Dave Clarke criticises DJs playing pandemic parties: "This is only about their ego and their fee"

Dave Clarke has expressed his disappointment with “The Scene” for organising parties in Europe during the pandemic that are not socially distanced or enforcing safety measures such as masks, and criticised DJs who are playing them in a Facebook post.

He called the DJs “fucking idiots” who are “just doing this for ego and profit”, noting that the coronavirus is still rife on the continent and these parties could actively contribute to its spread, with cases recently spiking in cities such as Paris and Antwerp which have hosted raves.

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The Amsterdam-based artist also said these events are damaging the reputation of dance music and “give ammunition to authorities to further delay events coming back”, adding: “despite feeling pragmatic that perhaps small events could come back this year, I severely doubt if any major festival will happen within the central European block next year either”.

“We all miss playing, but to play these events as an international DJ of repute has put down our industry in the eyes of those that look for any reason to not make it easy,” he said.

The Business Teshno Twitter account has been sourcing clips of raves that have taken place in Europe and documenting them on social media, including Tale Of Us, Adam Beyer and Amelie Lens playing in Italy.

See Dave Clarke’s full post below.

Patrick Hinton is Mixmag's Digital Features Editor, follow him on Twitter