GERMAN techno pioneer Sven Väth made a very deliberate choice to begin his Dragon World Tour in Japan.
He was born 1964, the year of the dragon, which this year returned to the Japanese zodiac as Sven turned 60.
That birthday celebration was just one of several milestones this year. He tells us: “It’s hard to single out highlights because every place, every event had its own magic.
But one thing is certain: The Dragon danced – and its positive energy carried many people along.
The summer was filled with intense moments, open-air festivals, club shows and of course Sven’s monthly residency at Las Dalias and Akasha Club in Ibiza.
“There’s hardly anything more beautiful than starting an evening outdoors at Las Dalias, celebrating the sunset, and then diving into the night at the Akasha Club, where the energy truly explodes,” he says.
“What makes it so unique isn’t just the extraordinary setting and the incredibly appreciative crowd, but also the opportunity to play very long sets – up to ten hours.
“That’s rare in Ibiza and makes these nights unforgettable.”
The highlight of the summer was arguably the 25th anniversary of Cocoon on September 25. Held at Ibiza’s 528 venue, it was the first Cocoon event on the island in five years and felt like a grand reunion and celebration of dance culture.
The mouthwatering line-up included Richie Hawtin, Andre Galuzzi and Marcel Dettmann.
“What touched me the most was the devotion of the crowd,” says Sven.
“No smartphones, just music, dancing and a connection that is hard to put into words.
“Two dance floors, outstanding DJs, and a performance group full of positive energy made the night a milestone.
“The excitement and demand for more was so overwhelming that we are considering organising two such events next year.”
Sven’s spectacular summer season on The White Isle was crowned by him being named Best Techno DJ at the DJ Awards at Club Chinois.
The next highlight was his 60th birthday party in Mannheim, Germany, in October. Time Warp and his Cocoon team spent over a year preparing.
And as we’ve come to expect from the Cosmopop team behind Time Warp, meticulous planning, dedication and passion shone through with a carefully curated line-up of artists joining Sven on stage.
The theme of the event was Barbarella, the iconic 1960s science-fiction film.
Sven reveals: “In 1990 I and Ralf Hildenbeutel created Barbarella – The Art of Dance, an album paying homage to the film.
“In Mannheim our performance artists were dressed accordingly, and many guests drew inspiration from the film for their own outfits. The night was spectacular, the line-up was sensational, offering 12 hours of music that left nothing to be desired. It was a truly unforgettable experience.”
The next month brought a bittersweet moment, when Sven played his last set at Berlin club Watergate, which is closing at the end of this year.
“It was an emotional and sensational evening,” he says. “Surrounded by all my friends, fans, and music lovers who travelled to be there. Sadly, it’s disheartening to see more and more clubs in our scene having to say goodbye. The passage of time is leaving its mark on club culture as well [as me?].
“Young people aren’t as interested in club life and the culture that’s evolved from it, which is truly a shame. On top of that, landlords and real estate agents are driving up prices to levels that make it nearly impossible to sustain a regular club operation. This is leading to a noticeable shift in Berlin’s club scene.
“I want to thank Watergate for their love of music, their passion for running the club, and the joy and fun they’ve brought to all of us over the years.”
Topping off an unforgettable year, Sven’s 43-year career was honoured with a Bambi Award, Germany’s equivalent of an Oscar. Picking up the gong for Culture, he rubbed shoulders with fellow winners Robbie Williams, Kevin Costner and Bryan Adams at the ceremony in Munich.
Sven has also produced a book, 4 Decades Behind The Decks: A Journey Of Music, Magic and Euphoria. What began as a visual project during lockdown has evolved into a comprehensive retrospective of his career.
“I felt deeply inspired to write and tell the story of how it all began for me,” he says. “The book features contributions from many artists and friends who share anecdotes and stories that connect us. I have to say that a lot of brilliant minds worked on bringing this wonderful project to life. It truly is a trip through my last 40 years, captured in both images and words.”
Cocoon Recordings will also be releasing a retrospective of Sven’s work in February, including a previously unreleased remix of his hit Mind Games.
While this year has had its fair share of nostalgia, one thing is assured, Sven will continue building on the past, looking forward and pushing the boundaries of dance culture in 2025.
Pre-Order Sven Väth ‘4 Decades Behind the Decks A Journey of Music, Magic, and Euphoria’ HERE.
