- Tokyo 24 Nov 2001.
KOXBOX does not need an introduction for their 2001 tour of Japan. The Solstice Music Festival this year, which I had previously attended, made me stand up and take notice of this powerful hard hitting group. This event was to be held at Differ Ariake, a renowned venue for psy trance events and upon arrival I could see why. The angelic statue almost cathedral like entrance gives it an air of craziness, something most venues should look into - a theme, not just a new cheesy piece of clubland. Also being outside the hub of Tokyo''''s clubbing district such as those found on the Yamanote Line, Differ Ariake has a spacious dancefloor with chillout area capacity.
When I arrived Ryo''''s familiar sound was oozing out the amp and speakers, warming up the crowd which was steadily coming through the doors anticpating the psychadellic feeling of the artists to come. Ryo has established himself with the Solstice Music label and has become a prolific mainstay of almost every main psy/goa trance event. I took my time around Ryo`s set to survey the very Solsticesque decorations, bringing me back to the Solstice Music Festival in nostalgia. The UV light brings out the best in these decorations in particulat the fluro string constructions hanging from the ceiling, which twisted and turned throughout the evening.
It was only during Dimitri D.K.N.`s set that my mind became completley engaged with the 5 VJ screens set up behind the DJ in a cross like layout. The images portraid created much imagination - a very good job done by M.M. Delight and Savka who controlled these visual effects throughout the night. Dimitri''''s spinning greatly complemented the VJ display and once again he didn''''t fail to please the eager crowd. Some of which had seen him previously play at the Solstice Music Festival this year and the TIP World Tour.
Then, when the music suddenly died, KOXBOX appeared, to applause and appreciation from the crowd as a welcoming for the beginning of their set. At the time I couldn''''t figure out how they could tweak their music to make it more mind enhancing than the previous artists, however they did. Oh boy how they did. It was as if the volume level or some sort of amazing effect was missing beforehand...the set was amazing. Being a personal fan of the Dragon Tales album, I awaited the crowd reaction to Stratosfear (Stratosfierce) and when it came - it was maginificent. Many shouts of "Loving Life!" and "Saiko!" came from the crowd in a frenzy of dancefloor zaniness. Ian Ion left the duo for Frank-e to continue the party and with which the tired and weary bodies would get no rest.
KOXBOX are really a class act and having leading the 90''''s trance circuit, they really know how to lift that exra notch for the ticket holders pleasure. A fantastic event, let''''s hope to see them again in the VERY near future.