Photography by Ian Blount

Words by Danny O’Sullivan

Metropolis for me represented a lot more than a music festival, it surmised exactly what we want as a culture who crave music and entertainment. Eclectic line up’s of home grown and international DJ’s and bands, combined excellently with well planned out intricate and beautifully designed stage installations. Interesting talks, that captured the imagination while informing us excellently of the musical endeavours of the past. Why settle for the mediocre standards of past cultural epochs. High standards and exceeding potential should be the norm and the organisers embodied such and stepped up excellently.

Some of the top moments that stood out for me….

Jamie xx

What a way to make a late entrance, with a fantastic set that focused on the many influences and cultures which shaped in colour and the music of Jamie xx. Calypso and its beautiful Caribbean culture that makes it up, UK garage and the many iterations of dance music that created and influenced how Jamie Smith produces were all on show, each of his tracks came with an sonic back-story that created a journey that Dublin certainly appreciated . An excellently crafted set was backed ably by the wonderful light show put on. Stepped up and delivered, a vibe, highlights were ‘Girl’ and ‘Gosh’ and ‘Good times’.

Le Galaxie

Always good to see an Irish electronic act deliver a great set and be supported by such a big crowd. The energy was fun and the band sound polished. Collectively the energy of the crowd and band coincided and fed off one another. Those unfamiliar with the band enjoyed the electro-pop moments, and the familiar fans , well they didn’t want it to end. Shout outs for finishing on the Jurassic park theme tune, an epic end to proceedings.

KINK

Humility, aptitude and an ability to connect with the crowd. The characteristics that will most certainly ensure KINK remains a popular constant on the electronic scene. His engagement with the crowd with his launch pads showed excellent showmanship and his track selection was very impressive, when he dropped ‘Cloud generator’, the room lost control. Most definitely someone I will see again.

Copyright Ian Blount

Arcadia

For those who have witnessed Arcadia in the earlier incarnations of EP, or those lucky enough to grace Glasto, you know the production behind Arcadia will be second to none. Engineering that captures the eye with Pyrotechnics and light show‘s that illuminate the sky, the perfect foil for the outdoors and a perfect beacon for Metropolis. Throw in some excellent sets from the likes of Benji B, and the Bedlam Djs, and you know longer wonder why you missed the warmth of the halls.

Jeff Mills

A master class, I expected nothing less from a Detroit legend. A packed room welcomed the end of Metropolis for this year, with a huge set in how minimal techno should always be played. Mills expertly plays with his crowd, toying with snares while holding back on numerous occasions. When he drops each track, elation and appreciation circumvents faster than the chemical imbalance soon to occur. Once ‘The Bells’ dropped, the majority knew what was up, a long night of catching the next tune and waiting for the next drop.