issues that will maintain you again and specific your self freely left us with a novel happiness to this competition.
Dance music is on the rise on this a part of the world, and journey throughout Asia is reasonably priced. This competition is price including to the bucket listing, and we hope to see you at one of many many S2O Festivals around the globe.
Are you interested by different S2O Festivals? Take a look at our S2O Bangkok, Thailand evaluation.
