If I had to choose one memory of using the internet that changed my life forever, it would be the music. Live-streamed mixes and radio-shows broadcasted globally, like Radio 1’s Essential Mix, ASOT, Group Therapy. The idea of someone on the other side of the planet moving to the same beat, to a genre of music that I think will always be an acquired taste, made me get for the first time how shared the human condition really is. Many pixels have been pushed to these beats.
Even though I wasn’t a huge raver, every time I’ve gone to a rave in person it’s been a trancendent 😉 experience. Now I don’t know when I’ll go to another rave. The way this pandemic has disrupted our deep human need for connection feels heaviest when I think about the music.
For now, I’ll be playing shows like these continuously in the background. Typically I prefer the audio-only streams, because seeing DJ’s work the decks is a surefire way to make sure I don’t get any work done. Now, however, I peek at the video every few minutes, just to see people’s smiling faces, strangers all singing along to the same nonsensical lyrics.
Even though Armada and Anjunabeats were pioneers in this kind of thing (via streams, then podcasts, then videostreams), many forms of quality music can be enjoyed. Here’s what I’ve got playing next on my lappy: