Enjoyed this set yesterday while soldering. Good good set. That thumbnail image is epic too. What an honor.

I agree and totally relate with everything you've said about Labyrinth Ben, I feel blessed to have experienced it myself let alone played there. You're fortunate to have been twice! Checking the mix....

Holy Shit I can't believe I found this live set!! I was there!! Thank you!!

Track list and pictures:

http://tropical-house.com/labyrinth07/labyrinth.htm

Before there was Soundcloud I posted my sets on a London-based electronic music discussion group called "4four."  Around February 2007 I posted a set there from a guest spot I did on Frisky Radio.  The next month I received an email from a promoter in Japan who asked if I was interested in coming there to play.  Well of course I was very interested but I don't hold my breath on such offers, knowing that one pans out for maybe every 4 that don't.

This one panned out fantastically well into a weeklong trip to Japan and the most amazing festival experience and dj experience of my life!  From the friendly people that picked me up at Narita airport to the dance marathon (most I have danced in my life) over 3 days and nights and a lineup that included Adam Beyer, Minilogue, Three, Donato Dozzy, Dave Mothersole, D-Nox, Alex Smoke, Aril Brikha, Cobblestone Jazz, Surgeon, Ryan Elliot and more, to the final days hanging out together in Tokyo, this trip was a life-changing experience.  It was right after the first Tropical campout and totally inspired me to keep doing Tropical in an outdoor setting.  Can't say enough about it, how well it was organized, how well the artists were treated, how amazing the crowd was, or the 48-cabinet Funktion One Sound system that tickled our ears.  An absolute delight!

So getting booked here both in 2007 and 2008 as a very underground - ie less famous - artist than pretty much every other international dj on the bill is one of my top life accomplishments :)  I think I am overall a much better dj in 2013 than in 2007 but this was a party I went all out in my preparation for and I would still be proud to play this set today.  

Timing-wise this was around 4am-6am Sunday morning, I think my set was actually 3am-6am but the first hour did not get recorded.  I played after Surgeon, and before Aril Brikha, through the sunrise, with the first part in darkness and last hour in light, you will feel the change in the music I'm sure :)

Enjoy this set from the most enjoyable party imaginable :)

Ben Annand Live at Labyrinth Festival, Gunma, Japan, September 16, 2007

I hope you enjoy my music and how I mix it.
For bookings contact benannand@gmail.com // gunita@listedbookings.com

Upcoming Confirmed Dates

Oct 7 - Infinite Energy (Tesla Coil Show and Dance Party) San Diego at 
Encore
Oct 20 Gorg-O-Mish Afterhours, Vancouver BC Canada
Oct 21 - Spooky Forest, Darrington, WA
Oct 27 - Howl 20-Year Anniversary, Portland, OR
Nov 3 - Tropical Tour Sacramento, CA
Nov 12 - Secret Sauce Sundays, Eugene, OR
Nov 25 - Tropical 25 Year Anniversary, LA, CA
Dec 31 - Tropical NYE 2024 - Elevated House Party in the Hills of LA
Biography:

In his zone from deep house to techno, Ben Annand pairs impeccably smooth mixing skills with a dynamic style that keeps the music moving, artfully playing with breakdowns and spending most of his time in the mix.

“For me, a great mix is the interplay of 2 unique pieces of music, creating something greater than the sum of the parts - and a great set weaves those mixes into a musical flow you can’t help but lose yourself in on the dance floor.”

Ben fell in love with dancing and rave culture in 1995, and learned to mix in 1996. Just 2 years later he became resident dj at the famed Moontribe Gathering, and started his own production company, Tropical. The first half of his career was mostly focused on DJing abroad, with 13 trips to Moscow’s Propaganda club, travel across Russia, Spain, and Mexico, an appearance at Wiggle at Fabric in London and two at the Labyrinth Festival in Japan.  

In more recent years, Ben Annand became a top West Coast festival DJ, and recently played a standout set at his 5th consecutive Lightning in a Bottle (CA). He has also appeared at Sunset Campout and Desert Hearts (CA), Oregon Eclipse (OR), Photosynthesis and Cascadia (WA), Shambhala and Motion Notion (BC, Canada).

As organizer of Tropical, he's donated over $32,000 to charity, hosted zero-waste events in Hawaii, and presented gender-balanced dj lineups.

Whatever his project,, Ben Annand is always contributing, and always thinking outside the box.

Comments

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