Category Archives: Trance

2021 may not have been the year we all got back to the club in full force, but that doesnt mean it wasnt a great time for dance music. And while we spent the majority of our time longing for the days we could be pressed against a couple hundred sweaty strangers all thrumming to the same kick drum, the soundtrack to our at-home raves did not disappoint.

With a lot of highly anticipated debuts and previously delayed follow ups finally seeing the light of day, the year saw massive offerings from the likes of established names like Porter Robinson, Boys Noize and Danny L Harle, as well as strong showings from newcomers like SHERELLE and Wavedash.

Whether youre looking for nostalgic indie dance, headbanging dubstep, forward-thinking mutant techno, over the top hardcore rave, throwback house, blistering fast drum and bass or something that defies easy categorization, there was a little something there for whatever type of beat gets you going.

Danny L Harle "Harlecore"

An album so massive they had to build a mythical multi-story megaclub to contain it, PC Music OG Danny L Harles debut, Harlecore, feels like the closest thing you could get to the purest distillation of rave euphoria. From soaring hooks to stadium-sized synths and teeth-chattering bass, Harle explores the emotional extremes of every ravey genre under the sun. Enlisting the help of Hudson Mohawke, Caroline Polachek and Lil Data to create the DJ personas of a hammer-wielding werewolf, an ethereal jellyfish and a hyperactive blue mascot respectively, Harle takes the concept of a fantasy rave compilation and pushes it to cartoonish proportions while still making some of the years most impeccable dance music.

Leon Vynehall "Rare, Forever"

Straddling the line between sonic experimentation and forward-thinking dancefloor-ready rhythms, British producer Leon Vynehalls latest album was one of the more forward-thinking club records to drop this year. Balancing moody interludes full of dulcet saxophone tones and distorted noise composition with giddy bursts of frenzied percussion and four-on-the-floor stompers, Rare, Forever unfolds like a descent into a damp, dark cave with expansive hits of bass and deftly plucked strings reverberating off the walls. Its a bizarre beast of a dance record, but one that draws you in with every quirk, twist and turn it takes you along the way.

Boys Noize "+/-"

The fifth studio album from veteran DJ and producer, Alex Ridha AKA Boys Noize, +/- (pronounced polarity) runs the gambit from sweaty hard-hitting industrial electro to Berghain-ready techno, ethereal indie dance, experimental beatmaking and everything in between. Making use of his own extensive modular synth collection, Ridha brings forth a bevy of new anthems and bangers that feel right in line with what one would expect of a Boys Noize record, while still sounding fresh and new. Featuring the likes of Kelsey Lu, ABRA, Tommy Cash, Chilly Gonzales, Rico Nasty and more, +/- marries Ridhas club prowess with his finely honed pop sensibilities for one of Boys Noizes strongest offerings to date.

Wavedash "World Famous Tour"

Having established themselves in the dubstep scene at a time when all the major players had moved on, Wavedash looked to make a distinct departure from what they were known best for with their debut album. Taking cues from their musical idols like Porter Robinson and Skrillex, World Famous Tour sees the producer trio branch out from the growling bass heavy bangers (although there is still plenty of that on the album not to fear), exploring Rustie-esque maximalist drops, moody drum and bass, pensive ambient compositions, Soundcloud-era future bass, hyperpop and a few things that defy easy categorization. If you want to know what the future of EDM sounds like, Wavedash is a good place to start.

CFCF "memoryland"

This one's for all the '90s kids out there. Montreal producer CFCF drenched his latest album in a healthy layer of nostalgia to craft a record that sounds like it was tucked away between a copy of Mobys Play and a yellowed 12 of Aphex Twins Windowlicker." Leaning heavily into the electronica side of dance music, memoryland includes bits of shoegaze, punk, French touch, disco, funk, IDM and more all collaged together like a musical scrapbook. Tracks like Life is Perfecto and the epic eight minute Night/Day/Work/Home walk the line between Oneohtrix Point Nevers experimentalism and Four Tets dancefloor warmth for a blissful mix of accessible and cutting-edge.

Porter Robinson "Nuture"

The long awaited follow up to 2014s landmark debut, Worlds, Porter Robinsons sophomore album, Nurture, had a lot to live up to and did not disappoint. Straying further into the indie side of dance music with a few experimental detours along the way, Robinson builds on the heavily processed vocals and soaring maximal sound he honed on his first record with even more emphasis on songwriting and personal sentiment. An album born out of his own struggles with mental health and writers block, Nurture sees Robinson be more vulnerable than ever by opening up about anxiety, gushing about finding love and celebrating the artform itself. From the cinematic fireworks of album high points such as Look at the Sky and Something Comforting to the twitchy pastoral interludes like Wind Tempos and do-re-mi-fa-sol-la-ti-do, Robinsons Nurture is a record worth holding near and dear to your heart.

