Decibel Open Air 2023
An Electronic Immersion in Florence
Decibel Open Air 2023: An Electronic Immersion in Florence
Decibel Open Air, a festival that has left an indelible mark on Florence for five consecutive editions, triumphantly returned in early September, providing electronic music lovers with a truly unforgettable experience featuring an impressive international lineup.
This world-renowned festival, held in the beautiful city of Florence, is a monumental experience in terms of size, scale, and scope. With a vast space of 100,000 square meters, located just 20 minutes from the city's historic center and near Peretola Airport, it becomes a paradise for electronic music enthusiasts. Despite its ephemeral duration, limited to a dizzying 12-hour schedule, from noon to midnight, it manages to attract a passionate crowd of around 50,000 people. While most attendees are Italians, borders blur, and music fans from neighboring countries, especially Germany and Spain, join this vibrant musical celebration.
With an impressive 93% of tickets sold in advance, the three stages started promptly with a selection of renowned artists. Paco S Less from Naples, Cora Kerj, and the promising Italian duo Peter/Feela kicked off the party, showcasing the dedication and knowledge required to succeed in the world of electronic music. These DJs are living examples that training and study are essential to reach the big stages, a valuable reminder that success is not achieved without effort and dedication.
The music continued to flow through the stages with performances by Dov'è Liana, Mattia Trani, Fivep, Klaus, and Pôngo live, followed by Meduza, Brina Knauss, and the veterans Camelphat. On the Zamna stage, which would change its name to Social Music City on Sunday, the charismatic Folamour took the audience on a musical journey that spanned from classics of the past to the latest compositions from his 'Manifesto' record project. Energy and fun were guaranteed, and the audience surrendered completely to the music.
Trym, a Parisian DJ blending hard dance and hard trance, was enthusiastically received by the audience. Oguz, one of the stars of the first day, shook the Resonance tent with his energetic hard techno, unleashing a dance frenzy among the devoted crowd. This genre, which dominated much of Decibel's lineup, reflects the growing popularity of more intense and energetic electronic music.
Despite the prevalence of hard techno, this edition's lineup promised musical diversity to cater to all tastes. In a quieter frequency, the audience had the opportunity to enjoy the set of two of the three members of WhoMadeWho, Tomas Høffding aka Bon Homme and Tomas Barfod. This Danish band, with two decades of experience, demonstrated their versatility, fitting in at both electronic music festivals and rock and indie events, such as Denmark's Roskilde or the iconic Glastonbury in England.
Before nightfall, there was a moment of tacit consensus among most attendees: head to the Jager stage at dusk to witness the performance of the supergroup Moderat. The music never stopped, and Boris Brejcha took the stage after Moderat, delivering his infallible set. The German, aware of his success, once again demonstrated his ability to keep the audience enchanted with his music.
Sunday, with almost all tickets sold out, became the festival's star day. The twenty-two artists on the lineup quickly took turns between the three main stages, while the wind raised suspended dust. Artists who performed at noon, such as Roberto Pagliaccia, Sara Mozillo, The Florentian Cabaret, Earthlife, Raven, Milandra Jr, Olympe, and Honeyluv, warmed up the atmosphere under the radiant sun.
Ukrainian DJ and producer Daria Kolosova, known for her performances at Berghain, Fabric, and Bassiani, pumped up the crowd's energy, which was already in full boil by five in the afternoon. Kolosova was followed by Adiel, Charlie Sparks, Anfisa Letyago, and Dyen, while a few meters away, heavyweights like Marco Faraone, Amémé, Ilario Alicante, and Deborah de Luca did what they do best: make people dance like crazy.
A special moment of this edition was the presence of two urban artists, Lazza and Salmo, who initially seemed not to fit Decibel's musical lineup. Despite initial reservations from some attendees, thousands flocked to see their performances on the Jager stage. Both artists adapted and offered a unique fusion of trap and techno rhythms, pleasantly surprising the audience.
This slight detour was a prelude to the most crowded set of the weekend, delivered by Paul Kalkbrenner. The German has perfected his live act over the years and enjoys it as much as his audience, conveying his passion for every vocal sample and beat he has created himself.
Jamie Jones, who filled Amnesia Ibiza throughout the summer with his Night of The Jaguar event, closed the Social Music City stage, skillfully overcoming technical issues that arose.
To close out Decibel Open Air 2023 on a high note, Amelie Lens took over the main stage. The Belgian DJ, an essential figure in the electronic music scene for several years, was on the verge of not making it to her performance on time due to flight problems from Ibiza. Despite controversy surrounding her pregnancy, Lens delivered a passionate performance and candidly defended herself against negative comments, asserting her right to continue working while expecting her child. Her experience sheds light on the crucial issues that women in the music industry face and their right to pursue their careers while starting a family.
Electronic music is a universal language, as demonstrated on the vast Florentine plain during the last summer heatwave of the season. In events like this, the goal is to leave the audience craving for more. And in this case, that ambition was perfectly fulfilled. The organization is already working on planning Decibel Open Air 2024 and expects to reveal more details in the coming months. The festival is not only a testament to the universal passion for electronic music but also a reminder of the importance of diversity and inclusion in this vibrant community of music lovers. Decibel Open Air 2023 will surely be etched in the memory of all who attended as an unforgettable sonic journey."
