The ravers return to the Sanctuary, probably the most anticipated event of the year had finally come around. The event was a chance for Slammin’ Vinyl to prove to the ravers that they are leaders on today’s scene. Me and my mates arrived by car at the Sanctuary , just before 9.00 to find the usual car park closed, even thought it clearly said on the flyer, there would be ‘flood lit security patrolled car parking’. A big queue had already formed up outside with lots of excited ravers eagerly awaiting to get inside. But the weather was awful to be honest, it was wet, very cold and as time went on, slowly eroded the excitement away from the ravers. The doors finally opened up 25 minutes late, which meant a lot of people were left suffering in the cold even longer then they had to. Everyone knew opening up a big event like this as late as 10.00, was going to lead to a massive influx of people at the start of the night. They really should have opened up the venue earlier, so everyone could get inside in a reasonable time. After a fairly swift search by the security, I finally ventured inside. I thought security on the night were generally alright. Definitely no where as bad or as moody as I’ve experienced them in the past, which was better to see. By now it was 11.00 and first stop for me was the Sanctuary to catch some hardcore and also somewhere for me to defrost !! The main stage was facing the balcony and there was also a raised platform at the back of the dancefloor, for ravers to clamber up on and show their moves. The production I thought was good in the arena. Good banging clear sound system and a high quality light + lazer show to match. DNA was at the front on the decks and once again played a top set. Obviously showcasing loads of his new tunes, got the dancefloor jumping and the whole arena into swing of things. Next up was Sarge playing a hard house / Nu Nrg set. The hard house he was playing was banging and tough. Some ravers did walk off the dancefloor when it came on, but a lot of people just carried on dancing and seemed to be enjoying it. I finally managed to find one of the few DJ lineup times dotted around the place, to see who was playing where and when. I think the hardcore arena lineup could have been better planned though. The hard house / trance DJs were down to play one after the other, when it would have been better to have them more spaced out during the night. By now, the venue was rammed out. I suppose only a good sign for the scene and proves to all the doubters out there that the rave scene is still very much alive. Then I had hoped to catch a bit of drum n bass in the Rollers, but the queue to get in there was enormous. Perhaps too many people had been let in on the night because I’ve never experienced queues like that before to get into an arena. I just couldn’t be bothered to queue up again in the freezing cold, so I gave up on that idea. Once again, and not for the first time this year, the handling and general crowd organisation at a Slammin’ Vinyl event comes under question. So I decided to head off to the old skool room situated upstairs in the Sanctuary to see Vibes playing his birthday set. Started off well, playing some wicked 94/95 anthems like ‘4 Am’, but then he slowly drifted into a more cheesy direction. But as it was his birthday, I suppose he can be forgiven this time :) Dougal followed on next and played a reasonably good set. Playing a more happy classic selection with tunes like ‘Party Time’ and ‘Now is the time’ got the room jumping, and I mean really jumping as it seemed as though the whole floor was literally shaking !! The general atmosphere I thought could have been a lot better though. I thought there was definitely too much bad attitude about, particularly in the hardcore arena. When I first stepped on the dancefloor, I was astounded to see, how many people had beer cans in their hand……….not something I expect to see too much off at a big hardcore rave like this. The renowned pissed up troublemakers were there in full attendance, causing even more trouble and grief then usual. And what happened to these extra security stewards who were supposed to have been drafted in, to combat these troublemakers ??? If they were there, they obviously had no effect at all by the looks of things. Something needs to be done and fast, otherwise the troublemakers will just keep on coming back to the Sanctuary and getting away with anything they want. It was now 2.00 and time for Hixxy in the rammed out hardcore arena. At long last we finally got to hear some new material on his new Raver Baby label. I did like some of the tunes he played, reminds me of the style Hixxy used to play back in 1997. It was good to see him playing out some proper new banging stuff, as opposed to the slow trancey stuff, he was playing in 1999. Some tunes sounded a bit too cheesy at times, but generally I thought the new tunes were quite good and the crowd seemed to be going mad to them. MCs Storm + Whizzkid were at the front of the stage, keeping everyone more then hyped up and on their toes. At times, the whistles + horns crew was really deafening, nearly lifting off the Sanctuary roof. I then decided to chill for a bit outside, and I really do mean chill !!! There was a bungee jump, which I personally didn’t bother with. I was more then happy just to sit back and watch the people who did have the guts and stomach to have a go on it. There was certainly no shortage of nutters willing to have jump off either, looks like the bungee was a real hit with the ravers. Back in the hardcore arena, it was time for Sy who I thought played a reasonable set. He played his new Quosh stuff , which I must admit does sound a lot better when played out live, as opposed to just hearing it normally. He also played the usual predictable Sy anthems, such as ‘Kick it’ and ‘Discoland’, but the crowd seemed fairly satisfied with his performance. Then after that and at long last, the queues for the Rollers had finally died down, so I could catch my dose of drum n bass. I got to say the drum n bass arena was absolutely rocking. Top atmosphere, top sound + lighting and top music. Courtesy of Mampi Swift on the decks, supplying rolling bassline after rolling bassline. I only wish I could have been able to spend more time in there. It was now 5.00, and time for the last hour of the night, which had come around all too quickly. Some people were already leaving, but I wasn’t going to, as Scott Brown had just stepped up in the hardcore arena and definitely played the set of the night in my opinion. For the first half of the set, he played all his latest brand new Evolution tunes, which sounded good to me. But then for the last part of the set, he dropped some Nu Skool gabba, which I loved every minute off. It was hard, fast and got the whole place stomping. It was nice to hear some of the Dutch hardcore played down South for a change, as opposed to up North all the time. You could tell the ravers really enjoyed hearing something completely new and different and a made it a nice way to round of the night. Overall I thought it was a reasonably good night, but no way near as good as I was hoping for. The ridiculous queuing at the start put a lot of the ravers on a downer, and the general atmosphere, brought down by the troublemakers, should have been a lot better for a rave like this. I hope next time the Slammin’ Vinyl management address these issues effectively and efficiently and do that bit much more to give the ravers the best possible show they can. Big Shouts to: Kev, Peter, Andrew, Emma, ‘The Dapper Don’ Chedda, Happy Bounce, Ponder, Steve, Chrissy, Luke, Rooth, Time, Justin B, Bedford Caine, Alarm, Peachy, Billy Bass, Lloyd, Snow, ‘The Ladies Man’ Conrad, Beth, Adidas Matt, Twigg, Mupster, Tom U4EA, ‘The Original London Badboy’ Swaver, Potfish, Fussion, Acidnik, Mikey B, Jexxy, Miss Go Mental, Neil, Becki, Jon, ‘The Essex Assassin’ Luna VC, Scottie, Dimi, Alister, Ade, Stix, ‘The Good Northern Lad’ Icekold Pete, Egg Fried Rice, Simon Mdma, Hypnosis, Alieeeson, Gaz, Charlotte + James, DNA, Rich, Jo, Cakes, Charm, Dodgee, Snow, Chris da Rava, Katic, Stargazer, Nick@One Love, Mimic, XL, Tony@Resonance, Dave Mentalist, MC Storm..………..hugs to the girls, handshakes to the boys……..…seeya around soon :) Over and Out Slammin’ Sam