Koreless "Agor"

Arriving a full decade after the producer released his first single, Koreless debut album, Agor, was more than well worth the wait. Full of bright trance synths, copious vocal samples and drumless beats all interwoven through a series of amorphous interludes and extended transitions, Agor unfolds like a journey through an ethereal futuristic landscape with glitchy textures and sprawling melodies. From the syncopated chorus of Joy Squad to the haunting harpsichord and choral arrangements on album closer Strangers, Koreless packs a meticulous amount of detail into every track without losing sight of what makes people move.

Eris Drew "Quivering In Time"

A true disciple of rave history, Eris Drew builds on the series of crate-digging DJ sets alongside partner Octo Octa recorded in a woodland clearing during the middle of the pandemic. Devised as a versatile mix of tracks that would slot in next to even the deepest of cuts, Quivering In Time is a solid house record front-to-back, full of Hi-NRG beats, acid basslines, shuffles, breaks and spinbacks traversing the genres of techno, house, prog house, disco and more. It's clearly made by someone that's put in years of work behind the decks, studying their dance music history and putting their knowledge of every microgenre, obscure rave and out of print white label to good use.

SHERELLE "fabric presents SHERELLE"

London-born DJ, producer and Hooversound label head SHERELLE is one of the most exciting new names making waves on the faster end of the club spectrum. Tapped to put together a mix for the prestigious "fabric presents" series, SHERELLE brings together one of the years best curated collections of old-school jungle techno, breakbeat hardcore, acid and footwork. Featuring cuts from Tim Reaper, Kush Jones, DJ Rashad, AceMo, LCY, Dub One and more, SHERELLE shows us what life lived above 160bpm is truly about with some of the most batshit drum breaks youve ever heard. If youre looking to work up a sweat, this is a must listen.

Ross from Friends "Tread"

The sophomore album from British producer, Felix Clary Weatherall, Tread feels like lo-fi house and trance went on a date and got really stoned afterward. Offering a more mellowed out sound with the occasional detour into trip hop and washed out psychedelics, Ross From Friends makes meticulously crafted house sound like easy-listening with soulful samples, bright trance-y synths and brushed drums. It feels fitting that the music video for album opener, The Daisy, features a speedcubing competition given the level of intricacy Weatherall bakes into his rhythms while still maintaining a lighthearted sense of novelty and play. If you're looking for a good record to bliss out to or even just get extra cozy, you cant go wrong with Tread.

Doss "4 New Hit Songs"

Anz "All Hours"

India Jordan "Watch Out!"

LSDXOXO "Dedicated 2 Disrespect"

Logic1000 "You've Got the Whole Night to Go"

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The 10 Best Dance Albums of 2021 - PAPER - Papermag

Ukrainian duo ARTBAT have linked with dance legend Pete Tong for what is set to be one of the pairs biggest ever tunes: a forward-thinking new take on the Balearic dance classic Age of Love on Ministry of Sound. The stylish new single is out digitally on January 7th and on vinyl on February 4th 2022.

This latest new ARTBAT track comes just a week after the award-winning pair sold out their much talked about UPPERGROUND label on New Years Eve in Tulum with next level visuals making it an unforgettable night. More than 6000 people came together to dance to a majestic set that took in ARTBAT classics old and new.

The high spec production added an extra sensory element, with vast LED screens showing abstract imagery and ARTBAT in space suits, pixel-thin lasers beaming into the crowd, and iconic Mexican palm trees towering next to the main stage. It was a perfect way to see out the old and bring in the new with ARTBAT doing what they do best.

This hypnotic new track is a perfect follow up to that party. It is designed for huge dance floors and is a driving, melodic yet deep affair that will sound perfect in the worlds best superclubs. The remix pairs big synths and elements of stylish trance and potent techno to make a big emotional impact, as is the ARTBAT way.

With this new collaborative single, ARTBAT start 2022 in the same superb fashion with which they ended their successful 2021.

Listen to the track below!

Alex Gelevski is our official photographer. He has been listening to electronic dance music since middle school. Apart from being photographer for Rave Jungle he likes to play basketball in his spare time.

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ARTBAT have linked with dance legend Pete Tong for 'Age of Love' remix - Rave Jungle

The artist has been creating these instrumental melodies that have spoken many words without saying any. This is a great quality of a musician to convey the intention without saying much.Corvis Leonardhas always interactively formed his tracks. This budding musician certainly has more to offer the audience. From his tunes to his honest way of speaking he has a simplicity that is rare to find.

About

This new instrumental artist is from the United States.Corvis Leonardhas always found music to be a great way of healing pains with or without wounds. Through his music, he is trying to find the meaning of life and eventually the much-needed inner peace. That is why he turned to music to make his mental health a priority. He has a humble approach to describing his gorgeous forms of art. He admires Slash and always seeks inspiration from his favorite artists and video games. This is vivid proof of his honesty. He has a working individual. He has made his room into his recording studio.

