I am no good at writing reviews listing set by set with a critical analysis of each DJ, so this review is a very personal one focusing on what Dreamscape means to me and about the vibe. OK, Dreamscape 28. Where to start? For me a big event like this is forefront in my mind for a long time before the event itself. So I'll start with early in the day - trying to keep the bubbling feeling under control while dealing with the kids and my wife (who deserves a shout for not kicking up a fuss when I want to be going out for what amounts to 18 hours of being out of the house - love you.) Soon after dinner time my bruv arrives with his mate from work, who's attending his first Dreamscape. Hung around for another couple of hours trying not to make it apparent that we were desperate to get going. 3 o'clock rolls round - kisses all round and cries of 'Have a good one, Dad' from the kids and 'Behave yourself' from my wife, and WE'RE OFF!. Whipped into town to pick up Gary and then hit the M5 up to Junction 23. We got to the venue and found that we were amongst a very few early birds, but that's the way I like it (uh huh, uh huh). I just love that build up - greeting arrivals, getting the vibe going and all that. So once the queue had started we got up and joined it and WOY! that wind was chilly! cut right through yer, so it did. Come 5 to 7 and I'm starting to suffer - I want to be in there so bad. At about 15 after they started letting us in and the horns and the whistles ripped the air. Through the main gate and then up through a mindspinning zigzag of barriers to the search bit - no worries and we're in!!! Through then up to the entrance to the main arena and told we would be let in at 8. OK - rough at the time but it's a policy I really rate. It means fewer people miss that first set and also means the vibe is going from the word go. Also a chance to say hallo to people and start hyping each other up. And OH! when that security man said 'right-oh' what a rush - down to the front and let it all loose!!! That is SUCH a feeling - to be there, to be amongst my kind of people and to feel that sound pumping it's way up through my body, through my mind and filling the arena, hands in the air and whistle going full on. One of the great things about the big events is the NOISE - whistle posse (that's me) and horn crew just going for it with no worries. These days I find myself sometimes one of only a few with a whistle and I miss that so it's good to be amongst so many fellow whistlers. I couldn't find it in myself to stop moving til 11pm when there was a meetup arranged at the burger van. Hung around for a bit - met up with Matt from Plymouth - good to see him again (shout to you Matt). I was reminded that the Techno Dred I - the man like the DJ Easygroove - was on at 3am in the old skool room. I was nearly going to blow it out for Brisk but I'm glad I didn't - Easygroove AND Robbie Dee??? Took me right back to the days of Thunderdome and Dance Planet @ Cornwall Coliseum (back in ye olde days!) - shivers up and down the spine and a wicked vibe to the MAX. The only other time I made it out of the main arena was when I went in search of my bruv in the Techno Room to find Mark EG on the decks. I have NEVER heard a reaction like that man got from the crowd - he'll go so far if he holds true. I have never kept dancing for so long and rested so little - I just couldn't stop for long. The vibe was just wicked and I was glad to see that there was plenty of smiles, handshaking and greeting going on (my bruv said that was a bit lacking at 27). I usually get around a bit more - I didn't even get to the Drum and Bass Room for instance and that surprised me (!) - but the vibe held me there and wouldn't let me go. Top spots of the night for me had to be Easygroove and Robbie Dee - In the main arena Jumping Jack Frost and Hixxy kicked it good and, as always, Slipmatt and Sy to finish it - lifted me right up to push myself when I was feeling well fucked. Disappointed and disbelieving as always when the last track has been played - can it really have been 12 hours? Never seems like it. Back out to sunshine and blue skies and then having to dash home in time to get my boy to his football match and then go shopping - ha, ha, ha - no rest for the seriously wicked. The general opinion, asking around, was a good time was had by all. The only gripes were - crappy funfair (1 ride is NOT a funfair) and some of the overall production was not what it has been at previous events - (inflatables and other fripperies, etc) but, ultimately, that's not what I'm there for maaan. So long as the music kicks and the vibe is loving I'm happy. Looking forward to the next one - see you there?
