“Where are the set times?” “When are the set times going to be released?” In the days leading up to last month’s Lucky 2017, questions like these were asked across social media. This is nothing new around here. From large festivals to smaller club nights, planning is often involved on ‘rave day’. “What am I going to wear?” “What time are we going to pre funk?” “When do we hit the road?”. Knowing what time your favorite artist will take the stage can help dictate how your night will play out on paper; you want to be there when he, or she, takes the stage! However, is knowing set times in advance worth sacrificing the spontaneity of a night out? Do set times make your night better? A music industry writer raises the question and has a one word answer: no.
[pullquote]”The spontaneity of a night out is often one of the best bits.”[/pullquote]
Mix Mag’s Jasmine Kent-Smith acknowledges that pre-published set times are great at bringing structure to your night, especially if you’re a busy bee who uses organization as a way to balance work and play. She also agrees that set times alleviate the disappointment of going to a show and missing either all, or part, of your favorite artist’s set. Plus, you spent your hard-earned money on a probably overpriced ticket. Want to get that bang for that buck, right?.
Not knowing set times, however, “relieves the pressure of a night. The expectations.” Citing experiences at two parties she went to, Kent-Smith discovered that no set times helped her, and the audience get lost in the music- dancing past curfews and really enjoy the events as experiences, experiences that highlighted the beauty of carefree, spontaneous clubbing.
Kent-Smith also brings up an issue that might come up with knowing set times, one we can all probably relate to: waiting in line. Such and such is on at midnight. That gives you plenty of time to get ready, pre funk and get to the venue before the artist takes the stage. You arrive an hour beforehand and the line is wrapped around the building. How convenient! Everyone knows this artist is on a midnight and they all decided to arrive close to the advertised show time. Now the place is a clutterfuck. Because you have to wait, there’s a chance you might miss some of the performance you’ve long been waiting to see. Ever been in this situation?
[pullquote align=”right”]”You take that tentative step onto the floor to escape reality, dance to release feelings of joy and forget the rigmarole of daily life.”[/pullquote]
With so much planning being involved on a night out, Kent-Smith asks what happened to just truly losing yourself in the dance? What happened to going out and enjoying the music, regardless who is playing it? Whatever happened to walking into the unknown and leaving with an experience you never imaged? Her closing statement? Maybe we should stop expecting so much.
What is your opinion about advanced set times? Do you think they can ruin a night out as well? Should they stop being posted all over social media until day of? Let us know what you think in the comment section below!
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