(Also known as love parade 2007, love-parade, Dortmund loveparade, love parade Dortmund, loveparade, parade of love, parade for love, Dortmund parade of love, love festival, love festival Dortmund)
Close your eyes - Imagine a free festival with over 1.2 million participants (2007), 1600 of the world’s top DJs, people dressed up or semi-naked as far as the eye can see. Now give everyone a whistle and ask them all to blow at the same time. ! You have just created every hectic dance filled moment of the Love Parade. Wherever it’s held one element remains constant. MAYHEM.
When Scheduled for July 19th 2007.
Where Dortmund. Typically Berlin, but they wouldn’t grant a permit so Love Parade 2007 had to relocate to Essen.
Rumours say that Love Parade has signed a 5 year deal with Essen Dortmund & 3 other cities to take turns in hosting the festival.
FACT For the first time ever, the international Parade will be on a Highway (B1 - one of the most driven roads in Germany). Adequate to this the Motto of this years edition is Highway to Love.
Why A very young festival, initially created in protest to East German communist regime and inspired by those who opposed the Berlin Wall. The pioneers of The Love Parade were the Underground movement led by Matthias Roeingh aka "Dr. Motte". This festival was a peace protest throught the medium of music with about 150 participants.In 2001 the festival saw a huge decline in numbers attending, this was due to a late change of dates. In 2004 & 2005 the parade was cancelled due to lack of funds. However in 2006, the parade was held with thanks to German Exercise Studio McFit.
Techno is the most popular form of music with Trance, House and Schranzt providing stiff competition. Originally Hardcore and Gabber music featured in the festival but now they have been ousted and have found refuge in the emerging Fuckparade.
Love parade is known for being an adult exibhitionsts playground as people sport skimpy clothes, alternative make-up and use toys and masks to interact. Many people use the oppourtunity for radical self expression (which may appear like practical jokes) like stacking bikes ontop of each other as high as possible.
The parade is often referred to as “the greatest amateur circus on earth”. The weekend the festival falls is usually a crazy time wherever it is held and I would recommend making it a 3 or 4 day event.
Trucks Typically there are 40/50 of these. These are usually sponsored by clubs or record labels and feature the local djs, these have the best atmosphere, hot dancers on top. Some people like to follow trucks whilst others stay in one place and soak each truck up as they pass.
The B-Parade Apparently there will be a rival street party in Berlin on July 21st. This is called the B-Parade and is being organized by some of the Love Parade former employees. They already have permission from the Local Authority.
Who Ravers unite! Anyone who likes electro music or dancing for a few days non-stop. This year expect a lot more people fro middle Europe and a lot less people from Eastern Europe. This is due to the new location.
Confirmed Dortmund Love Parade Techno & Trance Music Acts 2007 - Felix Kröcher, who was voted as Best National DJ 2007 (Raveline Poll) (DE)
What to wear Something light which you can feel slick in. Remember many people like to show off at the love parade so go as you please.
Where to stay & eat in Dortmund Dortmund is new to me so I can't recommend hotels, hostels, apartments to rent or even a campsite. I am also unfamiliar with the local restaurant scene in Dortmund. Desole.
DONT MISS THIS Ok, Dortmund Love Festival is a new experiment, so I don't want to predict the defining moments. In previous years, the conclusion of the festival Abschlusskundgebung, all trucks are connected to each other and set online to the statue of victory where the world’s best DJ’s are ready to play a half hour set. Previous DJ’s to see out the festival include Paul Van Dyk, Westbam, Drum Connection, DJ Rush, DJ Hell, Miss Djax and Chris Liebing.
Dangers & Annoyances If you have sensitive ears, this is not the festival for you. Speakers blaring megawatts of electro-music are mounted on trucks and will blow you away.
Love parade is the most crowded concert on earth so claustrophobics beware. There are a lot of drugs at the festival resulting in people overheating or dehydrating. There has been only 1 drug related death to date.
The Gay Scene Typically there is a great scene at the Love Parade, it’s a new city so just ask around.
Airports Dortmund has it’s own airport. Is easily accessible by road (God bless German roads), train & by bus.
Weather Hot and Sunny.
Festival Pig Fact The movie “Be Angeled” was filmed at the Loveparade 2000 with appearances from Lexy and the late Mark Spoon. The parade also features in the film “Chasing Liberty”. The largest parade was in 2001.