Musical Career

This self-taught musician has introduced several mind-blowing hits in a very short period. Most of his songs are from the instrumental indie genre. Each of his pieces has an uplifting aura. He released three albums at the same time on a video streaming platform is Dreaming, Simplicity, Thoughts on papers. He released pieces like, Zoning out, Passing Time, Trance Guitar, Meds, Thoughts of Suicide are works of his initial days. He has made music relentlessly since then. Musical pieces that he released within the next few days, are, Internal Pain, Under The Influence, and The Way The World See Me (Version 2). And he has produced even more pieces after that release like, Just Walking By, The Chaos In My Head.

Latest Release

This young artist has a lot to offer musically with his honest way of approaching and depicting his form of art. His new songThe Way The World See Mewas a part of his album called Dreaming. He makes music that is pleasing to the ears. His honesty and simplicity evoke a core feeling of admiration. His guitar pieces that are incorporated in this piece are very ecstatically uplifting. The background score also adds up to the aura of the track. The guitar pieces that the audience gets to witness in his tracks are completely enchanting. He has a promising future ahead.

To enjoy this new song, just visit the given below link:

Hughes Nelson is a contributing writer for Daily Music Roll. He also runs few other blogs, where he analyzes pop, hip-hop, and other music too seriously. Hughes reviews the music on daily basis and magnanimously indulges, encourages, and even participates in music discussion worldwide.

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'The Way The World See Me (Version 2)' is a Great Instrumental Track Released by Corvis Leonard - Daily Music Roll

Mavis Staples

Most venues are still following COVID-19 guidelines, including reduced capacity, social distancing and masks. Several shows require proof of the vaccine or a negative test.

FRIDAY

Sunny Sweeney: Country. 7 p.m. at McGonigels Mucky Duck, 2425 Norfolk; 713-528-5999.

Maddie & Tae : Country. 7 p.m. at House of Blues, 1204 Caroline; 888-402-5837.

Mavis Staples : R&B. 8 p.m. at the Grand 1894 Opera House, 2020 Postoffice, Galveston; 800-821-1894.

Disco Expressions: Disco. 9 p.m. at the Continental Club, 3700 Main; 713-529-9899.

Chad Cooke Band: Country. 8:30 p.m. at the Dosey Doe Big Barn, 25911 Interstate 45 N., The Woodlands; 281-367-3774.

Kottonmouth Kings: Hip-hop. 7 p.m. at Warehouse Live, 813 St. Emanuel; 713-225-5483.

Cruz Contreras: Americana. 8 p.m. at the Dosey Doe Breakfast, BBQ and Whiskey Bar, 2626-B Research Forest, The Woodlands; 832-823-4414.

Getter: Dubstep and trap. 10 p.m. at Stereo Live, 6400 Richmond; 832-251-9600.

Post Gold Era: Rock. 8 p.m. at White Oak Music Hall, upstairs, 2915 N. Main; 713-237-0370.

Mother Mother: Rock. 8 p.m. at White Oak Music Hall, downstairs, 2915 N. Main; 713-237-0370.

SATURDAY

Andrew Rayel: Trance. 10 p.m. at Stereo Live, 6400 Richmond; 832-251-9600.

Pearl Earl: Psych-rock from Denton. 8 p.m. at Satellite Bar, 6922 Harrisburg; 713-425-6669.

Buckcherry: Rock. 7 p.m. at Rise Rooftop, 2600 Travis; 832-767-0513.

Club 90s : Taylor Swift Red edition. 9 p.m. at House of Blues, 1204 Caroline; 888-402-5837.

BowiElvis Fest: Annual tribute to two icons. 8 p.m. at the Continental Club, 3700 Main; 713-529-9899.

Kelly Willis, Brennen Leigh and Melissa Carper: Country. 7 p.m. at McGonigels Mucky Duck, 2425 Norfolk; 713-528-5999.

Drew Kennedy: Country. 8:30 p.m. at the Dosey Doe Breakfast, BBQ and Whiskey Bar, 2626-B Research Forest, The Woodlands; 832-823-4414.

Coozablack: Rock. 7 p.m. at Warehouse Live, 813 St. Emanuel; 713-225-5483.

Back in Black: AC/DC tribute. 8:30 p.m. at the Dosey Doe Big Barn, 25911 Interstate 45 N., The Woodlands; 281-367-3774.

SUNDAY

Bad Sneakers: Steely Dan tribute. 8 p.m. at the Continental Club, 3700 Main; 713-529-9899.

Cool Freddie E & The Crew: Variety. 8:30 p.m. at the Dosey Doe Big Barn, 25911 Interstate 45 N., The Woodlands; 281-367-3774.

TWRP: Rock. 8 p.m. at White Oak Music Hall, upstairs, 2915 N. Main; 713-237-0370.

TUESDAY

The Moth: Houston story slam. 7:30 p.m. at Warehouse Live, 813 St. Emanuel; 713-225-5483.

