Even though it's the first AP I've attended, all the DJs know this tradition from previous cons: I just have to do a review. But this time, I'm sorry, it's not complete. I did not make any effort to conserve my energy during some of the most awesome creative music I've heard in a logn time. So effectively, after some vigorous rave-offs with people and considering that I'd been injured in blitzball the night before (lawlz broken nose) I stopped functioning. But here's what I got.

Maiku, my man. What was up this time? The music choices were sound, very con-rave-ish, a good intro to get the people into it, but... Your transitions.... Did not exist at some points. There was one memorable one where the muic sort of dropped. Whoops. So, not as good as last time I heard you, but the grapevine mentioned new equipment that hadn't been used much before so that's some slack to be cut.

Will (hell, Filterchild, your name is Will, right?)... Kudos! Since the first time I heard you you've improved ALOT. I was intending to sit back and conserve my energy for Panda's set, but I had to get up during yours. The transitions were smooth, good musical choices, nice job overall. Brownie points. Everything fit together and there were no awkward "uh, what just happened" moments. Though, I did notice that alot of the congoers were new to raving: whenever a song went below, say, 150 bpm (like some in your set, though that's a very vague number, don't listen to it) they would stop and look around like "how can I dance now?". It was sort of cute, I think.

Panda. Wow. What can I say other than holy shit, you slay me? Noah, also, super-props. The solos were inspiring and gorgeous. It's been at least a year or two since I've really hit that headspace during a rave that nothing matters but you and the music. Thanks for the trip. I would deliniate everything I loved about it, but suffice to say that it was utterly great. I couldn't pick out any faults. May Panda XP return soon.

Of course, after that I was cashed. So I missed the rest of Will, and AJ, and OJ. Sorry guys!

I will also say, to Zoidberg-Cloud..... When doing a conga-line. In a rave. DO NOT GO THROUGH THE RAVERS. GO AROUND. There is nothing more infuriating than being in the middle of a particularly great movement or something and having some kid RUN into you in that line because they're weaving haphazardly through us.

And to the con staff: try next year to sell glowsticks. I've never been to a con that didn't, and I brought my own, but alot of people were out of luck because they count on buying them at-con. I had at leats 30 people ask me where I found mine, if not more. Not only for the betterness of the rave, which was lacking in lightshow because the only people who brought their sticks were serious ravers and nobody else had any, but because you can make one hell of a profit off of it.

All in all: despite the quirks with people (...newbs) not giving ravers space and running into us all the time... Or better yet, walking up behind you in huge crowds and just standing there so you lost all manueverability... I had fun. Fantastical.

It seemed really long for me for some reason... Even though I loved all the music and had a really good time.

I wanna say I feel sorry for AJ, the whole thing died right before he was gonna go on, he was so nervous too... But when he did spin after the incident was takin care of, it was awesome.

Also, thanks to the couple people, especially AJ, who helped me with some great camera work!

Maiku, you rocked the house as always, to bad you had to be up early, hope the big "move" went well. I really need to get some good equipment and try out some real dj'ing.

Will.... Vinyl will always hold a special place at raves, great job, even with our fluid stage, lol.

The whole guitar thing? Damn, that rocked IMHO, never really seen that done before...

And OJ, traktor does rock, along with your sets, woohoo.

So anyways, with all the equipment we had up there, it was down right amazing, I WANT PICTURES!!! If anyone (I know Maiku has a few) has pics from the dance, email them to me. lycwolf@gmail.com

And to the guy who got injured, I hope your doing OK, I can't imagine the pain that had caused...

Otherwise, I hope to return next year to VJ again, hope everyone else had fun.

(If i forgot anyone, sorry... I still hurt from that weekend, even after the last 12 hours of sleep...)

Alright, the rave fecking ROCKED (selling glow sticks would have made it even more godly though)!!! I'm not one to make a big review, so I'll just list my favorites:

I think I've actually fallen in love with DJ Panda. His music made my panties wet. Mike, if I have to, I will fly over to Ohio, get on my knees, and BEG YOU to get him back for next year's con.

The chant circle: I don't know who started it, but I love you as well.

The conga line: It had me trapped in there for about 2 minutes O__o;; I couldn't find my way out, tbh xD

The break dancers: You guys rocked. For the past couple of months I've been trying to learn how to do this stuff, and I can barely accomplish a simple freeze.


And I'm being serious, get DJ Panda back for next year. Please :3 ?

To all who enjoyed Panda XP... thank you. Noah (the guitarist) and I worked hard on that, so I'm glad to hear it.

I'd djed at other cons and raves around here under the name DJ Pandable (often shortened to Panda) - but never with the whole added element of guitar. Noah and I decided to add live guitar to a panda set, and hence the Panda XP project was born.

Hopefully you'll be seeing us at other cons this year. :D

Well, I can never say no to a girl on her knees with wet panties!

So unless there are any unforeseen changes in the next year, you can expect the dance to start with Panda XP again next year!

Perchance were you the girl who half-accosted me during my mini-circle dancing at the end of Panda's set? She was quite enthused to be there.

Marry me <3 Please.

Britchan~ I might have been xD Depends on who and where you were. I was mainly up at the front by the right speaker.

Mike~ You've made my day ;P

I aim to please ^_^

You succeed ^.^

I'm actually pretty stoked that you guys liked my set. As is typical with hotel-provided stages, everything was a bit wobbly, so the first half of that first set of mine actually had shitloads of problems with jumping needles. After that, though, everything seemed to be fine. I actually had close to no problems with bass rumble at AP, too, so all in all it was a great set. I also believe that the dance was recorded (I'm still looking into this, though, so no promises yet), and I can't wait to hear how it all turned out.

Thanks again, AP. Can't wait to see you all again!

Oh my god, I think it WAS you! Right speaker, I had a sort of mini-circle around me while I raved up front during panda's set. I bumped a girl next to me, I think, and she started dancing with me. for about a minute. Her friends were there too. That WAS sort of by the right speaker. I was the chick with superlong hair in blank tank top that said "absinthe" and vinyl pants with green glowsticks.... SO was it you?

:o :o I think I remember you!! I was the girl with the cat ears and the DDR head band with long brown hair!! Yeah, the girls asked me to join their little mini circle cause my friend had gone back to her room.

Oh wow. XD You told me I danced well. Thank you. I was sort of in the rave headspace and just zoning about.

I know what you mean xD I was all "OMG L337 MUSIC *spazzes*" *sigh* That was definitely an awesome rave.

Glad everyone liked it. Hopefully Will and I will get to return next year and actually DO the tag-team set that we were hoping to get done this year. Since everything started so friggin' late.

I also want to apologize for the 60Hz ground loop/hum that was coming through the PA. We, unfortunately, had no control over the electricity in the room and someone wasn't plugging things in to the best of sockets (we had a power "spider", but that was limited on outlets). Maybe I should bring a 220V power converter next time. =P

Anyhoo... I'm really glad everyone enjoyed the rave and again, hope to see you all next year.

P.S. Will never went above 138 BPM on any track. I don't think he has anything faster than that, but I could be wrong. For the record, almost all "danceable" music that you hear is around 132 (that I would play anyway). Anything slower might not be fun to dance to. I like to keep things around 134 at all times if I can help it. I might stray below that, but you won't notice one or two beats per minute lower. :)