This was Raindance’s second time at the Drome and after experiencing the first one and seeing how wicked the night was, I had no intention of missing this one. I arrived at the Drome at about 10.00 and there was already a big queue forming outside. But unlike last time the queue was moving reasonably quickly and I was inside in just under an hour. After a firm but fair search but the security I was finally in, and in great expectation to how the night would turn out. The cloakroom was also a lot better and bigger then last time, so queuing time there was also greatly reduced. It’s nice to see promoters who take time to listen to the ravers and genuinely make the effort to sort out the necessary problems, making the night better for everyone. It was basically the same layout of rooms as last time and the Drome was looking wicked as ever, I can’t emphasise to how good this venue really is. The first arena I checked out was the old skool arena, which have to say was looking absolutely wicked. It was in the biggest of arches like normal and the lazer show at the front was amazing. I’ve haven’t seen a lazer show that good for a long time. Jedi and Stormtrooper were on the decks playing a wicked selection of classics such as ‘Music’s so Wonderful’ and ‘SMD 1’ which certainly got the crowd more then warmed up for the night. The sound system in here was booming and supplied plenty of bassline. In fact the production in all the arenas was very impressive. Each room had excellent sound and lighting and the décor was good throughout with plenty of UV backdrops / drapings dotted about. There were also silly things like giant inflatable balloons being released into the crowd during the night for everyone to throw about which produced a few laughs and a half. I then decided to check out the hardcore room where the DJ was placed right at the front and could be seen very clearly by the crowd. The room seemed slightly bigger then last time and had a capacity of around 300. Billy Bunter was on the decks and played an excellent set. Playing mainly a 1994 / 95 hardcore selection such as ‘Feel Good’ by Vibes & Wishdokta and then finishing off with some of his wicked GBT tunes like ‘Body Slam’, which had the crowd fully rocking inside. And not only did the ravers have the pleasure of Billy Bunter on the decks, we also had the pleasure of Billy Bunter on the mic hyping up the crowd at the same time, which was quite entertaining to see. Next up was Sy who played a good set but a tad bit disappointing in my opinion. He played too many old tunes like ‘Heart of Gold’ and didn’t play as much upfront stuff like I was really hoping he would do. Also Sy didn’t do as much of his trademark scratching as normal, but still it was a good set and the crowd showed plenty of appreciation for him. The big chillout area was looking nicely decked as ever. There were huge mattresses for everyone to crash out on and there were numerous stalls spread out around the side selling everything from UV accessories to classic flyers to water pistols !!! There were also more toilets supplied then last time, but I still think there weren’t enough, as I had the queue for up to 15 minutes to use the toilet sometimes. I then decided to check out the drum and bass arena, which was in the second biggest arch and was also heaving. Brockie was on the decks supplying rolling bassline after rolling bassline and got everyone throwing their hands in the air wanting rewind after rewind. All the arenas were rammed all night, but not too packed, it was nicely packed, everyone had enough space to dance and move about, which was good. Back in the hardcore arena, it was time for Sharkey & Energy b2b, who I thought were exceptional. Playing a wicked selection of their freeform sound such as ‘Future Dimension’ by Energy & Druid, had the crowd going mental on the dancefloor. It was so refreshing to hear the sort of tunes they were banging out, instead of hearing the same old hardcore tunes over and over again, set of the night in my opinion. The atmosphere throughout the whole venue was excellent as well. True raving atmosphere, no attitude, just people out to have a good time. Everyone was more then up for it on all the dancefloors and the crowd also seemed a lot more noisier then last time which was good to see. But lets face it, it was the hardcore ravers who were generating the most noise and mayhem out of all the people there :) Just past 4.00 and time for Vinyltrixter on the wheels of steel. MC Storm was also now in control of the mic and did a fine job as ever. Making sure all the ravers were stomping mad on the dancefloor and getting maximum performance from the whistles and horns crew. Vinyltrixter played a wicked set, nice and bouncy blending in quite a few vocal uplifting tunes as well like ‘Eternity’ by Triple J. As Vibes failed to show, DJ Storm filled in after, who I think is one of the best up and coming DJs around. He kept up the bpm level playing a banging mixture of bouncy tunes with a few Evolution tunes thrown in for good measure, which had the packed dancefloor loving it. The venue was pretty much packed right up until the end, everybody was still very much enjoying themselves. It was now 6.00, the last hour and time for Easy Ed who I have to say, I wasn’t impressed with at all. He played pretty much the same set as he did at the last Raindance. His first 2 tunes were ‘Heart of Gold’ into ‘Shooting Star’ (just as I predicted) and then played far too much cheese after that. Overall it was a truly excellent night and sure to be one of the best raving nights I will have out this year. I thought it was also slightly better then the first event as the organisation seemed a lot better this time around and everyone seemed a lot more up for it on the dancefloor. Respect again to the Raindance crew. In this day and age when other big name promoters want to dispose of hardcore, Raindance are more then happy to do everything they can to support the hardcore scene. Get yourselves to the next Raindance at the Drome for a wicked night out, you will not be disappointed :) Big Shouts to: Paul, Kev, Happybounce, Chedda, Peter, Emma, Andrew, Jo, Carol, Time, Ponder, Smithers, Matt, Dj S, Radium, Conrad, Jonathan, Lloyd, Abi, Tina, Happy J, Nemesis, Gum, Chris tha Rava, Eleanor, Stix, Luke, Steve, Roo, Justin Vinyl, Carly madraver, Alister, Jon, Stuart, Lizzie, ‘cheeseboy’ Breaker, Rich, Jo, Chris Rolfe, Nick EP, Tom Tunisia Top, Snow, Maxim, Tony@Raindance…..…hugs to the girls, handshakes to the boys.…...seeya around soon :) Over and Out Slammin’ Sam
