Il Grande Viaggio: Italian Capodanno Trip 2014/15

Il Grande Viaggio: Italian Capodanno Trip 2014/15

"Let us go to Italy and see Gigi D'Agostino Live on New Years Eve!" that sentence, has been
said a lot over the years, and in the year of 2014 we finally decided to go!

It was a bit uncertain if we would go or not, ‘cause it took a while before we knew if/where Gigi would play, but on the 9th of december 2014 it was finally announced that Gigi would be playing new years eve on discoteca Le Rotonde in a small city called Garlasco, and then the planning could begin….
We ended up being three guys that decided to take on trip to italy: Mads (Maldestra), Michael (Wausti) and Henrik (Dj-Laeske). Mads could first arrive on december 30th, 2014, but Michael and Henrik decided to go already on december 29th, 2014 to have some extra time to check out Milano...

Monday:
We met each other at Copenhagen Airport around 5 pm, 2½ hour before our plane was scheduled to take off, so we had plenty of time; we went right through the security, then we tripped around the airport, and since we were both a bit hungry we decided to get what we danes like to call: “2 Hottere” (it was 2 french Hot dogs from a place called: “Steff’s Place”).

We sat down to eat, and waited untill we got the info of what gate we should go to (of course it was Gate F, which is located at the far end of the airport), and then we sat and waited there - it took forever to get boarded. The plane were half an hour late - we were supposed to take off around 7:35 pm but we first got onto the plane around 8 pm, and then we got even more delayed, because all the planes had to be: “De-Iced Ice Baby” before they could take off. We felt like it took forever, so we decided to rename the flight company to SlowJet instead of EasyJet - it ended with a total delay of one hour, but the good thing was that the flight would only take 1½ hour (instead of 2 hours) because of tailwind.
On board the plane we heard one of the italian stewards mention, that it was possible to buy bus tickets from the aeroporto (Milan/Malpensa) to Milano Centrale train station directly from the plane (there are about 50 km between them). It was perfect for us ‘cause we had a bit of doubt about which transport we should use.

We landed around 10:30 pm in Milan/Malpensa aeroporto and 10 min after, we were sitting on the bus to Milano Centrale. We arrived around 11:20 pm and as we entered the station, the well known voice from "Raylway - Locomotive" was coming through the speakers, and it haunted us for the rest of the trip, every time we were on a train station we were reminded of that song or the one by Luca Noise with the same voice. Anyway, we were a bit hungry, so we went straight to McDonald’s and walked to the hotel, Hotel Doré. Wausti was a fantastic “pathfinder”, and after we had walked a few blocks we finally arrived at the hotel and checked in around 11.59 pm - we ate our food and decided to go to bed - BUONA NOTTE A DOMANI!

Tuesday:
BIG SIGHTSEEING DAY - we woke up around 9 am to a beautiful sunny day with a forecast of 6-10 degrees. We went down to get some nice italian breakfast (with Nutella of course) which was included in our stay. Then around 10-10:30 am we were ready for the big Sightseeing day. We started to “Go Weeeeest” of Stazione Centrale F.S. (Milan Centrale) to see some places, so we could meet up with Mads later on and then head for the center of Milano. First we came across an old church which now is a national monument. In front of the church we saw a nonne that prayed to what we believe was “Ave Maria”. We went further on, when Laeske suddenly got an hallucination and asked Wausti: “Are we in Dubai?” then Wausti replied: “No, cosa?” “Because I can see the top at “Burj Khalifa”“ (The world’s “for the moment” highest building, which is located in Dubai). We decided to check it out and followed the spire until we ended up at the “Green House Project” which is a sight with a lot of nice green-thinking architectural buildings. After that we headed back to Stazione Centrale to enjoy the beautiful weather while waiting for Maldestra to finalmente arrivato.

