The venues colossal arches stunned me as I took my first steps into this stunning nocturnal village of raving madness. On entering the Drome the friendly, underground atmosphere was instantly apparent. After taking couple of early raving photos with my mates, I was surprised, and very pleased, to find a member of the Raindance team waiting to ask if we'd like him to take a photo of us all together. Afterwards he shook our hands and wished us a good night, a nice touch. As I journeyed through the Drome's legendary labyrinth of tunnels in a desperate quest to track down the hardcore arena I stumbled across DJ Dice knocking out some tough drum and bass to an army of mad attitude free jungle ravers. After a good warm up in there I made my way to the hardcore room to hear USH's very own Ponder and Happy Bounce. I couldn't believe that at 11 o clock in a room that is supposedly playing music that many presume dead, two up and coming DJ's not only maintained such an overwhelming crowd of ravers but also sent them into delerious scenes of stomping elation, well done Ponder and Happy Bounce and I definitely hope to hear more similarly minded sets from the deadly duo. Gasping for breath in the wake of that banging set the arena was pleasantly greeted by the presence old fave Jimmy J on the decks, who proceeded to capitalise on the wild atmosphere he had inherited from the USH duo, dropping lots of quality tunage such as 6 days on the run, and the undeniable scene classic Toytown by Hixxy and Sharkey. Next came the USH meet up at one where I had the opportunity to meet lots of the happy smiley people that had congregated around the USH pen and paper point (another nice touch). It was nice to meet Kev, Dimi (sorry for getting your name wrong;)), dj4uea, Paul USH and DJ Scottie, who from what I had heard when I went into the old skool room had played a wicked set. Everyone there was soo friendly and it added another enjoyable aspect to the night. Desperate to hear one of my favourite DJ's Spinback in action I headed to the Hardcore arena for some more raving madness. Spinback played a stunning set, incorporating jungle, old skool and hardcore in his selection to a stomping crowd, which for me summed up the whole raindance experience. Q-project's defining classic Champion Sound helped build the set into a frenetic rave frenzy that climaxed with one of my personal faves 'In effect' by Red Alert and Mike Slammer. Up next was the ravers choice Wax City's very own DJ Kaos. Unfortunately, his intended partner in crime, Energy, was unable to make it back down from a trance gig up in Manchester. However those expecting a full blast of fromage a la Go Mental as a result of this turn of events, were left disappointed as Kaos played a more thoughtful and consistent set than his previous recent efforts. Intriguingly, starting things up with a fresh remix of Alex Reece's funky jungle 'Pulp Fiction', Johnny Go Go's set soon transcended into its usual 4 beat madness, dropping his own production 'Jump to this' as the room exploded. Kaos' own forthcoming production followed, packed full of wicked old skool samples, finishing up with a hardcore energised sample of the 'sweet harmony' piano line. Kaos finished up his impressive set with Sy and Unknown current quosh tastic tune 'Gonna Get Ya'. As I raved my heart out to this mental tune who do I see arrive before me.yes the one and only DJ Energy had made the dedicated journey back down to embrace the hand that feeds him and fulfill his booking. An act that would bewilder most money grabbing and egotistical DJ's, Energy showed that some, yes just some, actually do this DJ-ing thing for the love of music, and are more interested than the sweet sound of musical notes, than the feel of bank notes in their pockets. Kicking off with some top quality hard trance, and raving madly behind the decks, Energy played a typically excellent set. Waves of uplifting trance melodies built up into a cyclone freeform madness. As arguably the best freeform tune of all time 'deep trouble' kicked into action, Storm, who along with Whizzkid was strong on the mic all night long, asked the mental crowd "Who wants it faster?!". Naturally the crowds response was vociferous, to say the least, as Energy started to pitch up his already banging set. A set as good as that demanded an amazing finale and it got what it deserved as the brilliant "death by stereo" by hardcore legends Marc Smith and Sharkey, took control. After that hour of incredible raving the crowd erupted into a celebratory roar, probably drowning out the music for everyone raving in the adjacent house arena. Energy saluted the crowd, job well done. I then checked out the huge old skool room to be pleasantly met with Squirrel on the deck who played some proper old skool classics such as 'the bouncer' and 'your love' by the prodigy,comlimented by the stunning lazer show taking place. This was without doubt or exaggeration the best rave I have been to, everything from the people, the size and range of the arenas, to the little touches such as free fruit and the surreal massage parlour made this a truly amazing experience. A proper undergound venue, Raindance obviously know what to do and how to do it. Having been my first raindance, I can definitely say it wont be my last. Now who said hardcore was dead?
