The lengthy-working “Daft Punk at the Trash Fence” prank at Burning Man has mutated into one thing completely completely different.
At this yr’s occasion, hundreds flocked to a location in Black Rock City—a camp known as “Dusty Throwdown”—after studying an commercial submitted to the Rockstar Librarian Music Guide. The advert promoted performances from RÜFÜS DU SOL, Kerala Dust and an unheralded musical act known as Persephone, who had been stated to be enjoying on Tuesday evening and early Wednesday morning.
But they discovered no camp below that title—and not one of the artists. It was a hoax.
Kerala Dust had heard concerning the faux advert upfront and tried to dispel the rumors over social media, however it was too late.
Kerala Dust/Facebook
Perhaps the Librarian herself—who publishes the information during which individuals voluntarily submit—was in on the ruse. She marked the camp as one in all her suggestions within the 41-web page information of camps, artists and artwork automobiles.
The fracas that unfolded turned again the clock to 2009, when a cloak-and-dagger “Daft Punk event” turned the stuff of Burning Man legend.
2009 Daft Punk incident
In 2009, a small themed camp wished to throw a second annual occasion enjoying music by Daft Punk and Kraftwerk to pay homage to the legendary digital music teams. The earlier yr, the hosts listed their occasion as “Kraftwerk/Daft Punk.” The subsequent yr, they modified their itemizing to “Daft Punk/Kraftwerk,” and mayhem ensued.
Hundreds of individuals confirmed up satisfied that Daft Punk can be enjoying of their 750-sq. foot tent. The crowd blocked streets in 4 instructions and wouldn’t disperse, regardless that they had been shouting on bullhorns that “Daft Punk isn’t here.”
The story has since been ironed into Burning Man lore.
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Legend of “Daft Punk at the Trash Fence” prank
After the “Daft Punk/Kraftwerk” incident, Burners began spreading rumors that “Daft Punk is playing at the Trash Fence.” Many over time have even dressed up as Daft Punk at the trash fence to gasoline the rumor.
Over time, this story has morphed into a cultural narrative of types, cautioning individuals to not belief each information. It mocks DJ chasers who’re prepared to danger their whole Burn racing to occasions and throwing warning to the wind by robbing themselves of pure discovery on the playa.
In 2017, SkiiTour and Rumpus donned the robots’ helmets for a “legendary performance” at Burning Man, making many consider that Daft Punk certainly confirmed up.
EDM.com was planning to report on the origins of the “Daft Punk at the Trash Fence” phenomenon after this yr’s burn to see if it stood the check of time. We had been curious to seek out out if the prank was nonetheless alive after the agonizing launch of Daft Punk’s cinematic “Epilogue” video in 2021, after they revealed their surprising retirement by imploding themselves on the playa.
But we by no means anticipated to listen to the prank can be revitalized by an intentional mastermind decided to maintain the ruse and narrative alive—this time with new expertise.
RÜFÜS DU SOL occasion prank – Burning Man 2022
While the origins of the Daft Punk prank are reported to be unintentional, this yr’s caper involving RÜFÜS DU SOL was fairly the alternative. Matt Mihaly, a 50-yr-previous online game designer from Novato who goes by the pseudonym “Dr. Yes,” is taking full credit score.
“I could tell you I’m sorry, but do you really want me to lie to you?” reads Mihaly’s confessional. Watching hundreds of burners fall for my prank was absolutely the peak of my Burning Man expertise this yr!”
“I did it as a result of pranks, shenanigans, and fuckery that do not damage anybody are a few of my favourite elements about Burning Man, and I noticed a chance to create a prank that a lot of individuals may very well be a part of, if unknowingly within the second,” he continues.
The ethical of the story? Always keep in mind there aren’t any definitive guides to Burning Man. That’s the great thing about the Burn.
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