After a mixing rave buildup round Kevs house, we all set off to what was going to be an absolutely storming wicked night! Myself, Ponder and Happy Bounce split off to fetch our flyers and stuff for after Raindance, and when we got back we were surprised to realise we were all on the Raindance Guestlist, and bugger it we all had paid for tickets already not knowing this! hehe First up after queing a while for the cloakroom, we headed off at about 10.30 into the hardcore arch, pretty packed out already we thought we'd pop around the place checking out all the rooms. Jimmy J was playing some oldskool, which was amazing with those lazers just flying over our heads streaming along the ceiling, the walls hehe wicked. 6 days were amongst other classic tunes which I just can't remember at this moment in time, the ravers all seemed to be whistling every minute making such a noise in here, very big appreciation towards the oldskool! Between here and Uplifts set I can't remember what we were doing...probably chilling out in the USH area which was luvly to have :) Uplift was actually playing in the same arch as to where the USH area was, so we popped down to the DJ booth where Cris.E.Manic was there, and telling us how the mixing desk had no monitor! So Uplift had to have that lil bit extra concentration and he certainly used it well, pulling off some wicked tunes, first up carrying on from the previous DJ with some 89 oldskool.... After a few of these Uplift then drops FEEL REAL GOOD, and straight away the place is pretty packed out! From then on it was 91/92 tunes all the way with the likes of SWEET HARMONY and LOCK UP. After this we then headed off into the hardcore arch to catch Energy's 1-2 set. Straight away you can see the arch is packed out, but no way am I missing Energy's set! So hustling our way closer to the DJ booth ;) we stomp away to his usual hard freeform style, banging away all night with MC Storm ripping it up with his uplifting MC'ing. Always such a wicked set from Energy, whistles blowing, horns blowing, feet stomping all night in this arch. Sharkey then followed onto Energy's set, where he played a 96 hardcore set, which was unusual for me to hear from Sharkey. The set was boombastic all the way, the bpm's got faster and faster, playing tunes such as the TERMINATOR on GBT amongst other top quality stomping hardcore. Sharkey even had time between one or two tunes to step down onto the main floor and MC over his own set which was very impressively kool headed from MrBonkerz 'imself. The last tune he dropped was that original RUFF MUFF on RUFFNECK records, this tune was so banging especially as Sharkey played it at about 190bpms at least! wicked! :) ! Billy Bunter was up next from 3-4, but I was pretty worn out after the continuos hard super fast beats from the freeform kru, so sat down in the USH chillout area for a bit. It was at this time Slammin' Sam came up to Paul (Ponder), and told him a very nice thing. Tony Raindance was chatting with Sam, saying how he hasn't got anyone to play the 7-8 hardcore set tonight, so Sam mentions Ponder having some tunes with him. Tony and Sam then come over to Paul asking him if he'd like to play the last set after Vibes! Of course Ponder jumped at the chance, and what a wicked thing this was for Ponder, nice one mate! So in the cab Ponder goes, gets his tunes from a flat only 2 miles away. Comes back and yes it's confirmed now 7-8 :) Myself and Mark (Happy Bounce) now have to start flyering after queuing up for our coats (which was a lil slow with everyone crushing eachother) Flyering for a bit outside, 7am soon reaches us and Mark goes in for the first half-hour of Ponders set. Mark then comes back outside for me to catch the last part of Ponders set, and blimee it was wicked! Walking on inside the hardcore arch, the hardcore is banging away and I couldn't believe it was Ponder playing until I had to see him on the decks first! hehe There he was, with some of the USH kru stomping away around me, playing some fast hardcore, which I was so happy about. Holding my wet jacket from the rain outside, I stomp away with RaveGirl and Slammin'Sam all whistling and blowing there horns to the sounds of Mr DJ Ponder. The end of his set was coming along, everyone shouted "ONE MORE! ONE MORE!" and so he did,,,actually play a few more! Ponder finishes the night off with RAINBOW ISLANDS, and everyone leaves home as happy as can be. Wicked top event. Wicked top venue. Wicked top atmosphere. Raindance and FutureDance what a pair of events to have with us! :) Shout outs to: Ponder, Happy Bounce, Slammin' Sam, Kev, Chedda, Smithers, RaveGirl, Caine, Cris.E.Manic, Uplift, Lukozade (happy birthday!), Chedda, Kaos, Vinal, Peter, Paul and anyone I may have missed out here and seen on the night.
