It’s in Dutch, but it’s also in sane!

On a monday morning we called Arne Koefoed, head of ideas of the company that produces the whole Rock ‘n Rave Circus: Wink. We were still a bit tired from the weekend (when we say ‘a bit’ we mean ’snoring sounds’), and Arne talked like a tuned up scooter because he is a very, very busy man. But he did make jokes in between, which was nice, because that gave us some time to keep up with writing down his answers… pfffieeww…

Arne, first of all, how did this whole Rock ‘n Rave thing come to start?
Most of the time we receive concrete assignments by companies with a clear idea and budget. The Rock ‘n Rave Circus was quite an unconventional assignment for us, for we teamed up with Joost van Bellen from the start of this project. Like real partners. The question was how we could provide an event as good as possible to celebrate his 25 years as a DJ. After our first brainstorm session it became clear we needed a sponsor.

So you went to Diesel.
Yes. We made a presentation of the concept, Joost perfected the text and we asked graphic designers Hotel to design the look and feel in order to create a succes story that would attract a sponsor. We presented this to Diesel, who at first were in fact not able to support us, because they already booked a large event this year. But they cancelled that in order to become our partner for the Rock ‘n Rave Circus. Which was great, because they are a strong partner that immediately set the standards. Diesel is not only a big bag of money on this project. They are real partners and care for the PR, think of every detail, provided Bas Kosters with basic material, scouted MeloManics and maintain the quality that you can expect from them.

Can you tell us something about the inspiration and concept of the Rock ‘n Rave Circus?
Well, it was really a partnership between Wink and Joost van Bellen. From the beginning it was obvious how it should be. It had to be a circus, in the broadest sense of the word. It had to be a contemporary translation of rock ‘n roll, so we made it rock ‘n rave. Tongue in cheek of course, with a lot of performers, interaction, video and a decor that would set the atmosphere. Therefore it was also clear we wanted Bas Kosters to design the costumes.

How about the decor?
It was necessary that we designed a modular decor, because it is a travelling circus. So we needed to make it fit for every location. We travelled to all the different venues to measure the space. Besides that our budget was of course divided 9 times, and yes we cried about this, for every edition. So we needed to make a low budget decor that still would cause a big impact on the crowd. The tone was nasty and sexy. We worked with some material that was in stock, had to kill some ideas last minute and eventually decided that the common denominator had to be the moustache. Also because of the Rock ‘n Rave logo made by Hotel, we wanted this to be the eye catcher of the decor. Next to that we did a lot with light bulbs to really give it that circus feeling and to be able to play with that during the night.

drawing of the Rock 'n Rave Circus DJ-booth

Your team is responsible for the production. How many people work on this project and what are their roles in it?
I don’t have a clue, I am just the art director, haha. No, wait, I’ll pass you through to Pasquinel, our producer, he knows the ins & outs.

Pasquinel: Besides all the artists & their managers, performers, visagists, bookers from Barkers, photographers, door hosts, drivers etcetera we have a team from Wink that consists of a director at the front stage, a stage manager, a lighting man, VJ’s and Sander Stenger (from Star Studded Studio’s). They are the main crew. On top of that we have people that build and take down the decor. For the opening of the Rock ‘n Rave Circus the whole office was working on this project. It was crazy. During the event there are about 8 people that work on decor, lighting etc. It takes a whole day to build up the circus at the venue, and in total another day to break it up and get it ready for transport again. That is also because we are responsible for every part of the circus, from the decor to the double high hat of Joost van Bellen.

O.K., thanks. Now give the phone back to Arne! Hi Arne. Have you had any problems already?
Not really, just that we might have underestimated this project. It is such a big job. A lot of work. And because we work with a lot of partners, sponsors and venues, it is more work than any other big project. I think I might have been receiving over 30 e-mails a day on this project for weeks now.

So would you do a project like this again?
Oh certainly yes! Especially when it considers Joost. He is a great inspirator!

