There are many ways to pay tribute to Georgian clubbing. Presenting a mere collage of ongoing events, reviews and other feedback would be enough to demonstrate its value in modern Georgian society. So, I would rather elaborate on the social and cultural role, status and the relevant aspects of Georgian clubbing that make this phenomenon most interesting for me.
Georgia is a small post-Soviet country which has faced more than one violent political regime, lived in a closed and isolated environment and faced many troubles on its way forward. People have been oppressed and deprived of self-expression for various reasons for decades here. Yet, not so long ago, Georgia started functioning as a sovereign country, searching for ways to gain economic security, but often hampered by a certain not very well-intentioned neighbor harshly interfering in Georgia’s local and foreign affairs.
The new generation is shaping itself while fi ghting a legacy of ugliness from the past; trying to liberate itself and heighten the quality of freedom to the level it desires. This new generation has access to any type of information and enjoys boundless opportunities of communication to create its own area of life.
This space is a certain alternative reality formed according to this generation’s taste. Clearly there is no place here for the attitudes that contributed to the feeling of isolationism and played a crucial role in creating this very reality.
On the other hand, the attitudes these people so keenly seek in this country, do flourish within this space, and so the picture is created in absolute contrast with the world left behind: friendly, harmonious, versatile, safe, free, normal; being such a rarity today.
DECEMBER 9, BASSIANI
BASSIANI: CONCRETE NIGHT ■ ANTIGONE
■ FRANCOIS X ■ SHLØMO ■ KANCHELI
And so a platform is created where people, along with humane principles, live through their unique experiences. Where they are discharged and recharged again, do what they want, open themselves as explicitly as they want, show sympathy towards each other, stay alone as much as they want.
And most importantly, they accept.
They demonstrate the precedents of acceptance.
They have ‘pro’ arguments for acceptance.
All this forms the basis for harmony where the new ways of living and dealing with the outside world are formed, transformed, and changed. Connections are established, including those which are unlikely to take place in ordinary life. Updated relations and their new forms transcend the walls of the club and are followed by important themes. There is readiness to form movements to support oppressed groups (sexual minorities, drug users).
Clubbers know so exceptionally well how hungry these people are for appreciation and peace, people for whom the whole country is nothing but closed shutters, with clubs the only window to put their heads out and take a full breath.
All in all, clubs and clubbing in Georgia, with their broad functional and cultural radius, with its simple or sacral moments, have a serious impact on society’s sensitivity, attitudes and priorities.
Clubs have a tremendous effect on the outcomes brought by different social platforms, playing the role of co-director. An alternative reality, which is a model and pre-requisite for the progress of the basic reality.
10 DECEMBER, KHIDI
KHIDI WEEKEND CIRCUIT NIGHT:
YYYY ■ PÄR GRINDVIK ■ MICHAEL
WELLS
Attempts to implant into the Georgian reality the recipes created, tried and liked by young Georgians raving underground or up in the sky, are not always welcomed. However, the source of inspiration and energy, both in clubs and in the street, are more than enough. This transforming energy feeds itself by setting both objectives and pace.
And clubs act as processors of this energy, making it possible to listen and observe change up-close. The process of shaping a future image for the country has already happened here. Accumulated energy is adapted, and clubbing in Georgia is a monitor and executor of the future.
You can see here today what this country will look like tomorrow.
16 DECEMBER, CAFÉ-GALLERY
GREENBEAM & LEON at CAFE-GALLERY
Looking through the lens of the future is fortunately one of the most mind-blowing and unforgettable experiences that a man can possibly have in today’s world.
This makes the industry the most romantic, serving as a source of inspiration for artists; a paradise for local audiences and musicians, and attracting the attention of the whole world towards this little and passionate country.
Thus, the contours of a strong economic foundation are emerging against a background seemingly very familiar to everyone.
This country has always had the greatest potential to create striking experiences on the ground; passion for being friends with aliens and making the visit of a guest an unforgettable memory; the nature cherished by the defi cit of welfare, as well as the succinct lightness, heaviness, mysticism and ambition of becoming a cultural and social center. Clubbing and clubs can become a flagship industry for the re-positioning of Georgia. It already is one of the best in the world.
24 DECEMBER, MTKVARZE
ROI PEREZ (PANORAMA BAR RESIDENT) • ASH / / / SIKHA • BERO
Expectation that this future is realistic is backed by many arguments.
The principal one, to my view, is the following: All that is brought about by the new generation, and modern times and its dominance will increase further.
The epicenter is occupied by the generation which thinks about novelties and elaborates ways to introduce them. Works. Creates. Set examples.
Takes over from blind and violent conservatism.
The advancement of the generation which is more humane, kinder, tolerant, full of progressive ideas, and especially, its wave of successful and “opinion-occasion-lifestyle” makers is irrevocable.
The number of people sharing this life pattern increases day by day and this, too, is an irrevocable process…
It’s clear that this country will go further in this way; will make stronger roots at the expense of diversifi cation of the industry, and, as the past experience gained in rather a short time period proves, will offer the world a very interesting and valuable story and good reasons to come to Georgia. It will also create a landmark and a school of electronic music.
Meanwhile, the world media easily, with jeweler’s accuracy, calls Georgia a place “where dance music is the soundtrack to social change”.
1 JANUARY, BASSIANI
BASSIANI / HOROOM: ■ ETAPP KYLE ■ ALEX.DO ■ ZITTO ■ KANCHELI ■ KVANCHI ■ HAMATSUKI
That’s how the transformation of the little post-Soviet country becomes one of the best spectacles in the world, and my grey town is converted to the world’s favorite destination.
It was heard just recently that the most popular online magazine Resident Advisor, which organizes the series of events “RA in Residence” (hosted by 12 selected clubs worldwide and lasting for one month in each club), will have its closing month in Tbilisi’s Bassiani (four events in February 2017).
(Bassiani) “is the area below the national football and rugby stadium in Tbilisi, which is one of the best scenes for electronic music in the world”- Resident Advisor.
SO, WHILE GEORGIA IS BEING FORMED AS A LIBERAL AND SAFE COUNTRY,CLUBBING IS BECOMING ITS VISIT CARD, MAKING GEORGIA A BETTER PLACE TO LIVE, WORK, ENTERTAIN, CREATE, RECREATE, WRITE AN ARTICLE, READ AN ARTICLE, BE A PATRIOT, BE A VISITOR, BE A LOVER, BE A FRIEND, COME, OR COME BACK…
Come. And you will come back.
With Love
Georgian Dance Music Scene
