[Tragedy] Reflecting on a Psytrance Artist's Death: Musicians and Events in the 2020s [Sustainability]

This happened a little while ago, but a tragedy occurred in Mexico.

A crowdfunding campaign has been started to have DJ Perplex’s body flown home. https://t.co/6ODmL6vvzQ

— DJ Mag (@DJmag) July 7, 2019

Psytrance DJ Perplex was reportedly shot dead by an attendee while playing at a club in San Luis Potosí, Mexico. The motive is said to be unknown.

In an unsafe place, a human being providing entertainment is suddenly killed by an idiot. It is an utterly senseless event.

So this time, I will discuss music and the violence that sometimes occurs where it is played, with plenty of personal opinion and, at times, without mincing words.

Two Incidents Where Attendees Attacked Performers

When I saw this news, I remembered two particular incidents.

The Murder of Pantera's Guitarist

To tell the truth, in the past I loved heavy metal and often went to events featuring international artists visiting Japan.

One of those acts was the super-heavy metal band Pantera. Then came the tragedy of guitarist Dimebag Darrell being shot dead by an attendee while performing in Ohio, USA.

An Attendee Attacked Vini Vici While They Were Playing in Japan

It was not a murder, but at the 2016 Solstice Music Festivel (SMF), a Japanese attendee invaded the stage during a performance by psytrance heavyweights Vini Vici, causing a temporary interruption.

Great Music Attracts People, Including Idiots

Average music is boring and does not attract people, but great music does.

And as the number of people it attracts grows, idiots inevitably become part of the crowd.

That is what large groups are like, so it cannot be helped.

In other words, commercially successful music risks attracting some kind of attention from idiots.

Mark Chapman's murder of John Lennon demonstrates that.

Genres That Evoke Violence Can Also Provoke It

Unfortunately, genres that evoke violence often also provoke violence.

Some people may find this upsetting, but I believe it is a fact. The reason is that violent expression and atmosphere become imprinted in the subconscious through repeated listening.

In dance music, these are probably the relevant genres.

Outside dance music, heavy rock, heavy metal (thrash metal), and alternative rock with negative lyrics and a strong sense of decadence also fit.

That is why measures such as America's Parental Advisory and Japan's R-15 restrict audiences who cannot exercise self-control.

Creative activities should not shrink themselves around restrictions on expression, and sometimes content may need a provocative message.

However, we must also remember that this carries risks.

How Can We Run Safe Events?

My conclusion is these two measures.

Set Event Admission at ¥30,000 or More

As the recent rise of giant festivals shows, stadium-sized crowds have lately been regarded as desirable, but I want to challenge that.

With that many people, one or two people who commit violence or misconduct will naturally be among them.

My proposal, therefore, is to set the minimum admission price for every event at ¥30,000 or more. In other words, cater to customers who use VIP or higher-tier admission at Ultra Japan and EDC JAPAN.

The reason is that

Japan in particular will become increasingly polarized between wealthy and poor people.

Public safety naturally worsens in countries where poverty grows, so carelessly holding events accessible to poor people could lead to a tragedy like Perplex's.

Wealthy people are also always a small minority.

Therefore, techno and house, which retain their strengths even on smaller dance floors, are the appropriate genres.

Introduce Advanced Security Systems Using AI and Blockchain

It is not an immediate solution, but AI is unquestionably necessary for future crime prevention.

Admission would be strictly determined based on personal credit scores. Inside the venue, surveillance cameras and drones would use biometric authentication information to ensure suspicious movements do not go unnoticed.

Suspicious behavior would be classified by severity, and security robots would act as bouncers to police it. Imagine the Stormtroopers or droids in Star Wars to get the picture.

As I also write in the article below, I want people to start acquiring big data now to protect the future scene.

[Shibuya Contact Tokyo] What's Strange About Clubs in Japan's Galápagos Scene [Keep Gropers Away] June 16, 2019

Summary

That is what I wanted to discuss this time.

My own proposal to “SAVE THE DANCEMUSIC” is to choose your customers and use technology.

Frankly, even now, the image of festivals, clubs, and dance music in Japan is worse than you might think, whatever the situation overseas.

But I cannot accept great music dying because of that.

I would be glad if this prompted each person who loves dance music to consider how to make it sustainable.