Back in 2008 a party was held in the Amsterdam Rai, called In Qontrol. I completely forgot about this events' existence. I did have a few of the CDs they released, but I never knew they stopped back in 2010 due to an increase of taxes on tickets, from 6% to 19%. A bit of a shit reason to stop organising this event, but hey ho, they did it anyway. So the last 10 years we haven't had an In Qontrol event? Time does fly by quickly.
So why I am talking about this event? I am talking about it, because the other day I discovered a set by Dana, which was recorded at the 2008 edition of this event. During this event, she played the second to last set in the Headquarters area. The other areas were 'Evolution Sector', 'Sin City' and 'The Underground'. Within these four areas you had the finest DJs playing. The line-up is sick, and still holds its strength compared to present day line ups.
Brennan Heart, Showtek, Donkey Rollers, Technoboy, Noisecontrollers, Project One, Dozer, A-Lusion, Tha Playah, Promo, Noize Suppressor, The Outside Agency, Weirdo, Public Domain, Lenny Dee, and many, many more. And of course the Queen herself: Dana. previously known as Lady Dana.
The Queen can only play on the main stage, and during her hour and 20 minute long set she shows the world why she's the Queen. So much respect for her. I remember seeing her for the very first time back in 1998 at Mysteryland. And she is still the Queen of both Hardcore and Hardstyle.
So what kind of tracks did she play? Well, she was full into Hardstyle at that time, so you do get 80 minutes of Hardstyle. The good sounding Hardstyle. You know what I mean, right?
Zany & DV8 - Distorted
Dutch Master - Get Up
DJ Isaac - In My Veins
2 Best Enemies - Les Drums (Technoboy Remix)
Headhunterz - Subsonic
Scope DJ - Lockdown
Josh & Wesz vs Glowiej - Tempo Pusher
Dozer - The Church Of The Darkside
Dutch Master - Insomnia
DJ Rylan - The Beginning
The Pitcher - New World
The Beholder meets DJ Zany - Euphoria
Bruno Power - Superbattlerz (Erik T Remix)
Noisecontrollers - Aliens
ID - ID
Zany & Duro - Our Power
Menace II Society - Chronic Disorder
I have got to say that Dana gets my respect since the early days of me 'knowing' her. She keeps on pushing boundaries, and her set shows why she is the Queen, and gets the people dancing, no matter what she plays. Terror? Yeah sure, why not. Hardcore? Easy peasy lemon squeeze. Hardstyle? She's got you covered too! Dana is an all rounder, and she gets much respect for that.
The good thing about finding these old sets, is that they remind you of a forgotten era of music. We all know Hardstyle and we all love it, but do you still hear these 16 anthems nowadays? No, you don't. And it's a fucking shame. These were dancefloor smashers. Or, Amsterdam Rai shakers!
The mix has got a few smashers in it, and the two I really liked were 'Aliens' by Noisecontrollers, and 'Les Drums' by 2 Best Enemies, remixed by Technoboy. You do hear this specific pattern in both of them you simply don't hear anymore in present day Hardstyle. Why did we have to forget these absolute monsters of tracks? The euphoria level has been pushed to another level. I do want the older 'level' back. Please?
The only 'bad' bit about this set is the MC. Never a fan, never will be either. Does not add a single thing. Let Dana do her thing, and close your waffle. No need to speak, the Queen can do that with two turntables and a mixer. And big bad ass speakers, and massive laser lights.
A wicked set. 2008 was such a good year for Hardstyle. Bring it back, please? I am begging you...
Oh, btw. Dana had to end with a Hardcore track. She just had to.
DJ: Dana
Genre/Style: Hardstyle, Euphoric Hardstyle, Hardcore
Liveset Info: Recorded @ In Qontrol 19/04/2008 Headquarters Area
Length Liveset: 01:19:02
Tracks: 17 (seventeen)
Download/Listen (via Soundcloud): LISTEN HERE
File Size: unknown
File Type: unknown
Release Year: 2014
Audio: Stereo
Sample Rate: unknown
More Information: Lady Dana - Soundcloud Page