We Took Our Y2K Digicam to 2much Festival in Paris

Words and photos by: Jude Jones

Edited by: Phoebe Hennell

A performer in a pink shirt and beanie faces a cheering crowd on stage at 2much Festival, raising one arm. Another person stands nearby, also gesturing to the audience as colorful stage lights brighten the dimly lit venue.

Getting to Paris’ 2much Festival was a small odyssey. Not only because I crossed the Channel to attend, but also for the fact it was held deep in the French capital’s Parc Floral, a mile walk through muddy paths and pine trees from the Château de Vincennes metro, already at the very end of the 1 Line on the other side of the city to where I was staying. Though as the saying goes, good things to those who wait.

2much Festival is the annual birthday party of French trance and hardbounce collective 2much, formerly La Darude. It is, in founder Die Klar’s words, “one of the most iconic parties in France and in Europe.” With its seventh edition’s lineup starring the likes of Berlin techno slut-pop siren Miss Bashful, it is hard to disagree – and Cold captured it all on a 2000s Sony camera dug up from one of our attics.

Two people are talking in a dimly lit nightclub at the 2much Festival. One person, facing the camera and holding a drink, looks surprised, while the other is seen from behind with only the back of their head visible.

A security guard in a black jacket labeled Sécurité Privée Patrol stands near a lively crowd dancing and socializing at the 2much Festival in a dimly lit club or concert venue.

“2much,” says Die Klar, “was founded in 2018 by myself, DJ Kwame and Alexia. We wanted to democratise trance and eurodance music in France, and bring in more pop and Y2K elements, as well as making the scene more inclusive.”

This ethos of inclusivity could be felt throughout. France has a unique, tight-nit and – despite the Parisian stereotypes – very friendly dance scene. In my broken French, I managed conversations with one girl who told me I looked like “Julian, le mec du groupe new-yorkais” (that is, Julian Casablancas of The Strokes) and three Bretons who travelled to Paris for the affair. When I told them I come from Manchester, one of them waxed poetic about his love of Teletech.

Two people pose at the 2much Festival, wearing colorful, edgy outfits with bold accessories. One has orange-pink hair in pigtails; the other rocks blue braids and striking makeup. A fire extinguisher is visible in the background.

A large crowd of young people dance and socialize at the lively 2much Festival, with some raising their hands in the air and others talking amongst themselves. The atmosphere appears energetic and crowded.

Musically, the night was an exercise in what’s the silliest song we can get people to dance to. Various remixes of LMFAO’s 2011 hit “Party Rock Anthem” played throughout the evening – my friend and I counted three instances. 2much Festival therefore marked a couple of personal milestones for me: the first time I’ve seen a crowd of hundreds all jumping in euphoria to the Kid’s Choice Award-winning tune, and the first time I’ve ever seen somebody dance the hakken to LMFAO. I’m hoping it also won’t be the last.

“The party scene in Paris is different,” Die Klar continues. “Over the last few years, a new generation of trance and hardbounce has taken hold across France. What separates Paris is the number of events. Every weekend, there are multiple different trance parties, bringing producers from across Europe to the city.

“Enthusiasm is high and trance 2.0 is now becoming a major staple of European electronic music.”

Two people posing together at 2much Festival—one in a pink bunny costume with a rabbit head hood and sunglasses, the other in dark clothing with orange sunglasses, smiling and holding a cup. People and lights fill the background.

A large illuminated sign reads DJ Schnake B2B Shanixx in red letters at a crowded indoor 2much Festival event, with people standing nearby and stage lights overhead.

In the next couple of weeks, 2much will be going to Rouen, a small medieval town most famous as the site where Joan of Arc was martyred and burnt, and Brussels, just over the Belgian border. Inevitably, they’ll also play more shows in Paris. I imagine they’ll also make an appearance in the city’s annual free party protest-cum-rave in summer, when hundreds dance through the capital’s streets in a boisterous effort to protect the right to party.

Paris might be most famous for its fashion weeks and pretentious bars haunted by Americans and models, but 2much Festival embodies the raucous underbelly that the city often conceals, something grassroots, care-free and unashamedly fun.