KUKO: ALL NIGHT LONG AND FIESTAS PATRIAS

So today, "Fiestas Patrias" (National Holidays) officially started in Chile. Many people think we're celebrating our Independence Day, but actually, September 18th commemorates the First Government Junta, an institution formed to establish a provisional government before a more stable one could be established.

September 18th is a day where we listen and dance to cuecas, drink terremotos, and eat choripanes and empanadas. Well, it's actually two days that, in many cases, extend to three hahaha.

To be honest, for some time now I haven't felt particularly hyped about Fiestas Patrias. I drink very little and I have a tiny, so-so stomach, and those are basically the two things we do the most during these holidays. Also, terremotos are very deceiving. You think they won't do much damage since they're just pipeño (an artisanal wine), grenadine and pineapple ice cream — although some people add pisco or whisky too hahaha — but after the second one they kick you out of nowhere.

What I'm trying to say is that, for a long time, I haven't liked getting wasted, and I also hate spaces where there are too many drunk people because they tend to become very toxic and ready to fight for no reason.

The places where we celebrate are called "fondas". Here, people eat and drink A LOT — and it isn't cheap at all — but they also dance and listen to live music, mostly cumbia and rock.

So, to start these Fiestas Patrias, I went to see KUKO on his ALL NIGHT LONG WORLD TOUR at Basel Venue. That's why people were calling it "La Fonda del Kuko".

Since I've been moving from hard techno and schranz into more groovy stuff, I didn't know how I was going to feel on the dancefloor. Because if you know me, I like to dance... a lot. I love to feel the music guide me through a journey and let my body sync with it.

I arrived alone, some minutes after Kuko had started, and it didn't take me long to start moving along with the music. I just wanted to leave my hoodie at the coat check, buy a bottle of water and start dancing, but I had to wait for a couple of friends who were just arriving — Jordan and Paulina.

I have mixed feelings about Basel Venue. This year I saw Regal there and it was awesome, but I think Kuko needed a bigger space, with more lights and bigger screens. Something more like what Kobosil or Klangkuenstler had on their shows.

Cause that's the thing: if I'm going to see a DJ like Kuko, I'm expecting a show.

So, in that way, I felt a bit disappointed. But the music was so good that, in the moment, I cared very little.

I danced all night, except for a couple of moments when we went to the terrace to breathe some air because it was so hot inside. I gave away some stickers and met some cool people, showed them the website, and when we came back inside I ran into some other friends.

At some point I needed "un subidón", so I bought a tropical gin, and that was enough to keep the energy going.

It was a great night.

I love you daddy Kuko and FELIZ 18!