MAIN #6 - PLAN B ! / 5. to 7. October 2012, Avignon, France
category: parties [glöplog]
Got wasted, had fun, released a tune, met old and new friends from the scene, puked in my hotel suite. Good times.
I should probably leave it at that, but.. I must say that the event felt more like a scene-meeting at a pool party instead of a demoparty and to be perfectly honest I wasn't entirely happy with that. The atmosphere of creative minds colliding just wasn't there. Mentally, I took nothing home from the event in the way I usually do from demoparties. The inspiration and the drive to create just wasn't present.
That being said, I had fun and tons of it and I definitely don't regret going! But the MAiN "Splash" will probably be a one-off for me.
Oh, and the obligatory first-world problems:
1.) Audio. The PA sucked and was played way too quiet during the compos (during dj sets this didn't seem to be a problem somehow). Also, it was located in a different space than the screen which was rather wtf-worthy. Maybe make componight a compoday/-afternoon if you're so afraid of the neighbours?
2.) Service at the bar. It was slow and confusing. The people behind the bar should focus on serving the food / drinks instead of chatting with each other or their random friends or idly staring at infinity ignoring the customers. I risk sounding like a dick for whining about this but really, it was that bad at times. It's also understandable that they can't work like machines since the two same persons seemed to be there throughout the whole party but since you can't bring your own drinks, I'd like to be able to buy some at the party place easily then. Wish I had had the foresight to hide a booze stash outside..
Anyhow, thanks a lot to the organizers for the party. I still can't figure out how you made this happen without anyone drowning. Guess intimidating people with docd is a working method.
I should probably leave it at that, but.. I must say that the event felt more like a scene-meeting at a pool party instead of a demoparty and to be perfectly honest I wasn't entirely happy with that. The atmosphere of creative minds colliding just wasn't there. Mentally, I took nothing home from the event in the way I usually do from demoparties. The inspiration and the drive to create just wasn't present.
That being said, I had fun and tons of it and I definitely don't regret going! But the MAiN "Splash" will probably be a one-off for me.
Oh, and the obligatory first-world problems:
1.) Audio. The PA sucked and was played way too quiet during the compos (during dj sets this didn't seem to be a problem somehow). Also, it was located in a different space than the screen which was rather wtf-worthy. Maybe make componight a compoday/-afternoon if you're so afraid of the neighbours?
2.) Service at the bar. It was slow and confusing. The people behind the bar should focus on serving the food / drinks instead of chatting with each other or their random friends or idly staring at infinity ignoring the customers. I risk sounding like a dick for whining about this but really, it was that bad at times. It's also understandable that they can't work like machines since the two same persons seemed to be there throughout the whole party but since you can't bring your own drinks, I'd like to be able to buy some at the party place easily then. Wish I had had the foresight to hide a booze stash outside..
Anyhow, thanks a lot to the organizers for the party. I still can't figure out how you made this happen without anyone drowning. Guess intimidating people with docd is a working method.
Did exactly what it said on the box! Perfect way to spend the last days of summer before going home to a depressing 10 degrees and rainy weather.
I signed up for this party under the impression that it was more of a get-together than a serious demoparty, and it was exactly that. A brilliant way to sneak in an extra weekend of brilliant weather with friends at the end of summer. Very chilled and relaxed atmosphere, and a much needed break.
The audio situation was annoying, but I understand this was due to noise complaints from adjacent villas, it may have also been turned down by the villa staff (it was quite loud where the speaker was located, near to the bar). An afternoon demo compo wouldn't have worked due to the sun obscuring the screen, but perhaps some low-power speakers set up next to the screen would have improved the situation without causing any additional complaints from the neighbours.
The network setup was adequate for our needs (voting, occasional IRC/FB/Pouet), although we occasionally had problems connecting to the wifi and some DNS issues. The wifi coverage was excellent, extending all the way to the tents.
There were no significant delays to the scheduled timetable, the party organisation was excellent.
I think everybody is aware of areas where the party could be improved, in my opinion the biggest area of improvement is with the venue itself and the staff: I will add a few points here for the record:
- Toilet facilities, the outdoor toilets should have been available from the start, and it would have been good if the indoor toilets would have been repaired instead of just closed off. The replacement outdoor toilets were not in good order, and the only shower/sink were broken.
