Synergy Project

Synergy Project

21 July, 2008
by: Lauren

It was with trepidation and a weird sort of curiosity that I decided to unleash my inner party kid at the renowned indoor festival ‘Synergy’ at SEOne. I’m not really one to go in for this whole hippy vibe. I don’t particularly like prancing around in baggy trousers, proclaiming love for my brethren or meditating in order to find peace with my inner child. But, I’m nothing if not an adventurer, so armed with a cluster of favourite friends I headed to the famous archways near London Bridge.

Now I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t a little bit tipsy when I arrived there (a few, swift vinos down Brick Lane had seen to that), but perhaps drunkenness explains why on arrival I honestly didn’t mind attacking the huge queue that faced me. A cacophony of sounds and endless street performers who had set up stage a various points along the queue kept us busy and interested for the next hour. (Yes, an hour, and I was on the guest list.) In the end I was a little bit sad to reach the front as I was just starting to get my groove on to some very tuneful beat boxing/bongo bashing mash up.

After the first few round robins, you know the score; checking out the rooms, getting my bearings, locating useful places such as dark corners and the loos, I was good to go and I’ve got to say, I bloody loved it. Every single room had a different vibe with varying lighting effects, and conflicting music assaulting my ears but, oddly, it was exciting. Weird people roamed everywhere, old men sang about world peace, cushions were scattered across the floor inviting those who’d overindulged to collapse in comfort. It was, to say the least, hedonistic.

Wandering around with my face painted, water in hand and friendly sorts all around I couldn’t help but feel content. This unique and eclectic event that combines DJs, VJs, performers, and artists from all corners of creativity in a massive charitable celebration: although it sound like hippy drivel, up close, it works.

Synergy further re-works the clubbing experience by almost transforming it into an educational tool, associating clubbing with the ideals of social justice through strong role from the entertainment industry. I even caught myself shouting in agreement with a long haired activist about the current state of affairs in the world, and trust me, that is SO not what I am like.

Now in its Fifth year, Synergy is definitely getting on a bit, but remains lively with a huge crowd and top names booked each month. I refused to leave till 7am the next day, and to be honest I probably could have carried on exploring this surreal event for a few more hours.

Combining a proper rave up with the unusual feeling that you might learn something, Synergy is definitely more than just a hippy mash up.

Click here to view the next Synergy event.

Lauren