u/Miss-Behavior-Life

I am evaluating options for Northcoast Afters. There is a Wuki show at Ela Nightclub on Friday night. I’m curious what others’ experiences are at this club.

TLDR: I avoid Tao; is Ela similar?

Context: I like Radius and Cermak Hall, Smoke & Mirrors, the Miramar in Milwaukee, Techno & Espresso events, Brownies n’ Lemonade events, and the wook / DnB rave and festival scene. Sound bar has been hit and miss for me - heavily dependent on who’s playing.

I value being able to get in and out of a restroom without wasting my night in long lines, being able to access complimentary water, and being able to access an outdoor smoking area (for my crew) when needed without having to leave the venue, and while experience enhancers are enjoyed I don’t drink alcohol. Oh, and security better see themselves as helpers and protectors, not ego inflated assholes.

I (female) usually dress like a candy raver, techno baddie, forest fairy, but not a club girl. Think doc martens, fishnets, a corset, and a flouncy miniskirt with a rave fan. I actually dance, and love to make my way around the room to rave mom those who need it, or to be the hottie that gets the nervous newcomers out to the dance floor.

I am often frustrated that I miss out on great DJs who get booked for Tao (about to ask for comparison here), because I really dislike the lack of PLUR, the money grab on beverage prices, the way you can’t take a break on a seat without buying a table, and little dancing there is because so many are just crammed into wall to wall people spilling overpriced drinks on each other. I’ve also been SA’d at Tao in the middle of the crowd multiple times. It would take a very special situation to get me to return there.

Here’s my concern: if I go based off what I see in socials, it looks like Ela might be a lot like Tao. And I am hosting a baby raver for Northcoast that I don’t want to take to Tao or a place like it.

So here’s the golden question: Given this background, will I regret going to Wuki at Ela? Or are the vibes better than Tao?

Also, those of us going from Northcoast or ARC straight to afters are going to be in festival attire with water packs - is this an issue at Ela? (In past, Polekatz hosted afters and security didnt know what to do about the water packs arriving and ended up juat having us show they were empty or check them with coat check.

Gimme a red light, yellow, or green light with your thoughts on Ela. And if there are clubs you DO recommend, please feel to share your positive experiences. Thank you!

I previously posted day zero first impressions of Force Fields; here is my review after the fest completed.

1. Bathrooms: The walk to porta potties was not bad from my particular camp site but from some it was quite far. This is offset with them providing the opportunity to rent a private porta potty. Also, there were no handwashing stations outside porta potties and this is a mist.

2. Showers: there were two concrete buildings with spacious showers and they closed for varying times for cleaning. While I appreciate the cleaning - the times were silly. They closed for 2 hours in the morning, and 2 hours in the afternoon. But why would you close for cleaning from say, 7-9am when people are typically showering, and from 1-3pm when people going to sets beginning in the afternoon are trying to get ready? Better shower cleaning times for an EDM fest would be around 9pm-11pm when headliners are playing and maybe 4-6am when people are least likely to be moving around for a shower. In addition, there was only one temperature setting and it was quite warm. Because there was no way to get cool water, the showers were steamy when it was already hot outside. This was especially horrible for people with sunburns. In addition, there were no bathrooms in or near the showers. There was nowhere to relieve yourself without backtracking a block or more to a porta potty.

3. Security protocols were weird: When entering from the Cosmic Acres campgrounds, attendees were verbally told to remove hats and glasses and to look into a camera for identification. No one should ever be told to take off prescription glasses and be told to keep walking into the venue with their glasses off. In addition, only verbal directions were given and there should have been a large easy to read sign indicating what people needed to do and to advise people of the flock cameras. We notice when entering from the Outer Bass side, while there may have been cameras there, patrons were not told to remove gear.

4. Camp: We loved that they drove through to make ice deliveries, water deliveries, allowed campfires inside a metal ring. Size of 18 x 40 was good. We had four adjacent campsites with multiple people arriving at different days and times. We had put up our tents near each other and positioned our vehicles around them to help shelter from wind. But our final person arrived with her RV late, and the security escort that led her to camp would not let her park on our 4-campsite block even though she had the proper pass, because one of the cars was already parked on a portion of the site “assigned to her” despite there being more than enough room (3x as much space as needed) to park with us. They instead relocated her to another campsite across the grounds. This broke up our group for no good reason.

5. Quiet Time: it was frustrating that shows end at 2am and quiet time began then. We come to these events to party, and for many of us that means hanging out all night. Maybe they should create campsite areas (closest to the stages?) that are exempt from quiet time so patrons can choose their options when booking a camp site.

6. Garbage: There were not enough trash cans in either the venu or the campground. No one at a concert should have to walk over 200 feet just to get to a trash.

7. Shade: There are not enough shade structures in the venue. Even a few more rows of hay bales in the back could have helped.

8. Light: the lights illuminating the Haylien statue outside the harvest stage were way too bright and unnecessary. It was a blinding at night while trying to watch a show.

9. VIP: viewing was no different from GA+ and amenities were basically hidden.

10. Stage congestion: the harvest stage should be flipped so the stage is on a long side of the building. This would help with crowd dispersion and give more people opportunities for viewing.

11. Vendor Access: it would be great to see a couple of vendors (maybe coffee and food) in the middle of the campground, like
    Near the Origins stage.

12. Water: we needed more water stations. There were very long lines, and not enough of them.

13. Lineup: Please add Drum & Bass to the line up.

Overall: 8/10.

I’m attending Force Fields Festival in northern Wisconsin this week. The fest is officially on Fri - Sat but they have preparties Thursday and opened the campgrounds Wednesday. Here’s my first impressions after setting up camp Wednesday night.

1. There seems to be nothing around here. Like nearest big box retailer appears to be a 36 minute drive away. Holy farm fields Batman!

2. The typical security issues ravers worry about in order to drive into camp were non-existent. We were asked to show our camping tickets, but did not have to submit to a search. It was easygoing and seemed to be locals or volunteers running the show. Note: we did see a Sherriff vehicle driving through camp at 8am.

3. They have someone in a 4-wheeler guide you directly to your campsite and show
   You the corners of it personally and answer any questions on site. They offer water delivery for RVs or SWIMMING POOLS!!! How cool. Up to 1500 gallons. They also offer to supply your campsite with a private porta potty (for a fee) if you want it. The camp spots are huge (compared to Electric Forest Good Life) - measuring 18 feet by 40 feet.

4. The PLURR / Wook vibes are already off the charts. Fest hasn’t even started yet. It’s kind-of a dub-step / heavy bass fest, (lineup includes Sippy, Zeds Dead, San Holo, Dr. Fresh, Of the Trees, Tape B, etc..) and even though I’m a DnB girl, the good vibes are so attractive! There were already worthy little renegades going all over camp last night.

5. Pricing was very fair. Campsite locations are reserved by specific location in advance (not first come first serve). This festival is going to expand exponentially as the word gets out. Very pleased so far. Other American EDM camping fests should be taking notes because these guys running Force Fields seem to be doing it right.

Early arrival night in the books. More to come.