Maldestra joined, and we were all pretty hungry at that time, so we thought it was now time for some lunch. We got some italian sandwiches - enjoyed them in the sun on our regular spot in front of the Stazione Centrale - and then we were fresh to move along and head into the center of Milano. We followed the advice of Gigi in “Get Down” and went down to the metro towards the bellissimo “Duomo”. On Piazza Duomo, we got attacked by the holy pigeons so we went on and headed to see the Ferrari store, which then unfortunately for us was closed for renovation. Then we went down to the metro at San Babila and took it to Palestro to see the Museo Civico di Storia Naturale (Natural History Museum) and went through the park behind it that also had a little tivoli. After that it was late afternoon and the sun was on it’s way down, and we felt pretty exhausted of all the walking, so we decided to head back to the hotel via the modern “Il tram” which took us back to Stazione Centrale and then the metro back to the hotel. After ½ an hour of rest, we went down the corner to get some dinner at a nice restaurant called “Stop, Caffetteria”  - where we got some true italian food; Pasta (for Wausti) and Pizza (for Maldestra and Laeske). After dinner, we walked back to the hotel to relax and head “early” to bed in order to be fresh for the big day…. CI VEDIAMO - BUONA NOTTE A DOMANI!

Wednesday:
CAPODANNO DAY - The big day had finally arrived! We could not believe that it was “THE day”, new year’s day, and in the night we would be celebrating Capodanno with the one and only Gigi D’Agostino and Luca Noise. We woke up at about 8.30 am because we had to get some breakfast and pack our stuff, before we had to check out at 11 am, leaving us with 7 ½ hours (we thought) before we could get into our next hotel, Hotel Flower located in Gropello Carioli, so that meant more sightseeing for us. We decided to start with heading over to see the old and beautiful “Castello Sforza” and outside the castello, we saw a marathon event with live radio on. We went through the gates of the castello and went further on through Parco Sempione behind the castello to see ”Arco Della Pace” (Arch of Peace) on Piazza Sempione.

From there we could finally try getting a ride on the old “Il tram” to the metro, that headed to Stazione Centrale where our treni to Pavia was leaving at 1.20 pm. 40 min later, around 1.59 pm, we arrived to Pavia and the first thing we saw was the “Gigi D’Agostino Capodanno”-posters on two bus stops just outside stazione di Pavia and then we knew we were on the right way (we counted them on our trip around the city, and saw about 6-7 of them). Then it was time to go check out the cittá di Pavia, but first we had to get something to eat. We came across Pizzeria Minerva, and got some pizza slices (it was possible to get one with Nutella on too, but we passed). After the little lunch break, we wanted to check out one of the sights, “Castello Visconteo” but unfortunately it was closed for the public (perhaps because of new year’s day), so instead we went down the Corso Strada Nuova all the way down to the Ticino river with the “Ponte Coperto” (the Covered Bridge) where Albert Einstein often went to think.

Around 3:45 pm we were so tired and frozen, that we decided to get the train to our next stop, the small village out on the country Gropello Cairoli where our hotel was located. Luckily for us, there was a train in that direction which was 10 min late, so we arrived even earlier than planned. From the platform of Gropello Cairoli we had to walk 10-15 min to get to the hotel. We finally hit the hotel around 5:15 pm, and the good thing was that the hotel rooms were ready for us, so we could relax and get warmed up before the big night - EVEN BETTER was that the discoteca had arranged a bus driving from the hotel to the disco, and from the discoteca back to the hotel in the morning - which was a pretty nice surprise, ‘cause we thought it was pretty strange that the disco arranged a hotel so far away (8 km.) from the location of the discoteca, and it didn’t say anywhere that a bus would come pick us up. Until we came to the hotel, where flyers were hanging all over the place with the bus time schedule. We decided to take the one leaving from the hotel at 8.10 pm (Gigi should get on stage around 9 pm), so that left us with plenty of time, to get some rest.