WEDNESDAY

Holly Beth and Canaan Bryce: Country. 8:30 p.m. at the Dosey Doe Breakfast, BBQ and Whiskey Bar, 2626-B Research Forest, The Woodlands; 832-823-4414.

Marshall Tucker Band: Rock. 8:30 p.m. at the Dosey Doe Big Barn, 25911 Interstate 45 N., The Woodlands; 281-367-3774.

THURSDAY

Beetle: Beatles covers. 7 p.m. at the Continental Club, 3700 Main; 713-529-9899.

Trampled by Turtles, Deer Tick: Bluegrass and folk-rock. 6:30 p.m. at White Oak Music Hall, downstairs, 2915 N. Main; 713-237-0370.

Washed Out: Chillwave. 8:30 p.m. at Warehouse Live, 813 St. Emanuel; 713-225-5483.

Girls Gotta Eat : Comedy. 7 p.m. at House of Blues, 1204 Caroline; 888-402-5837.

Possessed by Paul James: Folk. 7 p.m. at McGonigels Mucky Duck, 2425 Norfolk; 713-528-5999.

Rick Huckaby: Country. 8 p.m. at the Dosey Doe Breakfast, BBQ and Whiskey Bar, 2626-B Research Forest, The Woodlands; 832-823-4414.

Christian Lopez: Americana. 8:30 p.m. at the Dosey Doe Big Barn, 25911 Interstate 45 N., The Woodlands; 281-367-3774.

AFK: Dubstep. 10 p.m. at Stereo Live, 6400 Richmond; 832-251-9600.

joey.guerra@chron.com

Joey Guerra is the music critic for the Houston Chronicle. He also covers various aspects of pop culture. He has reviewed hundreds of concerts and interviewed hundreds of celebrities, from Justin Bieber to Dolly Parton to Beyonce. He's appeared as a regular correspondent on Fox26 and was head judge and director of the Pride Superstar singing competition for a decade. He has been named journalist of the year multiple times by both OutSmart Magazine and the FACE Awards. He also covers various aspects of pop culture, including the local drag scene and "RuPaul's Drag Race."

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Mother Mother, Maddie & Tae among the 30+ shows coming to Houston - Houston Chronicle

Including catching up on last year's 21 Black Futures shows, dancing to DJ Blush and enjoying Snow Magic at Ontario Place

Courtesy of CBC and Obsidian Theatre.

In The Sender, Amanda Cordner's Sil simply presses a button to send racists to their own island.

If you missed Obsidian Theatres historic presentation of 21 short shows looking at the future of Blackness last year, theyre all still streaming at the CBC Gem site. Organized by Obsidians artistic director, Mumbi Tindyebwa Otu, the shows including Cheryl Foggos The Sender, starring Sort Ofs Amanda Cordner are timely and urgent, perfect isolation viewing.

Available for a limited time. Free. gem.cbc.ca

Miss dancing? Well, you cant do the real thing in-person now, but DJ Blush hosts an online dance party with R&R, soul, funk, pop, hip-hop and more. So clear out your living room furniture and get ready to feel good.

January 7 at 9 pm. Pwyc. mixcloud.com/live/djblushto

Its your last chance to see the Nathan Phillips Square spectacle of lights, with installations inspired by cultural festivals around the world. The Cavalcade was designed with guidance from Toronto Public Health, so as long as you keep your distance this is a safe Omicron event that will get you out of your apartment and maybe even into a pair of skates.

To January 7, 5-11 pm. Free. toronto.ca/cavalcade

The figure-8 skate trail under the Gardiner is back this year. No reservations are required, but you do need to wear a mask, and capacity is limited. There will be skate rentals and sharpenings, but skating lessons have been cancelled. Inuvialuk artist Maureen Grubens large-scale installation of sculptural sleds, Moving With Joy, will also be on display. The work depicts how sleds are used by Arctic communities.

To February 21. 250 Fort York Blvd. Free.thebentway.ca

Sea Tangle by Ryan Longo is on display at Snow Magic.

The producers of this seasonal drive-thru are playing fast and loose with the winter theme. Snow Magic is basically a tour of Burning Man-style sculptures think pyrotechnics, optical effects and Tim Burtonesque trance music. The laser tower gives strong Jennifer Lopez Waiting For Tonight video vibes.

To January 16. Ontario Place (955 Lake Shore West). $45-$65 per vehicle.DriveThruFunCo.com

Galleries and museums may be closed, but the Aga Khan Museums outdoor exhibition featuring photographs by Christopher Wilton-Steer is on for a couple of months. Just be sure to bundle up if its extra cold outside.

Runs to March 7. Free. Aga Khan Park (77 Wynford). agakhanmuseum.org

Glenn Sumi

Glenn started writing for NOWs theatre section in 1997. Currently, he edits and contributes to the film and stage sections. He sees approximately 280 live stage shows and 150 movies a year. His mother once described his job as Seeing The Lion King"

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Things to do in Toronto this weekend: January 7-9 - NOW Toronto

A star who is certainly on the rise, Marc Baz is a French artist based in Dubai with more than a decade of carefully crafted experience. A wizard behind the decks and in the studio, he has enjoyed international recognition being signed to major worldwide labels, which in turn has earned him a fanbase that continues to grow quickly in line with his career. Specialising in trance and progressive sounds, there is no genre that he cannot tackle so we wanted to find out more about him.