- Bar service: It was a bit strange that the menu was in English, yet asking for the items on the menu was often left with a confused response. Having said that, the food was generally good and the beer was cold :)
- Breakfast and free meal: More choice would have been welcome for both.
- Table service: Generally empty drink glasses/bottles were promptly collected, but I was a bit disappointed that the tables hadn't been cleaned between meals - the remnants of Saturday's evening meal still present on the table during breakfast on Sunday.
Big thanks for the organisers and especially H2o for making this happen - and also for helping out with the taxis, and other things that aren't immediately apparent.
The audio situation was annoying, but I understand this was due to noise complaints from adjacent villas, it may have also been turned down by the villa staff (it was quite loud where the speaker was located, near to the bar). An afternoon demo compo wouldn't have worked due to the sun obscuring the screen, but perhaps some low-power speakers set up next to the screen would have improved the situation without causing any additional complaints from the neighbours.
The network setup was adequate for our needs (voting, occasional IRC/FB/Pouet), although we occasionally had problems connecting to the wifi and some DNS issues. The wifi coverage was excellent, extending all the way to the tents.
There were no significant delays to the scheduled timetable, the party organisation was excellent.
I think everybody is aware of areas where the party could be improved, in my opinion the biggest area of improvement is with the venue itself and the staff: I will add a few points here for the record:
- Toilet facilities, the outdoor toilets should have been available from the start, and it would have been good if the indoor toilets would have been repaired instead of just closed off. The replacement outdoor toilets were not in good order, and the only shower/sink were broken.
- Bar service: It was a bit strange that the menu was in English, yet asking for the items on the menu was often left with a confused response. Having said that, the food was generally good and the beer was cold :)
- Breakfast and free meal: More choice would have been welcome for both.
- Table service: Generally empty drink glasses/bottles were promptly collected, but I was a bit disappointed that the tables hadn't been cleaned between meals - the remnants of Saturday's evening meal still present on the table during breakfast on Sunday.
Big thanks for the organisers and especially H2o for making this happen - and also for helping out with the taxis, and other things that aren't immediately apparent.
Paela makes me disgust, I get some meat.
We got back home last night; everything went perfectly fine. Thank you, Markus, for everything! We can hardly say how much we enjoyed the few more summer days by the pool. THANK YOU!
Awesome party. Yes, there were things about the venue that weren't ideal, but on the flip side it was the venue that made the party what it was. Loved the pool, loved playing volleyball, loved the fact I didn't even feel the need to turn on my laptop for more than about 30 minutes and still saw some awesome demos, listened to some great music and got to know a few more people from the scene.
Also, I'm insanely jealous of you guys that still have summer at this time of year!
Also, I'm insanely jealous of you guys that still have summer at this time of year!
Concerning the bar: Just pointing to the drink/food you wanted on the menu sheet worked somehow - although they seemed to understand "jün töniq" quite well ;)
Apart from that, the party was relaxing - a pool for the day and good djs at night, not to speak about the yummy and vast paella (despite me being not a great fan of seafood) and of course the unexpectedly great amount of rather good compo entries.
If there will be another splash count me in =)
Apart from that, the party was relaxing - a pool for the day and good djs at night, not to speak about the yummy and vast paella (despite me being not a great fan of seafood) and of course the unexpectedly great amount of rather good compo entries.
If there will be another splash count me in =)
thank you for your efforts! that party was awesome. please continue.
Wish I could have paid you guys a visit, it's actually close to where my parents, brother and sister are living but well, didn't work for this year.
kaneel, i was hoping to see you at main :(
my girlfriend was working during the weekend, couldn't afford, either find, a nanny for 2 complete days.
ah, you should've just taken your baby with you to the party
Let's just pretend we're NOT having this discussion :)
More seriously, I'll consider it next year when she'll be older.
More seriously, I'll consider it next year when she'll be older.
I'v just spotted this van in front of our office (Budapest/HUN)
@pohar :)
so, main 2013 happening or not?
nosfe: I don't think so. But maybe they will anounce it in october ? haha.
@pohar beware it's a trap :)
I can still see them every week. Plz help! :)