The long-running “Daft Punk on the Trash Fence” prank at Burning Man has mutated into one thing solely completely different.
At this yr’s occasion, 1000’s flocked to a location in Black Rock Metropolis—a camp referred to as “Dusty Throwdown”—after studying an commercial submitted to the Rockstar Librarian Music Information. The advert promoted performances from RÜFÜS DU SOL, Kerala Mud and an unheralded musical act referred to as Persephone, who had been stated to be taking part in on Tuesday evening and early Wednesday morning.
However they discovered no camp beneath that identify—and not one of the artists. It was a hoax.
Kerala Mud had heard concerning the faux advert upfront and tried to dispel the rumors over social media, nevertheless it was too late.
Kerala Mud/Fb
Maybe the Librarian herself—who publishes the information through which individuals voluntarily submit—was in on the ruse. She marked the camp as one in all her suggestions within the 41-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 occasion” grew to become the stuff of Burning Man legend.
2009 Daft Punk incident
In 2009, a small themed camp wished to throw a second annual occasion taking part in 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.
A whole lot of individuals confirmed up satisfied that Daft Punk could be taking part in of their 750-square foot tent. The gang blocked streets in 4 instructions and wouldn’t disperse, though they had been shouting on bullhorns that “Daft Punk isn’t right here.”
The story has since been ironed into Burning Man lore.
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Legend of “Daft Punk on the Trash Fence” prank
After the “Daft Punk/Kraftwerk” incident, Burners began spreading rumors that “Daft Punk is taking part in on the Trash Fence.” Many through the years have even dressed up as Daft Punk on the trash fence to gas the rumor.
Over time, this story has morphed right into a cultural narrative of types, cautioning individuals to not belief each information. It mocks DJ chasers who’re keen to threat 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 efficiency” 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 on the Trash Fence” phenomenon after this yr’s burn to see if it stood the take a look at of time. We had been curious to search out out if the prank was nonetheless alive after the agonizing launch of Daft Punk’s cinematic “Epilogue” video in 2021, once they revealed their surprising retirement by imploding themselves on the playa.
However we by no means anticipated to listen to the prank could 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
Whereas the origins of the Daft Punk prank are reported to be unintentional, this yr’s caper involving RÜFÜS DU SOL fairly the alternative. Matt Mihaly, a 50-year-old online game designer from Novato who goes by the pseudonym “Dr. Sure,” is taking full credit score.
“I may let you know I am sorry, however do you actually need me to deceive you?” reads Mihaly’s confessional. Watching 1000’s 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 components about Burning Man, and I noticed a possibility to create a prank that lots of people may very well be a part of, if unknowingly within the second,” he continues.
The ethical of the story? All the time keep in mind there are not any definitive guides to Burning Man. That’s the fantastic thing about the Burn.
