I've tried this a couple of times but it doesn't work for me, probably because I'm not willing to let Google follow me everywhere on the web. It looks like YouTube is required for music and won't start without it.

Instead of using giant Opus files that require you to rely on Google to make your site affordably hosted, how about using the "tracker" technology of yore? It let folks enjoy downloaded electronic music back in the dialup era. Formats include MOD, XM, IT and S3M and there are a bunch of semi-abandoned JS implementations.

Why not? It is open-source[0] so this can be added by anyone interested in this.

But IMO a major component of the experience is seeing a DJ playing on the stage, which is why all of the videos are from HÖR Berlin[1] where this is their format.

[0]: https://github.com/stagas/hallucinate

[1]: https://www.youtube.com/@hoer.berlin https://hoer.live/

> how about using the "tracker" technology of yore?

now that would be a party I'd join to rock to some Dune/Orange or Purple Motion/FC tunes :)