"MARUSHA LIVE IN SOFIA”          by Ana Bakalinova Metropolis did it again, but this time hosting the world’s famous female DJ from Berlin, Marusha, together with Belgrade DJs Mark Wee and Sugar Daddy O, and live act by “Hearts of Tibet.”  Around 6000  people filled the Winter Sport Palace in Sofia the night between 28  and 29 March.  The techno gig was spiced up with computer 3D animation on two big screens, light and laser show, and sound performance. This Mayday-type mega rave that started at 9 pm and lasted until 8 am the next morning, joined all techno heads together for an all-night dance experience. Metropolis DJs and the live act by “Hearts of Tibet” warmed the atmosphere from 9 pm to sometime after 12 am, and when the queen of the techno-house stepped by the turntables, the crowd started screaming and heading towards the stage.

It didn’t look like a mass concert though.  The ecstatic turbulence of the packed floor, the funky club-wear, the colorful wigs and the laser show made the cosmic dance more individual and concentrated on the music.  Marusha started with house, moved to techno, then to progressive house and trance while all the time communicating with her audience, dancing and smiling, and thanking. Dressed in tight top, black baggy pants, and Nike’s new model of white sport shoes, she grabbed the microphone, put a record on and started singing her new single “Free Love” which is included in her album “No Hide No Run” to be released in April. 
        When all thought that five in the morning was enough, Belgrade DJs gave a totally different tone to the event.  Mark Wee, the head of Integra Productions from Belgrade, spun hard house, acid and minimal sound, concentrated on mixing. He would occasionally glance at the audience to check out the “mood.”  The crowd responded with dance, now more calm and not ecstatic, but concentrated on the music.  Mark Wee, famous for his residency at club Industria in Belgrade, and his gigs with Moby, The Prodigy, F-Communication parties, and other, proved his talent again. 
        The early hours of the mega-rave were finished by the sounds of the other Integra DJ from Belgrade, Sugar Daddy O, famous for disco house and garage music.  What Mark Wee left behind him, was a tired audience that needed chilling out.  So, Sugar Daddy O created a relaxed atmosphere by still keeping the dance tempo.  Famous for his sets from disco house to speed garage, Sugar Daddy O introduced himself by playing female vocals of “Sugar Daddy” and developed the sounds from Dave Clarke’s techno to house. 
        From hard-core tempo to live act breeze, and from 6000 dancers to different collage of DJ guests, Metropolis shuttered the space in Sofia once again. 

Sofia, Bulgaria 

March 28, 1998