Concert Review: Klang Dance at Whammy 5 June 2021

Klang Dance celebrates three years of forward-thinking techno. Where else but the dark, mysterious cavern that is Whammy Bar could this possibly be honoured?

Queen’s Birthday weekend saw the celebration of not only the Queen but Klang Dance’s third anniversary. Running into the early hours, Klang Dance celebrates the forward-thinking genre of techno. Alongside its graphic videos and dark lighting was a very special line up consisting of Diesel, U-day, Shane Seydoux, and Samari, the organiser.

Arguably not a genre for everyone, it is one that has deep roots in the electronic music culture and that was noticeable in the way that the venue started to pack out at 10pm on a Saturday night, this music brought in a crowd of proper heads.

Take away the music, whether you like it or not, Klang Dance does something different to other gigs. It creates a feeling. You’re underground at Whammy. It’s dark but you’re alone with the music and there just isn’t a worry about anything else going on at that exact moment.

A highlight, as they are on any line up, is Diesel. On their own planet but also with you entirely they entice you along on a techno journey that’s entirely their own but one we are kindly invited on. They could be playing anything and you would be mesmerized. A question hangs over the set as to how one person is playing techno yet be so calming to watch.

The crowd that Klang Dance draws in is a mix, real characters and a lot of people who seem over 30 who relish the feeling of nostalgia that techno brings them. Then there’s the new follower to the genre who just wants something harder than the run of the mill drum and bass.

One of those 30 pluses says, “This gig takes me back in time, it brings back to the dance music where I’m from in Christchurch. This is how we found dance music in 1998. No one listened to this back then but they were wrong, it’s still good.”

A true celebration of liberation, like when the Berlin wall fell, the origins of techno can be traced back to Germany in the 80s. It developed into a different sound in the UK through the late 80s and then to Detroit which has become somewhat of a mecca for the genre, growing underground and going on to influence artists even today.

Klang Dance reconnects people, invites people in and is just something a little different.