Passion’s 29th Birthday Bash: A Night of Epic Proportions at O2 Academy Leicester
Passion has a long history of running events in the UK, giving many well-known DJs their start in the trance scene, and putting on the best clubbing experience for everyone. Their core value is the DFOP’s, Dedicated Followers of Passion since its establishment in 1995.
Generally running x3 events a year, including January’s Classics and hosting stages at summer festivals, Passion’s Birthday Extravaganza events are ones not to miss!
I’ve attended x2 Birthday events at the Emporium Club in Coalville, so to be heading to a new venue in Leicester for their 29th edition, was a wholly different experience.
O2 are known for their concerts and live performances, so I was a bit optimistic about how their sound system would be for 12 hours of Trance music.
Nevertheless, the event boasted an electrifying lineup featuring John O’Callaghan, Bryan Kearney, Giuseppe Ottaviani, Craig Connelly, Factor B, Cold Blue, JFK, Marc West, Tall Paul, Seb Fontaine, Brandon Block, Stretch Silvester, and Daz Stanyon, plus more support.
Marc West warmed up the main room, and just to the left in Room 2, was JFK. Both of these DJs did an excellent job preparing the crowd for the birthday madness to come.
Cold Blue delivered his ethereal sounds and driving rhythms throughout the main room, with some fantastic uplifters and melodies to draw the crowd deeper with every single beat.
It was packed from then on, with Craig Connelly premiering brand-new IDs which, for some, was their first time seeing him perform truly magical to witness. I meanwhile went to support Daz Stanyon in Room 3, who delivered an excellent blend of trance to a small but loyal crowd of trance lovers.
Factor B’s breathtaking melodies followed, with fistful pumps of energy and a crowd that wanted even more. Particular highlights Giuseppe Ottaviani reminded everyone that night that ‘Nothing Else Matters’ as he delivered a well-received set by many DFOP’s in the crowd.
For a personal highlight, the event was all about John O’Callaghan, and Bryan Kearney. John started with his newest release ‘Pebble Beach’, and also premiered some more new music since Liberation in London one month ago. I particularly was pleased to hear Alex M.O.R.P.H and Woody Van Eyden’s ‘Moonlight’ (released on Subculture) again, which is a fantastic uplifting trance record.
Bryan followed this on with an interesting set. In comparison with his 7-hour marathon at Trance Sanctuary, to his usual sets, this one felt more tech-trance and not quite for me. I get that the night had been progressive, past uplifting and was now into the harder styles of trance as we all were approaching the end, but personally, the music wasn’t gripping me to dance. So I captured pictures instead, like this one with immense lasers:
Ending out the 29th birthday bash was JFK, who kept the crowd till the bitter end with many chants of ‘One More Tune’ and a photo opportunity to end on a high. It was a night filled with unforgettable moments, shared among friends old and new, united by their love for trance music.
Overall, Passion’s birthday gatherings are worth attending, and we are very thankful for being allowed to cover the event and provide this honest review of our experience in Leicester. The venue is a great choice, although slightly smaller than Emporium, but definitely much easier to access from a commuter point of view.
Here’s to many more years of unforgettable memories and epic celebrations with Passion, including their big 3-0, which will take place on March 15th, 2025.