How did you start your music career?

Music is more like a passion for me and I always call it a professional hobby since I make it at a high level, and have been producing for more than a decade now. It took me time to get releases on the most prestigious record labels (i.e. Vandit, AVA, Perfecto, Always Alive Recordings). I like the fact that I climbed the ladder slowly because it feels like a deserved win after a long journey. You cannot fathom the number of unfinished projects or projects that I just sent to trash because it was incomplete or not fit to be released. I lacked confidence with my music at the start of my career, but now I am more confident and determined in what I do and the music that I produce.

What about the performance and DJing side of your career? Tell us more about that

I love DJing. I have not yet had the chance to DJ at a big rave or event but I am open to opportunities and I am looking forward to doing that when the time comes. I also need the right promoter and agent for this. To be completely honest, I spend most of my time and put most of my energy into the technical side, creating and producing the music itself.

What does music mean to you?

Music is a universal language and it is the language that everyone understands, the language that unifies cultures despite their differences that may appear. Music is the language of peace and I believe that people that do not appreciate music will never know peace.

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Marc Baz: Introducing the talented DJ & producer mastermind - We Rave You

Actor/comedian D.L. Hughley performs his stand-up routine at The Orleans Hotel & Casino August 5, 2011 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images)

Most venues are still following COVID-19 guidelines, including reduced capacity, social distancing and masks. Several shows require proof of the vaccine or a negative test.

FRIDAY

Boomtown Brass Band: Dancing and desserts. 8 p.m. at the Heights Theater, 339 W. 19th; 214-272-8346.

Khruangbin: Houston global indie-rock. 9 p.m. at 713 Music Hall, 401 Franklin.

Ulla with Piper Jones: New Years Eve in Ireland. 4 p.m. at McGonigels Mucky Duck, 2425 Norfolk; 713-528-5999.

New Years Eve Comedy Laugh Fest: Featuring Bruce Bruce, DL Hughley and more. 8 p.m. at Smart Financial Centre, 18111 Lexington, Sugar Land; 281-207-6278.

If it Dont Feel Like 90s R&B : R&B. 9 p.m. at House of Blues, 1204 Caroline; 888-402-5837.

Allen Oldies Band: Rock. 8 p.m. at the Continental Club, 3700 Main; 713-529-9899.

T. Graham Browne: Country. 8:30 p.m. at the Dosey Doe Big Barn, 25911 Interstate 45 N., The Woodlands; 281-367-3774.

Orjan Nilsen: Trance. 10 p.m. at Stereo Live, 6400 Richmond; 832-251-9600.

SATURDAY

Myon: Trance. 10 p.m. at Stereo Live, 6400 Richmond; 832-251-9600.

Localmania feat. BILE, Apothica, more. Rock. 1 p.m. at White Oak Music Hall, 2915 N. Main; 713-237-0370.

Kate Watson: Country. 8:30 p.m. at the Dosey Doe Breakfast, BBQ and Whiskey Bar, 2626-B Research Forest, The Woodlands; 832-823-4414.

Mike Zito Band: Rock. 8:30 p.m. at the Dosey Doe Big Barn, 25911 Interstate 45 N., The Woodlands; 281-367-3774.

WEDNESDAY

Randy C. Moore: Country. 8:30 p.m. at the Dosey Doe Breakfast, BBQ and Whiskey Bar, 2626-B Research Forest, The Woodlands; 832-823-4414.

THURSDAY

Beetle: Beatles covers. 7 p.m. at the Continental Club, 3700 Main; 713-529-9899.

Joey Greer: Country. 8 p.m. at the Dosey Doe Breakfast, BBQ and Whiskey Bar, 2626-B Research Forest, The Woodlands; 832-823-4414.

Clay Melton: Rock. 8:30 p.m. at the Dosey Doe Big Barn, 25911 Interstate 45 N., The Woodlands; 281-367-3774.

Kendoll: House. 10 p.m. at Stereo Live, 6400 Richmond; 832-251-9600.

joey.guerra@chron.com

Joey Guerra is the music critic for the Houston Chronicle. He also covers various aspects of pop culture. He has reviewed hundreds of concerts and interviewed hundreds of celebrities, from Justin Bieber to Dolly Parton to Beyonce. He's appeared as a regular correspondent on Fox26 and was head judge and director of the Pride Superstar singing competition for a decade. He has been named journalist of the year multiple times by both OutSmart Magazine and the FACE Awards. He also covers various aspects of pop culture, including the local drag scene and "RuPaul's Drag Race."

