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In the past decade, the rise of social media has revolu- tionized how rave culture, particularly within the tech- no and hard techno scene, is experienced and shared. Videography, especially in the hands of professionals like Robin De Cock, better known by his moniker arro- gantwerpen, has reshaped the way ravers and fans en- gage with these events. But as Robin points out, the role of videographers in this space is both celebrated and critiqued.
On one hand, videography has undeniably elevated the reach of techno and rave culture. Platforms like Insta- gram and TikTok have become instrumental in giving ravers a way to relive unforgettable nights. Robin no- tes that,
“The rise of platforms like Instagram has really expan- ded the scale of the scene. A well-crafted video can make the energy of an event accessible to someone sitting at home, miles away from the rave.”
Emerging artists now have a way to build their fanbase long before they even take the stage, and for festivals and clubs, visual content helps generate excitement and a wider audience.
However, Robin acknowledges the downsides:
“We’re seeing a shift where some of the intimacy and subtlety of raving is lost in translation. DJs are beco- ming rockstars, and that puts the focus on the artist’s presence rather than the music.”
He touches on the phenomenon of the “sea of iPhones,” where attendees, more interested in capturing content for social media, are missing out on being fully present.
“You see people recording the best drops or transitions instead of dancing to them. For those of us who’ve been in the scene a while, that’s a shame,” he adds.
For Robin, balancing these dynamics while staying true to the authentic rave spirit is key to his work as a videographer. When asked how he visually represents the energy and emotion of a techno event, he explains,
“Every video I shoot tells a micro-story. It’s not just about capturing a DJ or a crowd—it’s about creating a visual narrative where all these elements come toge- ther: the music, the lights, the architecture, the people.”
His work aims to communicate the visceral experience of connection and community that raves foster, ensu- ring viewers feel like they’re part of the moment even if they weren’t physically present.
Robin elaborates on his technique:
“If the DJ is playing hard, intense tracks, I’ll go hand- held with shaky movements and fast zooms to match the chaos. If it’s a groovier, more melodic set, I’ll use a gimbal for smooth, subtle movements that flow with the vibe.”
This approach highlights the duality in rave culture be- tween darkness and light, chaos and harmony.
“Techno has always played with contrasts—there’s the raw, primal energy of the crowd against the more inti- mate, introspective moments,” he explains.
His color grading choices emphasize this duality as well.
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“I use high contrast, sharpness, and rich colors to cap- ture the energy. Each event has its own atmosphere, and color helps retell that vibe in a way that feels au- thentic.”
When it comes to the tension between authenticity and commercialization, Robin doesn’t shy away from acknowledging the shift.
“I don’t mind the conversation around the commercia- lization of techno,” he says.
“Look, I come from a dubstep and drum-and-bass background, and I’ve seen the transition from under- ground to mainstream before. Sure, there’s nostalgia for the more intimate days of raving, but we need to evolve. The scene is bigger, and that’s not necessarily a bad thing.”
For Robin, smaller venues are still where the magic ha- ppens.
“Large-scale events with big productions are impres- sive, no doubt, but they can feel a bit detached. The intimacy of a small club, with a 360-degree booth and the crowd right there with the DJ—that’s where I think the best footage happens.”
In terms of shaping the collective memory of rave culture, Robin sees videographers as essential to documenting this cultural moment, especially in a post-pandemic world.
“I always believe I am documenting a slice of history. After COVID, rave culture has exploded. People are co- ming back to these spaces after so long without human connection, and there’s a sense of liberation that co- mes with that. Capturing this freedom, connection, and love is an absolute privilege and a responsibility I take very seriously.”
Behind the camera, Robin seeks to capture emotional states that feel raw and genuine.
“For me, it’s about honesty. I try to build a connection with both the DJ and the crowd. If they feel comforta- ble, they almost forget I’m there, and that’s when the real magic happens.”
Building rapport is key to his process.
“Spending time with the artist, getting into the crowd— these things help me blend in, and that’s where the most authentic moments come from,” he says.
Challenges are inevitable when filming live performan- ces, but Robin remains unfazed.
“The biggest challenge right now is the number of pho- nes in the crowd. Everyone’s filming for their Instagram, and while I get it, it can ruin a shot. I usually just politely ask them to pause, and there’s a lot of respect for what I’m trying to do, so people are pretty cool about it.”
In the end, Robin’s work is as much about collaboration and trust as it is about technical skill.
“It’s all about trust. When the artist trusts your vision, and you trust their music, something special happens.”
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