Over the last five weeks, the spread of COVID-19 has resulted in the entire world going on lockdown. With festivals canceled or postponed and clubs closed for the foreseeable future, the Electronic Dance Music scene is struggling to adjust to a world without raves.
Making the best of an unfortunate situation, DJs all around the globe have gone digital over the last month, live streaming sets on platforms like Twitch and Beatport. But no DJ has done as much to ensure that the beat goes on during this pandemic quite like Dave Dresden.
When all this is over, Dresden—who makes up one-half of Gabriel & Dresden — will likely be remembered as the quarantine hero of dance music.
On March 20th, the same weekend that Miami Music Week and Ultra Music Festival were supposed to be held, Dresden launched “Club Quarantine” on Twitch. Since then, he has spun nearly every single night, completing 21 live streams in only 26 days. And the fans couldn’t be more grateful.
For a lot of us, dancing isn’t just a form of entertainment — it’s therapy and a way to cope with an uncertain and ever-changing world. To say we are all a little on edge right now would be a gross understatement. Death, fear, loneliness, and economic uncertainty are everywhere. Without the dance floor as an outlet, hopelessness abounds. But for those of us in the Trance community, Dresden’s live streams have become a ray of light penetrating even our darkest night.
Anyone who follows Dresden on Twitter probably noticed the concern in the DJs posts as the pandemic started heating up. As the gravity of the situation became impossible to ignore, and festivals and tour dates were being canceled in droves, Dresden broke the fourth wall with his fans, inviting them into his home to dance away the anxiety together.
One of the most defining attributes of the EDM scene is the community that forms around it. During this time of unprecedented isolation, Dresden’s sets, which sometimes last over ten hours, have created a sense of togetherness. When you dance along to Club Quarantine you are part of a family — and families face crises together.
Dresden’s live streams have now garnered thousands of views. Fans were also quick to create several “Club Quarantine” Facebook groups as a means of staying connected with each other. Dresden himself even chimes in on posts often, creating a sense of unity that is sorely needed right now.
As the community continues to expand, Club Quarantine has adopted this creed: “Sometimes when you least expect it, people come together and turn to music to make it through the hardest times.” Nothing could be more accurate.
While Trance is arguably the most emotional subgenre of EDM, Dresden has taken a lighthearted approach to his sets. Each live stream features Dresden and his army of colorful, and sometimes glittery, stuffed animals. Dresden’s seven-year-old daughter, Charlotte, has also made an appearance or two helping her dad out on the decks and dancing along with him.
Dresden also hasn’t shied away from showing off his silly side. Donning an outrageous looking wig, and accompanied by his usual gang of stuffed animals, Dresden has served as much-needed comedic relief during these difficult times. But it is Dresden’s authentic kindness that makes him truly one of a kind.
As Dresden was finishing his seven-hour, Saturday set, he gave the ultimate gift to one unsuspecting fan. A Twitch user and Club Quarantine viewer by the name of coffeeandtrance had mentioned in the Twitch chat that he was going to be spinning a Sunrise Afterparty on his page after Club Quarantine came to an end.
Without any warning, Dresden ended his live stream by sending all of his 1053 viewers to coffeeantrance’s page. The look on the young DJ’s face as he looks at his computer screen and realizes what is happening is enough to cure anyone’s quarantine blues.
It’s fitting that Gabriel & Dresden’s latest album is called “Remedy” since Club Quarantine has been the antidote for so many of us who are struggling right now. No matter how uncertain, terrifying, or downright lonely things may seem at the moment, you can always find solace in the music.
*Featured Image Via Twitch*