Read more here:

15+ concerts to kick off 2022 in Houston - Houston Chronicle

As the sun risesover New York City, Yvette Arenaro, an evangelical Christian, prays on a wooden kneelerinside her bedroom closet; Lobsang Chokdup chants Tibetan Buddhist prayers at an elaborate altar in the living room of his familys cramped apartment; and Nirmal Singh studies a Sikh holy text with his wife and daughter in their attic prayer room.

They are amonghundreds of thousands of New Yorkers from a myriad of faith traditions who set aside a part of their home as a sacred space to practice their religion, meditate or simply offer thanks for a new day.

I wish I could wake upin the mountainsevery morning but instead I live in Richmond Hill, said Mr. Singh, an engineer and writer who lives in Queens. I designed this space upstairs where I pray, sing and studywith my family and thank God for everything I have in my life.

In some homes, altars mark the area where family members worship. In others, the space is sanctified for a time by actions such as lighting candles over a dining room table on a Friday evening or praying several times a day while facing east, on a rug in a living room. The many ways that New Yorkers practice their faiths inside their homes reflect the citys diversity.

New York most likely has more religions than any other city in the world, said Tony Carnes, the founder of A Journey Through NYC Religions, a nonprofit that is mapping houses of worship and religious sites in the city. His organization has identified 39 different categories of religions in New York, but within those, there are at least 435 variations, many of which can be considered separate religions, he said.

While these sacred spaces have long existed throughout New York, they became even more meaningful during the pandemic, as many houses of worship restricted access.

Hinduism

Walking past Bharati Sukul Kemrajs familys home in the Soundview section of the Bronx, you can catch a glimpse of an altar in the bay windows, complete with statues of Hindu gods, flowers, candles and burning incense.

Every morning Ms. Kemraj and her mother, Chandra Sukul Kemraj, pray in front of the altar. Ms. Kemrajs father, Vishnu Sukul, was a Hindu priest from Guyana. He built their house next to the Vishnu Mandir Temple, which he founded in 1996. He died in 2019, and his family now manages the temple.

There should be a sacred space in your home where you wake up in the mornings, offer prayers and just give thanks for seeing another sunrise and another day, Ms. Kemraj said.

Tibetan Buddhism

Surrounded by Tibetan tapestries, statues of Buddha, sacred texts, candles, a drum and a bell, Lobsang Chokdup prays, chants, meditates and studies for at least 12 hours every day. At midnight he pauses to sleep with his wife, Lhamo, in the living room of the small apartment they share with their daughter and grandson in Woodside, Queens, where he has lived for the last six years. He rises at 4 a.m. and begins again.

At 9 years old, Mr. Chokdup fled Tibet, over the Himalayas and into Nepal, after the Chinese invasion. He came to the U.S. in 2011 to be near his children. Today, Mr. Chokdup is 71, but if he lived to be 100, he said, that would be a very short time, because he could be reborn many, many times along a path to enlightenment.

One hundred years on this planet is just one second for me, he said. I leave this body after that, but I might have to stay here a million years. So in a way I am a million-year-old man.

After he dies, Mr. Chokdup said he could come back as a boy, a girl or even a germ, he said, but prayer, meditation and his actions can help him have a better new life when he is reborn.

In reality this life is very important and you should do good things, he said.

Evangelical Christianity

Before the sun rises, Yvette Arenaro slips into her small walk-in closet and kneels in front of a wooden prayer altar. Surrounded by her dresses, suits and shoes, she sings hymns, reads the Bible and prays often with tears in her eyes.

Theres a stillness at that time of the morning, she said. There are no interruptions and you can still hear the early birds who are already doing their worship of chirping. Ms. Arenaro is a member of the Christian Cultural Center, a predominantly Black nondenominational Christian church in East New York in Brooklyn, where she has sang in the choir for 17 years.

When the pandemic began, her churchs services were only streamed live online for the next year for safety reasons and congregants could not attend. Ms. Arenaro watched every Sunday morning, but her religious life at home continued uninterrupted. Every day her prayer routine is different and can last more than 30 minutes.

In any relationship you want to spend time with those that you love, Ms. Arenaro said. Why wouldnt that be the same with a God that I fell in love with?

When she is done in the closet, she eats breakfast with her husband and they pray together in their living room.

Since March 2019, Mohammed Jabed Uddin has spent most of his waking hours helping his neighbors in Astoria and Long Island City, Queens, cope with the fallout from the pandemic. He has arranged for the distribution of thousands of free meals and bags of groceries and masks; and has organized Covid-19 testing and vaccination drives. Mr. Uddin has gone shopping for blind older neighbors and translated for sick community members in emergency rooms.

For months the mosques in New York were closed because of the pandemic, but every single day he has tried to find the time to pray.

It doesnt matter what important thing you do in the world, Mr. Uddin, a taxi driver, said. This is the duty of our life to follow the rules of Islam and do the five-times-a-day prayers.

