My response to the "Sonik98" article in the local Rockingham Newspaper by
Yvonne Thompson. As found at Hypnosis' Page

To The Editor :-

I wish to write to you (perhaps from an unheard of quarter?), in regards to your article by Yvonne Thompson on the "Sonik98" event at Marapana Wildlife Park recently. I have only just seen the piece and feel I must set the record straight on a few points.

I must say i find the use of the words "thought to be a rock concert in disguise" an interesting term. The whole event was organized according to both Police and Council regulations, which, interestingly, are far stricter than for ANY other style of music promotion. The officer who had been the liaison between the promoters and the authorities was not available on the day, so another was sent in his place. This particular officer showed a remarkable lack of experience in managing such an event and his heavy-handed approach to promoters and punters alike is still being discussed at great length.

The illegal searching of females on entry by male, not female officers was just one such omission from your article, the authorities being advised by the crowd as to the CORRECT procedure. Also the whole article suggests Police were unprepared for such an event and were "surprised" by the scale of it. If this is so, then can you please explain why the "Booze Bus", plain-clothed, mounted and MANY uniformed officers were present BEFORE the event even began? They were also "not in a position to go checking a crowd"? An interesting comment considering the constant door and random search policy conducted on the night.

The reason most people carried bottles of water? Surprisingly this was due to the fact that only water and soft drinks were sold on the night, with a small (fenced off) licensed area available for the over 18s. Hence "most were carrying bottles of water" is mainly attributable to this fact, but is it also perhaps that dancing on a full stomach of alcohol is conducive to illness?? Why can't the older generation accept that perhaps not everyone drinks alcohol when partying? Are they saying that it is so socially acceptable for people to drink that anything else in their hand and they must "be high"? Therefore all people exercising at a gym and drinking mineral water are all high on drugs? I think not.

As for the quote of "Rave parties are used to distribute drugs to young people"...drugs are only at raves...really? I wonder if he has attended many council-sanctioned events such as the "Big Day Out" or "ArtRage" in the past years? He might have been very surprised indeed.

"If this had been anything other than a rave party it would have been a very well organized event" - What is the difference between the party concerned, or one of any other genre? If it is well organized...what are the problems voiced? The article goes on to state that Council guidelines were adhered to, but contradicts itself by stating locals were in an uproar at the disturbance. Residents apparently complaining about zoning regulations in rural areas? An outdoor event in a paddock is hardly likely to disturb many, if at all for ONE night methinks!

The event was promoted as an "Electronic Festival" and thats exactly what it was...Perth's first true festival of the genre. Such a shame authorities cannot see beyond media hype and feel they have to portray a "we are shocked" face to the press. Talk to the average cop on the beat and ask him if he prefers patrolling an event of 3000 peaceful ravers or a similarly-numbered rock concert, with a crowd fueled by alcohol..it won't be the latter.

As a veteran of the Rap/Hip Hop, Commercial, Gothic, Industrial, Heavy Metal and Dance scenes over the past ten or so years, in the capacity of a promoter, DJ, punter, magazine reviewer and radio co-host, i feel i am qualified to offer you an opinion on this topic.

Regards

Simon Hutchinson