Interview Sven Vath
We speak to the German DJ behind the Temple Newsam festival Cocoon in the Park
Interview: Sven Vath
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Sven Vath is a renowned German DJ and producer who has amassed a huge body of work in his 28 year career. He is also the main man behind upcoming open-air dance music festival Cocoon in the Park, which is taking place on 10th July at Temple Newsam.
How are things different now to when you started out in electronic music?
I think that electronic music today is characterized by a constant change in style and a certain openness towards all kinds of music. That is the key in my opinion, and that will be the future of electronic music. In former times, there was more freedom in style because there were not so many people making this music and listening to it. However, the development is great as far as I’m concerned.
So why did you want to start this festival?
In my opinion the time was right. My partner Shane from Mint Club, Leeds – who I know from the Orbit in Leeds where I had my first residency in the ‘90s – and I were sitting in a hotel room two years ago and we decided to do something different in Leeds, different from all the other open airs in the UK.
What are the important aspects of Cocoon you want to get across at the festival?
First of all we didn’t want a large line up with too many acts, we wanted to give all artists the time they need to build up their set the right way, which means at least three hours of playtime. We think that’s exactly the right way to do it, instead of dropping act after act and everybody has only one and a half hours to play, as you really can’t develop a set within this time frame. And, of course, we provide the production that people are expecting from a Cocoon show: our dancers and performers, the special light show and so on. Be prepared!
How did you decide who would headline?
After having had Luciano and Steve Bug last year, we decided to ask Ricardo Villalobos and Loco Dice this year. We are all friends and we like the same aspects of electronic music. We play together in Ibiza and other countries quite often and both are also regular guests at the Cocoon club in Frankfurt. Adam Shelton will open the stage for us again; he already did a great job in 2009.
What can people expect from one of your sets at the moment?
By the time Cocoon in the Park takes place, we will already be running our shows in Ibiza, so I guess I will bring over all those inspirations, the energy and power from the island, and I guarantee that we will have a blast like party animals!
What will be different from last year, if anything?
First of all new fresh music. And, of course some things will be improved after learning from our first year. We are also expecting more people as we now have a following after our first attempt was so successful.
Why should people come to Cocoon in the Park?
We provide a nice little festival where people feel at home very quickly. Let’s all have a nice Saturday in the sun. The location is just the bomb,with this extraordinarily nice park next to a historic mansion; it’s simply beautiful. Great sounds and a nice show will round it off – come and see for yourselves!
10 July, Temple Newsam, 11am-11pm, £40
Posted on Friday 25th June 2010
SJTB
Temple Newsam Estate
Temple Newsam Road, Temple Newsam, Leeds, LS15 0AE
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