When he prays at home, Mr. Uddin washes, puts on fresh clothes and unfurls a rug in the living room of his apartment in Astoria. There are no religious images on the wall, which is customary in Muslim homes. After he finishes his prayers, he heads out to continue his work as secretary of the Astoria Welfare Society, a Bangladeshi-American nonprofit that provides assistance to anyone in need.

Islam says it is important for humanity to help each other, he said.

Catholicism

Every day Julio Mazariegos kneels in prayer with his wife, Francisca, and their three children, Jenny, 23, Edgar, 21, and Jess, 18, in front of the altar he built in the living room of their apartment in Jamaica, Queens. Though his wife grew up in a very religious Catholic family with daily devotions in the home, Mr. Mazariegoss family life was less religious, and more challenging. In his teens he fell into a life of drugs and other vices, he said.

But they met and fell in love in Guatemala, and he slowly found his way to the church after they came to Queens in 1995. As Mr. Mazariegos became more involved with his church and their family grew, he built an altar in their home because, he said, an intimate space needs to exist with family.

The family attends the Presentation of the Blessed Virgin Mary Roman Catholic Church, where they are all deeply involved in church activities. Each of the children has made smaller personal alters by their own beds where they pray before going to sleep.

You enter in your room and you pray in front of your father who is present with you, he said. It is a moment of intimacy with God.

SIKHISM

Nirmal Singh designed his home in Queens with a space in the attic for his family to study, sing and pray. At the center of the room is the Adi Granth, a handwritten volume of the sacred scripture of Sikhism. Every morning before dawn, Mr. Singh reads out loud and his wife, Rajinder Kaur Bhamra, and daughter, Taranjit, play musical instruments as they all sing prayers.

Afterward his daughter walks to the public pre-K center in Ozone Park where she teaches.

It becomes so embedded into your daily lifestyle you cannot live a day without doing it, Taranjit said. If I feel very anxious or I have an important task ahead, theres a place I can go to feel one with God and to learn about some of the scriptures.

JUDAISM

Growing up in Brooklyn, Friday nights were like any other night of the week in Laurie Hanins home. Her family was Jewish but not observant, though her father went to synagogue on Yom Kippur.

Jennifer Johnson was raised in a religious Christian home in Memphis, but converted to Judaism as an adult before she met Ms. Hanin on an online dating site for Jewish people. Today they are married and live in Forest Hills, Queens, with their 9-year-old twin boys, Adam and Gabriel.

Six days a week their apartment is in a state of slightly organized chaos: sounds from video games echo through the home, along with their sons occasional arguments over what TV shows to watch.

On some days it feels like I spend 50 percent of my time yelling, Ms. Hanin said.

But on Friday, the dining room is transformed. Ms. Johnson and her sons bake challah, and as the sun begins to set, calm prevails. Sabbath candles are lit, prayers recited, and they hold hands as they bless the challah.

Im trying to give my kids the Jewish rituals, and the understanding of their meaning, that I only learned as an adult, Ms. Hanin said. This feels like family.

Haitian Vodou

This summer, Jean Saurel Francillon gathered with 15 friends and family members around a green, red and black pole in his East New York basement in Brooklyn. The group sang in Haitian Creole to drumbeats; some of them moved with trance-like gestures.

The body is like an envelop, Mr. Francillon, a vodou priest, said during a break in the five-hour service. The spirit comes in like water filling a container and theres a transformation. When it does it brings messages.

He created the windowless space so his family and followers can worship as his ancestors did in Africa, he said, and maintain our harmony with nature, the deities and with ourselves.

You have to know where you come from to understand and know where you are going, he said. If you dont know where you come from its very easy to get lost on the way.

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New Yorkers and the Sacred Spaces in Their Homes - The New York Times

2021 will probably always be remembered as the year that followed 2020.It was supposed to be its own thing the beginning of our generations roaring 20s. We were supposed to be out clubbing every night, going to polyamorous sex parties and taking brand new post-pandemic party drugs. And obviously there was a lot of that. But there was a lot of other stuff, too.

For one, the pandemic never stopped its still raging across the UK. And while around 47 million of us have been vaccinated, its taken a while to get back to feeling normal again. Many reported feelings of social anxiety and loneliness in the months post-lockdown. 2021 had us in a double bind: The freedom was there, but we weren't always ready for it.

2021 was also the year of the Sarah Everard vigils, of mass climate change protests, of the carnage of the Euros finals. It was the year of rage, elation, hysteria, expectation, joy and disappointment. 2021 was a year of contradictions.It was a lot.

With that in mind, we got a bunch of our favourite photographers to send in one photo which they felt best captured 2021.

Aiyush Pachnanda

I decided to go to this event very last minute. I knew of who was playing at the event, but really didnt know what I was in for As soon as the event kicked off, it felt like I was in a trance. Being around other South Asian people in a rave? Class.

