I arrived at the Drome just after 9.30pm and already a big queue was winding its way down the long tunnel. The clockwork guardsman was up to his usual tricks of entertaining the crowd. The usual occurrence of the ravers blowing their whistles and horns was in full effect, showed to me the crowd was most definitely up for this. After a swift search by the friendly security I finally ventured inside. The layout was similar to how it usually is. All the usual array of stalls were scattered around the chillout arches selling every single rave accessory you could possibly think off. First stop for me was the hardcore arena. When entering the room, the first thing which struck me was the high level of production in there, just seems to get better and better. Good sound system, lighting + lazers, UV backdrops, inflatables, big cooling fans at the front. Definitely a lot of effort had gone into putting on a good show for the hardcore ravers. First DJs on the decks were Happy Bounce + Ponder who once again played a top banging set. With a lot of breakbeat influence in their tune selection, including a few exclusive Robbie Long dubplates, got the crowd going from the start. The room didn’t seem to fill up as quickly as last time though, probably because of the England football match on the same night. Next up on the decks was Bosha who started off on a happier tip and progressed into some more banging bouncy stuff towards the end, which I thought sounded quite good and certainly got me going. The hardcore room was now rammed to the rafters and everyone was fast becoming covered head to toe in sweat. Vibes followed on next, playing a mainly 95/96 selection. It was a good set by Vibes, similar in vain to his previous Future Dance 3 set. Mainly staying away from the cheese / girlcore and just played good banging hardcore, with a few classic breakbeaty tunes thrown in for good measure. Lets hope he stays in this current rich vain of form and keeps those cheesy rip offs well away from the decks. The atmosphere at Raindance was excellent as it always is, lots of happy smiley people everywhere. Everyone was well up for it on all the dancefloors and the Raindance vibe was definitely in full effect. It was now 1.00, so I decided to venture over to the old skool arch. It was very dark in there, which gave it a nice underground feeling. Once again the lazer show at the front was breathtaking. Jimmy J was on the decks playing a mainly 94/95 set, virtually identical to his previous Raindance set, but to be honest nobody seemed too bothered by this. Dropping tunes like ‘Take me away’ and ‘Toytown’, which sent the old skool crowd stomping mad, showing even they like a bit of 4 beat now and again :) Back in the hardcore room, it was time for Billy Bunter playing another of his classic 94 – 97 sets. Starting off with anthems such as SMD 3 and finishing with the seminal ‘Body Slam’ had the crowd rocking from the start. I then decided to go for a bit of wander around the old venue. The drum and bass arena was rammed all night as well, managed to catch a bit of Ian Dee’s set, which sounded very good. The big chillout arch was of course stacked full of ravers nattering away to each other, and the usual bunch of causalities strewn out on the mattresses. There were even people dressed up in 6 ft high alien costumes parading around and blending in with the ravers. I thought you usually only get those sort of things at techno / trance events, but not any more by the looks off it :) However the venue did seem a bit too busy at times, it did take a long time to get from one room to another due to the amount of people. But I suppose it just shows what a massive and popular force on the scene Raindance has become. Just past 4.00 so I headed back into the hardcore room, just catching the tail end of Herman + Storm’s set. As usual, the pace of their set was fast and bouncy and showcasing plenty of their brand new tunes to the crowd. After them was Energy who I thought was outstanding, unleashing a banging freeform assault on the crowd. He seemed to play it slightly more banging and less trancier, then his recent sets, lets hope he keeps that way. Playing ‘Take me up’ remix and ‘In deep trouble’ amongst others, had everyone going mad. I also noticed how technically good he is behind the decks. His beat matching and the way he was constantly chopping the beats in the different tunes was of the highest standard. There did seem a lack on MC activity on the night. First half of the night, Whizzkid was on control doing a fine job as ever. But as the night went on there seemed to be less and less activity on the mic. But still I wasn’t too fussed by that, the music did all the talking for me. Frisky, touring over from Canada was next on the decks and played a reasonably good set. Veering over to a more happy direction, with tunes like ‘Love, life & happiness’ and a few Evolution tunes, perhaps a bit too predictable at times but got a good reaction from the crowd. It was now 6.00 and time for London’s very own Uplift to step up onto the decks. Dropping tunes like the new Infinity 23 and his very own production ‘24 hours in Aldershot’ had the packed crowd still well up for it on the dancefloor. Now the hardcore room was due to shut at 7.00, but as there were still so many people in there, it was allowed to go on for another hour. So Lukozade joined Uplift on the decks, slipping in a few 96 tunes like ‘Love you more’ by Paul Elstak and ‘Rock this place’ by DJ Chewy along the way, made it a nice way to round off the night. Overall, it was another top Raindance night. Everyone I chatted too was very impressed with the night and had an excellent time. These Drome events just seem to be getting better and better. Judging the amount of people that were there, they seem to be getting more and more popular too. Raindance, the standard has been set :) Big Shouts to:- Joe, Paul, Kev, Andrew, Jaimie, Carol, Chedda, The one and only Happy Bounce, Ponder, Sonic the invisible man, Jo, Ade, Lloyd, Icekold Pete, Stix, Chrissy, Steve, Luke, Adidas Matt, Beth, Happy J, Bedford Caine, Scottie, Peachy, Nemesis, Twigg, Mupster, Barking Boy, ‘Brocking’ Breaka, Billybass, Misdee, Paulie, Nick EP, Becki, Mick Madness, Tina, Alistair, Potfish, Snow, Tom U4ea, Luna VC, Haynes, RAF, Phick, RaverGeoff, Dave Spice, SD, Happs, Katic, Shiva, Alieeson, Spacecadet, Kaya, Unit-E, Simon Mdma, Egg fried rice, Hypnosis, Mikey B of the Birkenhead, Jester, MC Whizzkid + Tony@Raindance…..…hugs to the girls, handshakes to the boys……..seeya around soon :) Over and Out Sam
