Silent disco makes some noise at Larkfest

   Crack your glow sticks kids; the house music scene has finally hit this year's Larkfest. Albany's first ever "Silent Disco" will take place during the festival one month from now on September 25th.

   A silent disco is a rave conducted through wireless headphones. The concept is that two DJ'S mix on the stage and then stream the music directly into the headphones. The partygoers can choose which DJ they would like to listen to by flipping a switch which changes the radio channel in their earpiece. The DJ's will each have their own channel.

By using headphones, a large crowd of people can dance to the DJ of their choice with virtually no noise to the outside world.

The disco will be held from 12 to 5 pm in a tent on the corner of Hudson Ave which will be closed off from Washington Park, and a small stage will be set up on the corner of South Lake and Hudson. The DJ's will switch out every hour in pairs of two's for a total of ten performances.   

   The lineup showcases local ris ing talent, including The Dark Flow, Eric Stewart, Jay Balance, Scott Siz, DJ Scooter, Milkdud, Robin Moreau, RekOne, and Envy and Ballistic.

Dreamy Productions, SINsation Sound and Gravity Entertainment are sponsoring the event, with "live visuals" provided by Roy Buckley.

  Nicole Bleichert, the manager of Dreamy Productions, said that the company purchased 200 wireless headphones specifically for the disco. The headphones will be handed out on a first come first serve basis and are free to use.

   "It's something new and different, and we hope people will try it," Bleichert said. "We're really excited to bring the techno/dubstep scene to Albany.  We are hoping we'll draw in the 21-plus crowd and combine them with a younger crowd for a good time."

   Silent discos have been popping up this year as electronic music makes its way into large festivals.  Some festivals that featured discos include Bonaroo and last month at Camp Bisco, where headliners The Dark Flow performed.  

    "It was so cool, there were 500 people in the disco tent and another 200 people waiting to get in (at Camp Bisco). Everyone was dancing their own way, and that's what great; it's impossible to look bad dancing to this music," said Bleichert.

   The Dark Flow is a collaboration of SINsation Sound and Gravity Entertainment owners Don Stone and Jason Demonic. Together the DJ and promo partners have been involved in the music scene in New York for over ten years.

   Tracks by the flow include an expanded, darker remix of Bassnectar's "Cozza Frenzy," which landed them their spot at Bisco, and "Quarks" which is energetic to start but will leave your head dizzy by the end from all the tempo changes.

   The disco at Larkfest is free and open to all ages. For more information, check out the event page on face book.