Erratic is a brand new hardcore night started up by a group of ordinary ravers who wanted to set up their own night and bring a much new needed new event to the scene. The first event was at the Park club in Manchester and it was also the first hardcore event of the millennium so I went to check it out. I got to the Park right for the start at 9.00. From the outside it looked very mysterious, there was just a small entrance by the side of a building. Once inside the venue had low ceilings and had a very underground feeling to the place, which perfectly suited a night like this. The Park was a nice compact little venue and had a capacity of about 270. The dancefloor was strangely laid out because the DJ booth was situated around the corner so the DJ or MC couldn’t really see the crowd and vice versa, which was a bit of a shame. The sound system was very good though with plenty of bassline and the lighting was good as well with a few lazers here and there. The first DJ on the decks was Dub Reflex who played a wicked set of 94 / 95 hardcore to start of the night. He dropped ‘Higher Love’ by JDS which happens to my favourite ever hardcore tune alongside other wicked classics. Sadly hardly anyone had come yet. Me and the others who had already arrived were getting a bit worried that we were going to be the only ones there. In fact the venue didn’t really get into full swing until about 11.00 when loads of people came in and there was me thinking that it was only London events which takes ages to get going :) !! Next on was DJ Ardee who I was very impressed with. Starting off on a breakbeat sort of tip and progressing into some freeform and mixing in the odd bit of happy. A nice selection of everything and not being afraid to experiment with the music always gets my respect. Probably the set of the night in my opinion. DJ Remo–D followed next blending in a banging mixture of old and new, which proved popular with the crowd as there was something in set for everyone to appreciate and slowly forced more and more people onto the dancefloor. I was also impressed with the MCs on the night, And-EG, Space and Beatz. Good lyrics and knowing when and where to talk was always evident in their performances. We desperately new DJs to breakthrough in the scene, but we really need new MCs to come through the ranks as well. Next up was DJ Majestik who played a mostly freeform set. The freeform sound isn’t really played out as much down South as it is up North so I was really looking forward to hearing this set and I must admit I really liked what I heard. There was a strong trance influence which in the past I haven’t really liked, but this time I really appreciated it (shock, horror !! ). The music was banging, which had me and everybody else jumping around on the dancefloor. DJ Caine followed on next and again mix and matched between the different styles, nicely keeping the crowd in full control. Fusing a bit of happy alongside bouncy techno with some Evolution tuneage deservedly got the thumbs up from the crowd. The atmosphere was really good inside, lots of happy smiley people out to have a good time. Eventhough the place was eventually only about two thirds full, there were plenty of up for it people on the dancefloor ready to make plenty of noise. The last set of the night was Brisk who didn’t disappoint as usual. Playing it hard and banging from the moment the needle dropped, mixing his usual bouncy style with plenty of Dutch influence had the crowd going mental. The place even stayed open an extra half hour then it was supposed too and not one single person left early. Overall it was a wicked night and everyone else I spoke to had a wicked time as well. I haven’t heard hardcore music this good for a long time. When I go to these sort of up and coming nights, I want to hear music which educates the ravers and see DJs which are not afraid to experiment with the crowd. The DJs didn’t rely on the usual crowd pleasing tunes like some of the big name DJs do, they just relied on playing good cutting edge hardcore. Keep supporting nights like this and the future of the scene will be just fine. Respect to Robin, Sam, Tom and the rest of the Erratic crew…...keep up the good work lads !!! Big Shouts to: Kev, Caine, Scott Majestik, Peter, Emma, Conrad, Carly madraver, Radium (aye aye man !!), Jaimie, Matt, Bug, Michelle…….seeya around soon :) Over and Out
