Review: Guilty Pleasure Festival 2017

Ever since I was kid I loved euro dance. It all started for me with Eiffel 65, Aqua, and the Vengaboys. Eventually I started to play Dance Dance Revolution where I discovered Scooter, Cascada, the Italobrothers, and many many more. Growing up in the United States, although a land of many opportunities, I never had the chance to see any of my favorite euro dance artists. It was just literally my little friends and I in my parent’s basement playing CDs from the karaoke machine and dancing under the strobe light I got at Party City.

Finally, after all these years I had the opportunity to see the Vengaboys at Guilty Pleasure Festival in Amsterdam, and it was SO worth the wait. My friends and I arrived at the festival in the afternoon and first explored the grounds. The festival was full with 90s memorabilia such as Mario Kart, Donkey Kong, hula-hoops, and the limbo.

Just before the Vengaboys went on I noticed that there was an inflatable alligator in a pile of mud. Never having been the owner of an inflatable alligator, naturally I picked him up, named him Chester, took him with me and marched to the front and center of the main stage. When the clock struck 17:30 it was time! The main stage cleared and over the loudspeaker I heard a familiar sound, “Party people this is Captain Kim speaking welcome aboard Venga Airways. After take off we will pump up the sound system, cause… WE’RE GOING TO IBIZA!” AH its happening, its really happening! Then they came out and it was everything I ever imagined and more. I sung my heart out to all their classics, “Boom Boom Boom I Want You in my Room” , “Shalala lala”, “We Like to Party”, and lots more. Unfortunately they only played for 30 minutes, which went by way too fast, however as they were leaving the stage my friend and I gave them the kandi (American beaded rave bracelets) we made for them. Their set was so much fun and was full of smiling, cheesy dancing, and nostalgia. I still am unsure though if the Venga bus really exists since I did not get the chance to talk to them personally but I want to think it does.

Next up was Def Rhymz. I had never heard of him before but he was pretty unforgettable. A mix between Flavor Flav, Kayne West, and Borgore, Def Rhymz is quite the character. Although I did not understand any of the lyrics between the Dutch rapping and “ZAK! WAK! FLAK!” words it was very entertaining to watch everyone going crazy. Following this, was T-Spoon, which was a lot of fun especially going crazy to “Smiling”, nothing like some good happy hardcore. Speaking of happy hardcore, last but not least was the Party Animals. It was my second time seeing them and it was the perfect end to a perfect day. Of course on the way out I picked up another inflatable alligator (Lester) and carried them both all the way home on two trams and a train. Next up….Hardcore at Sea!