Sperm Fest: No, really! It was a Music Festival!

on 08-03-2006 12:27

Published in : , Music

By: Natalia Vasquez

Pounding chest, dancing laser lights, computers, cables, piercings, dyed hair, club smoke, chattering, all taken in, in a matter of seconds upon arrival at Abaton. Three stages and a cinema were installed in the club’s various levels, each prepared for a long night of mood-changing performances and a constant flow of audiences. The stages were color coded-Red, Blue, Green-and easily located and accessible after the initial scan was performed. Everything seemed perfectly organized: line-up projected on the wall, bars in several locations, stages far enough apart so that the music could encompass its space and allow the mood to spread to its fans, and, most importantly, enough space to dance. I was shocked to find myself and a few others alone in our inability to resist movement, but then remembered this was a festival all in its own.

For those of you who don’t know Abaton, it’s rather large by Prague standards and hosts a wide range of acts mostly alternative and relatively underground in their styles. Located about 15 minutes from the Palmovka Metro station, down a dark path, up a small hill, and alongside huge mansions, what seems to be an old factory warehouse is the perfect place for such fantastic music events. Spermfest is one of a kind in Prague.

Headlining the evening were the UK’s Jamie Lidell and Germany’s The Notwist. Both acts attracted boisterous crowds that could not help but become invigorated by the unique blending of sounds and musical genres. The Notwist’s mix of grunge, noise-rock, experimental, and metal is accomplished with the use of electric guitars, keyboards, samples, and drums. It drew a large crowd of patient but eager fans. Two girls headbanged in the center of the crowd for most of the set. Following the performance was Jamie Lidell, who attracted a crowd similar in size and had people moving en masse. Dancing, finally! Lidell's mix of beatboxing, funk, and soul sent a relaxed energetic vibe through the crowd that bumped to the music. Sharing the Green Stage throughout the evening were The Lazy, Josef Seldon, Radian, Monika Naceva and DJ Five, The Decadents, Nika 77, and James Milligan.

The Red and Blue stages did not stay far behind, each attracting large groups through experimental performances. The Czech Republic’s Floex and Ridina Ahmedova played with vocal sounds and underlying beats, using the voice to represent various instrumental sounds. Machine Funck, also Czech, combined machine sounds with techno beats and electronica to create its own atmosphere. Digitonal, Tigrics, Kid 606, and Barbara Idijot, among others, also filled the spaces of these two stages. These areas were more difficult to entertain in, due to the constant flow of people swarming from room to room to catch as many acts possible, but the artists attracted their fans. All in all, a wide array of countries was represented, including Poland, Slovakia, Hungary, the United Kingdom, the United States, Germany, the Czech Republic, Austria, and Canada.

For those in need of rest from standing and being engulfed in heat and sound, there was the Sperm Cinema, which screened The Man with a Movie Camera, music, videos, short films, and VDJ performances. It was a perfect place for relaxing while still being musically and visually stimulated. An interesting addition to the festival was the room screening the hockey game and, later, skiing. There the mood shift was instant with its beer garden fashioned tables and foosball. CDs, records, and magazines were also available for sale or a quick glance. Another very interesting experimental project was located at the entrance of the Blue stage. There were white screens installed with cushions in the middle where people could sit and become part of the film projection. Overlapping their reflections were film clips of dancing women.

I think it’s safe to say it was an exciting Saturday night in Prague. Club Abaton hosting live music, films, sports, and hundreds of people to enjoy it, all under one roof. Spermfest was a great success.