So I spent last week in the city of Lucerne, Switzerland... it's an amazing, historic and beautiful tourist town, but not a real clubbing place. Ibiza it's not!
Still, it's been a while since I was last overseas, and being in Switzerland reminded me of how different the dance music scene is over there. It was so amazing to hear dance music everywhere - it's their pop music! In taxis, in stores, on the radio, on television, in restaurants, in hotel lobbies, in buses... in places where they would NEVER play dance music here. Of course, since it so rarely gets played ANYwhere, that's not saying much ;)
I didn't have much time to get out and sample the nightlife, but my hotel did happen to be directly across the street from one place... THE LOFT. I had to check it out, even though it meant I'd be heading over solo. Still, I had to see how a small European city in the middle of Switzerland parties!
It was a fairly small place: two bars, a dance floor and an upstairs catwalk that overlooked the whole area. Not much in the way of lighting or decor... mainly a huge disco ball, some traditional club lighting effects (nothing special) and these weird plant-looking things that hung down from the ceiling... they looked like the fake plastic seaweed you put in a goldfish bowl... ha
The place was okay, but what really impressed me was the crowd. It is just so amazing how it differs from The States. Literally EVERYONE in the place was dancing: guys, girls, black, white, gay, straight... it was awesome. Half the time, Boston clubs have about 25% of the crowd dancing, and 75% hanging back against the bar, tapping their toes like its a junior high Sadie Hawkins dance. I mean, WTF?
Not only that, but they danced WELL. Look, I like to think I know how to move... luckily, I missed the dancing-deficiency gene that usually accompanies the Y chromosome. But it was amazing to see so many people (especially guys!) who danced with bona fide steps, choreography, and like, thought! None just senseless bumping and grinding; people danced with intent, and with something in mind. And even the people (again, usually the guys!) who sucked... well, they danced anyway and even if they sucked, they sucked enthusiastically!
Anyway, it got me thinking... why IS it that Europeans treat dance music with so much respect? In the US it's the bastard child of the music industry... always getting the short end of the stick, lacking radio play, and getting scoffed at. What do you think explains the cultural difference?
I've got my own theories, but I'll wait to hear yours ;)
Talk to me, peoples!
JOHNNY
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