Bex Wade

This image was taken at the Solidarity Protest, one of three Palestine protests I documented in May this year. 180,000 protestors filled the streets of London, marching from Hyde Park to the Israeli Embassy in Kensington and it was considered to be one of the largest pro-Palestine demonstrations in British history.

Having swiftly removed myself from a crush of mid-pandemic bodies on the high street, Id decided to retrace my steps and walk against the crowd still descending into the gridlock. Weaving my way through the protestors, this powerful scene unfolded before me as the group paused, chanting cries of Free, free Palestine.

Charlie Kwai

As part of my work documenting the UK, I visit Margate often. My work suffered immensely because of COVID but this was the first day it felt good again doing what I do since the summer of 2019.

Chris Bethell

This image was taken at the vigil for Sarah Everard. Hundreds turned up to peacefully mourn for her, but shortly after nightfall the Metropolitan Police violently attempted to break up the crowd. I witnessed police officers push women backwards over benches, throw others to the ground and trample the flowers placed around the Clapham Common bandstand.

Ezekiel Santos

This photograph was taken in the summer during my first festival with my closest group of friends since 2019. It felt like we were 18 again and we were going clubbing (legally) for the first time. The energy was carnage and as you can imagine, it was a hot mess but so much fun.

Heather GlazzardP

These photos were taken at one of my first nights out after the lockdown at Big Dyke Energy (BDE). The energy was amazing the pictures remind me of my first night dancing in public again. Dancing felt so different after not being able to do it in a club for so long. When I was dancing, I didnt care who was watching anymore, I just cared how I felt.

Jake Lewis

Photographing the Euros in peak COVID times was chaotic Whilst most people were isolating from each other, hordes of drunk and drug-fuelled football fans flocked to central London. I feel like the Euros reflect how this year has gone: a massive disappointment. Getting so far, only to be let down by things out of your control.

Tarique Al-Shabazz

Whether its your social life, intimate relationships or even social media, there seems to be an expectation for us to be forever engaging. I wanted to look at how important it is to take time for yourself. You dont owe anyone anything especially not your time and space. Being alone is often negatively associated. We need to recognise that theres a huge difference between being lonely and being alone.

This celebrates those who enjoy their solitude. Those who are quietly working on themselves and those who will return in their own time on their own terms.

@daisythejones

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Photographers on Their One Photo That Summed Up 2021 - VICE

With only 2 weeks left until the biggest night of the year, Tomorrowland wants to give the People of Tomorrow across the world a night to remember On New Years Eve, One World Radio Tomorrowlands digital radio station will be throwing a spectacular and magical 24-hour-long live New Years celebration to unite the world, counting down to the start of 2022.

Featuring a special countdown at midnight in every time zone on the planet, the One World Radio hosts will be pulling out all the stops throughout the entire day, ensuring that millions of fans can dance into the new year in style, no matter where they are located.

Gear up and get ready, this is the ultimate party to end this year with a bang and ring in 2022 with the most epic party anthems in the mix, together with your friends & family, your favorite artists, and people from all corners of the world!

Dive into Tomorrowlands wide array of music

Catering to lovers of all genres and sounds in electronic dance music from house to techno and trance people can also dive into Tomorrowlands wide array of music, including the legendary Tomorrowland Aftermovies and hundreds of full sets from the past 15 years onYouTubeand the Tomorrowland Official Playlists onSpotify,SoundCloud,DeezerandApple Music.

Finally, fans can also go down memory lane and immerse themselves in more than 100 exclusive full Tomorrowland DJ sets on Apple Music from the 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019 festival editions, as well as the digital editions of Tomorrowland Around the World and Tomorrowland 31.12.2020.

Previously unavailable on streaming, legendary performances from the likes of Alesso, Amelie Lens, Carl Cox, Charlotte de Witte, David Guetta, Diplo, Hardwell, Major Lazer, Martin Garrix, The Chainsmokers, Tisto and many more are available to stream and relive theres something in there for any music fan around the world.

Leave a lasting impression this holiday season with magical gifts

TML by Tomorrowland Tomorrowlands official apparel & accessories label is giving people plenty of inspiration to surprise their friends, family and other loved ones with magical gifts and make this holiday season even more special.

Discover a bunch of unique and truly one-of-a-kind Tomorrowland items for him and her, including ski gear, jewelry, speakers and much more definitely lots of original gift ideas to celebrate music, magic and friendship during this years holiday season.

If you want to go all out, leave a lasting impression with Tomorrowlands own sparkling wine Solo Vida Reserva, a blend of magic made with the finest quality grapes and care for with love. Limited to 200 bottles worldwide, the sparkling wine comes in a stunningly designed, one of a kind bottle. A true form of craftsmanship, heritage and authenticity, making it perfect for sharing and celebrating magical New Years Eve moments of happiness and joy together with friends and family.

Tune in to One World Radio on December 31st and celebrate New Years with Tomorrowland and people from all over the world!

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Tomorrowland's One World Radio to throw a spectacular 24-Hr-long NYE celebration - Rave Jungle