We chat with Sam Hill who has been involved with Chemistry for the last ten years! Come have a read and find out a bit more on the history and future of this leading night life brand.
1. How many Chemistry events have you been involved in and when was the 1st?
Chemistry is heading into its 10th year which is an incredibly long time for a nightlife brand to survive and remain popular. The first one was on the 6th of July 2001 and coincided with the inaugural Chemistry CD.
2. How did Chemistry come into being? Can you give us a little history about the event?
The amount of money that was being spent on international djs and brands in the early 90s was becoming so expensive that it was leaving very little left over in the budget for production. There was also a growing discontentment with what the overseas djs were playing as they are more accustomed to playing European arenas. We just decided that if we spent a lot of money on our own brand whilst giving the public the best of local djs and production then it was a positive step in the right direction. With a larger production budget for lasers, lighting, vjs, venues, props etc it was evident from the first event that we were onto something very special.
3. Has Chemistry always been an all-local line-up or have there been internationals?
The brand has always been about embracing local djs and producers and giving them a platform to perform on but there have been some international guests over the years. Usually they are hand-picked to help emphasize the brand and where its at musically. At the end of the day though Chemistry is about the local talent.
4. Who were the internationals? Which was your favourite?
Steve Hill, Agnelli and Nelson, Pete Wardman, Dave Lea and more recently Claudia Cazacu and Audrey Gallagher have all graced the Chemistry stage. I think as far as performers go its hard to beat Steve Hill although Agnelli and Nelson were also superb.
5. Chemistry has been held in quite a few different venues? Which venue have you found gives the best party atmosphere?
To be honest that is a hard one as all the venues we have used have been really good. St James would probably be my personal favourite although that’s probably more due to the fact that its gone and wont be used anymore. The railway station Chemistry was very unique and a one off event which was really popular due to its iconic location and its earlier opening and closing hours. We had to shut at 3am to get the railway station back to a working order for the first train to depart at 6am. Its current home, the Auckland town hall is also a magnificent venue and very iconic. When the town hall is at capacity its hard to beat.
6. Do you have a favourite Chemistry moment?
I think it would be the one with Agnelli and Nelson + Steve Hill. For some reason there was an energy in the crowd that night that will be remembered for a long time.
7. Have you ever had Chemistry at Chemistry? :)
haha
8. What is the crowd like at Chemistry? Is it different from any other big dance party?
I think with large scale events they are only as good as the music. That’s primarily why people come. Sometimes on other events the internationals can sometimes be really good but in general a lot of them can be very boring. With mainly local dj lineups playing at Chemistry events we are very confident that they will deliver the best music possible as local djs know what the locals want to hear more so tha an overseas visitor as we have our own unique sound.
9. Chemistry is always a popular event. How many people generally turn up? What is it about the Chemistry formula that keeps people coming back?
Usually between 2500 people and 4000 people is a fairly accurate account of numbers at a Chemistry dance party. I think the “chemistry” between the production, lighting, and music in essence is the main reason why people have always come back and the numbers are still very high ten years later. People vote with their feet and if they didn’t enjoy themselves it would have died off years ago.
10. It’s Chemistry’s 10th Anniversary – What would be your top 10 Chemistry dance tracks of the decade?
RANK1 – Airwave
DELERIUM – Silence
ENERGY 52 – Cafe Del Mar
SVENSON & GIELEN – Beauty Of Silence
SIGNUM – What Ya Got 4 Me
THE THRILLSEEKERS – Synaesthesia
TIESTO – Flight 643
BT – Flaming June
THE AGE OF LOVE – Age Of Love
VINCENT DE MOOR – Fly Away
11. Any tips for newbies to the event?
Come early, stay late, be open minded and have fun!