We arrived at the discoteca around 8.30 pm, and because we already had bought our tickets back home - even though, we were in doubt if it was even registered, ‘cause Mads only recieved a mail with confirmation of the money transfer - we could enter via the VIP entrance and jump the line - but there was nothing VIP about the wardrobe, it was a disaster, no coordination, and we were getting pretty stressed ‘cause it was close to 9 pm and Gigi could go on stage in any minute. Luckily, after about 15 min of waiting we got rid of our jackets and went into the main room where there was lined up a buffet in the middle of the dancefloor. We digged in and waited for Gigi to come… we got finished eating, and waited for Gigi to come ...we went to get something to drink, and waited for Gigi to come - and then the crew finally started to clear the floor, and Gigi came on 1½ hour late (well, it’s Gigi). “The Party Has Just Begun” - He started out with very low light, playing some Lento / Distorto non-vocal tracks, then slowly going more orchestral like we know him, playing some well known tracks/remixes.

Getting closer and closer to midnight the bass got more pumping playing tracks people could shout along with, like his remix of Jennifer Lopez - Waiting For Tonight just before the confetti bursted out - and after midnight he went back in time to the early 00’s playing some of his own, starting with the biggest of them all L’Amour Toujours and others from that period. Then he went harder and powerful again. It was pretty blended from that point and the rest of the night, except in the late end of the night he played a few italian tracks, where all the people in disco were singing along to them - not only on the dancefloor - but the WHOLE disco!.

During the entire night there was a screen behind Gigi playing visuals and funny/cool animations matching the playing tracks, which enhanced the experience a lot.

Gigi was playing in the main room, but the music also came out from the speakers in the 2nd room - and in the 3rd room there was some latin style music playing.

After Gigi had been playing for about 7 hours, it was finally time for Luca Noise to get on stage when it was around 5 am, and we were in doubt about if we should stay and take the bus at 7 am or take the early one at 5:30 am - we heard the beginning of Luca’s set while thinking, and decided to take the early one, because of the tricky home trip the day after. We had to catch the train on “stazione” di Gropello Cairoli then switch train on stazione di Pavia in direction of Milano Centrale and then finally catch a bus to the Aeroporto from there.

When we  arrived to the tiny Terminal 2 of the airport in Malpensa, Milano, there was a bit queue for the security control, but it didn’t take long before we got through it. In the boarding area it was pretty crowded, mostly because the room wasn’t very big - the lines were twisting like snakes through the entire room. They started boarding our plane only 10 min late (even though it said “boarding closing” at that time), and the only downside for us was that since there were too many with only hand luggage, they had to put ours in the cargo-room - luckily they were already on the baggage carousel at the time we arrived to it, back in Copenhagen Airport.

For Wausti and Laeske it was their first time in Italy, and an amazing experience. They are happy they finally did it - and would like to encourage others to go - do it before it’s too late!
Maldestra had been there several times before, also for Gigi events, and can report that Gigi hasn't lost his style and the event was as awesome as ever!.

For Halloween we are going again! - and hopefully many more will join us so we can have an amazing time and get a unique memory together - and perhaps finally meet some of the people, that we have known for years - but never met.
….We don’t know for how many years Gigi will be out there playing, so come along NOW!

Here we have included a list of the tracks that was played during the night - it’s not complete - Some has been taken from the official forum of Gigi “Casa Dag” and then the rest are what we could remember:

Gigi D’Agostinos Tracklist:
883 - Gli Anni (Gigi D’Agostino Remix)
Alice Deejay - Back in My Life (Gigi D’Agostino Remix)
Alice Deejay - Better Of Alone (Gigi D’Agostino Remix)
Andrea Bochelli - Vivo Per Lei (Gigi D’Agostino Remix)
AronChupa - I'm An Albatrouz
Bob Marley - One Love (Remix)
Celine Dion - My Hearts Will Go On (Gigi D’Agostino Remix)
Club Robbers - I Like it Loud
Daniele Mondello - Zombie Nation
Dario Baldan Bembo & Caterina Caselli - L’Amico è (Gigi D’Agostino Remix)
Dario G - Carneval De Paris (Gigi D’Agostino Remix)
DJ Sammy - Heaven (Remix)
Edwin Hawkins Singers - Oh Happy Day
Gigi D’Agostino - Another Way
Gigi D’Agostino - Borgata Dag
Gigi D’Agostino - Fly
Gigi D’Agostino - L'Amour
Gigi D’Agostino - L'Amour Toujours
Gigi D’Agostino - La Danse
Gigi D’Agostino - La Differenza
Gigi D’Agostino - Narcotic (Vocale Versione)
Gigi D’Agostino - Natale
Gigi D’Agostino - Paciocco
Gigi D’Agostino - Piccola Stella Senza Cielo
Gigi D’Agostino - Popcorn (Gigi D’Agostino Tanz)
Gigi D’Agostino - Stand By Me (Live Versione)
Gigi D’Agostino - The Riddle
Gigi D’Agostino - Un Giorno Credi
Gigi D’Agostino - Urlando Contro Il Cielo
Gigi D’Agostino - You Spin Me Round
Gigi D’Agostino & Luca Noise - Guarda Insieme a Me
Gigi & Molly - Con Il Nastro Rosa (Gigi D'Agostino Gigatrip)
Hard In Tango - This is My Deejay
Hozier - Take Me To Church (Remix)
J.T.S. - Nog Een Keer
Jennifer Lopez - Waiting For Tonight (Gigi D’Agostino Remix)
Joan Osbourne - One of Us (Gigi D’Agostino Remix)
John Lennon - Happy Xmas
Kronos - Magica Europa
Luca Noise - Moonlight Shadow (Gigi D’Agostino & Luca Noise Trip)
Mark ‘Oh Meets Digital Rockers - Because I Love You
Molella - Discotek People
Molto Folk - Canto Do Mar (Gigi D'Agostino Pescatore Mix)
Onironauti - Rodamòn
Opera - Ludwig is Alive
Orchestra Maldestra - Tecno Uonz (Gigi D’Agostino & Mondello Mix)
Prezioso feat. Marvin - Le Louvre
Prezioso feat. Marvin - Let's Talk About a Man
Prezioso feat. Marvin - Rock The Discotek
Prezioso feat. Marvin - We Rule The Danza
Provenzano DJ & Danijay - Catch Me (Jump Remix)
EU4YA - Sará Perche Ti Amo (Gigi D’Agostino Remix)
Rino Gaetano - Ma Il Cielo è Sempre Più Blu (Molella Remix)
Skrillex Vs. Damian Marley - Make It Bun Dem
The KGB’s - Techno Gym (Hardstyle Guru Mix)
Unconditional - Computer Love
Vasco Rossi - Albachiara (Gigi D’Agostino Remix)
Vanilla Ice - Ice Ice Baby (Gigi D’Agostino Remix)
? - Acid Test
? - Blow
? - Cacciavite
? - Pensiero Inkazzato
? - Playing in My Way
? - Scivolo
? - Acid Music
? - Angel in Disguise
? - Automationhouse
? - Knockin' On Heaven's Door
?- My Religion
? - One More
?- Pappà L'Americano (Remix)
? - Push It To The Limit
? - Raduno di Camionisti
? - Speranza
? - Take a Loss
? - Tennesse

another version of Fra Martino (Mister Jacob)

Luca Noises Tracklist:
Lilly Wood & The Prick and Robin Schulz - Prayer In C (Luca Noise Remix) ...maybe confirmed by Luca Noise
Gabry Ponte - Time To Rock (Luca Noise Remix)
Gigi D’Agostino & Luca Noise - Lab 9
Ottomix & Dj Groovy - Tiko Tiko (Luca Noise Remix 2012)
The Guru Josh Project - Infinity (Luca Noise Remix)

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