What would be your ultimate project?
Wow, let me think…

The opening of the Olympics?
Haha, yes. No, more something like our own festival. Hopefully we can work on a festival on Vlieland next year, called Into The Great Wide Open. Or something that is more mainstream, like the MTV Awards. Organizing a big award show in which we can stick some more of our creativity. And the great thing is that I have got a lot of inspiration for this from the Rock ‘n Rave Circus!

Wink team at the Rock 'n Rave Circus meeting

Photo by Alex Post

One of the few girls in the Rock ‘n Rave Circus is Wannabe A Star. Her eclectic style enables her to become a one woman’s circus band, balled together in the beautiful body of this sexy mamma. She’s a Grand Mistress on the subjects of self mockery, crazy costumes and choice of music. We chatted with her on outrageous outfits and armpit farts.

You’re one of the few women in the Rock ‘n Rave Circus. How does it feel to be working in a circus between all these men?
I love being surrounded by all these guys. I feel like a fish in the water!

In your Bas Kosters-outfit you look like a feathered showgirl that just returned from a rave. Is it comfortable and are you able to perform well in it?
It fits like a glove. It’s been made especially to my size, but still I had to go on a three day crash diet! But it does make me look like a party myself. And that’s how the party starts. Where one sheep goes, another follows.

Because of it you look quite the extravagant persona behind the decks. Do you ever scare people in the audience?
Sometimes I scare people by playing songs with very sexist lyrics. But for me it’s totally normal. I like my audience sideways, upside down and with a crispy crust!

Photo by Alex Post

On stage, we’ve seen you can put your legs in your neck without any difficulty (see picture above). Are there any other circus tricks or crazy stunts you can do with your body?
I can move my toes seperately from eachother. Same goes for my eyes. I can also do some crazy moves with my ears and my hair. And I can fart with my arm pits.

Nice! What is your biggest fashion faux pas ever?
I’m gonna say Buffalo’s & block heels.

What animal would you like to be, if you could choose?
My cat Leo!

What would you like this world to look like?
I’d like a little less materialism and a little more respect for our planet and eachother. That way, the world will still be a liveable place when my daughter Beer is a bit older. I don’t want this world to go with Wilders’ ideas [Wilders is a Dutch right wing politician, ed.], and be filled with hatred and dirt.

Here are the answers:

ɹɐʇs ɐ ǝqɐuuɐʍ :ʎllǝq ʇsɹıɟ `ʍoɹ ɥʇɹnoɟ
uǝllǝq uɐʌ ʇsooɾ :ʎllǝq pɹıɥʇ `ʍoɹ puoɔǝs
snɐɹ xnɐ ɟo uɐɐıʇsɐq :ʎllǝq puoɔǝs `ʍoɹ puoɔǝs

It’s that time of the year: The time you start thinking about what to do on New Years Eve’. If you’re on a tight budget this year we came up with a way to solve your problem!

It’s very simple.

Step 1:

Come to one of the following Diesel Stores:

Amsterdam Flagship Store, Heiligeweg 15, Amsterdam

Antwerp Meir, Meir 24, 2000 Antwerp

Brussels Store, Nieuwstraat / Rue Neuve 26, 1000 Brussels

Step 2:

Enter our Air Guitar Competition and rock your socks off in one of our stores.

Step 3:

If you’re the biggest rock star entering our air guitar competition you and 3 of your friends will get a proper rock star treatment at the New Years Eve’ edition of the Greates Rock ‘n Rave tour!

Since the great party in Rotterdam last weekend we’re just getting ready to get back to our lives, and doing ordinary stuff like, you know, breathing properly. Or even leaving the house. (In our pajama pants, of course. Nothing too uncomfortable.) But then we realized that there’s another edition of the Greatest Rock ‘n Rave Circus coming up right this weekend, so we immediately started getting ready for that! The next party will be this Saturday in Patronaat in Haarlem. (Which is very close to Amsterdam by the way, so if you’re visiting our capital, be sure to step by in Haarlem and say hi to all the drunken clowns over there.) See you this Saturday!