Raindance have definitely been the best and most consistent promoters this year, so I was eagerly waiting for their NYE event to come around. I arrived at the Drome just before 9.00pm, to find a long queue had already winded itself down the adjoining tunnel. But security were doing very quick searches on people, so everyone got inside in the venue in reasonable time, which was good to see.

I took a quick glance at the DJ times dotted around the venue and first stop for me was the old skool arena. The arena was looking wicked as ever, with the trademark lazer show at the front with a nice crisp loud sound system to match. Jedi + Stormtrooper were on the decks laying down some quality old skool tunes and got the arena more then warmed up for the night ahead. I then decided to venture over to the hardcore arch, which was rapidly filling up. The production in the hardcore arch was of a high standard. The DJs were situated on a raised platform at the front, with the MC positioned on a stage in front of them. The lighting was also good, with a nice green lazer at the front to tantalise everyone and the sound system was loud, perhaps lack clarity at times, but nobody seemed too bothered by it. Ponder + Happy Bounce were on the decks and played a wicked set. Playing their usual breakbeat influenced selection, with tunes like ‘About you’ by DNA + Ham and also a few experimental tunes such as ‘Clusters revenge’, as well as their own brand new production, which was just finished the previous day. Just past 11.00, so I decided to head back over to the old skool arch to catch the sounds of Squirrel. By now, the old skool arch was in full swing and the vibe in there was just amazing, proper unity. Squirrel laid down his usual predictable, but good selection, dropping tunes likes ‘Way in my brain’ by SL2 and ‘Bombscare’ by 2 bad mice.

It was nearly 12.00 so I rushed back over to the hardcore arch to see in the New Year there. By now the hardcore arena was absolutely rammed and everyone was getting very excited. MC Whizzkid was on the mic, doing the final countdown. When 12.00 finally came round, a big confetti bomb exploded above everyone’s heads and everyone just went completely mental on the dancefloor and started hugging everyone around them. DJ Storm played ‘Toytown’ remix as the midnight tune. I must admit, not the sort of tune I was expecting, but me and everybody else still went completely mad to it. The awaiting Energy took over from that and immediately slapped on ‘Now Control’ by Helix, to get everyone going even more mad on the dancefloor. He then dropped loads of new dubplates in his set, as well as more well known tracks such as ‘Product of society’ and ‘Sound Assassin’. Definitely the set of the night in my opinion, a nice proper banging to start of the year.

The general atmosphere on the night was top quality and definitely the best aspect of the night in my opinion. Everyone I met was very friendly and was on the same happy smiley level. Raindance certainly know how to attract the proper raving crowd. As DNA failed to show, Uplift took over command and played a fine set. Dropping a mainly upfront selection with tunes such as ‘Dreamfinder’ remix and his own ‘24 hours in Aldershot’, kept the momentum up on the dancefloor. UFO followed on next, making his debut to Raindance and played an interesting experimental set. He showcased a wide variety of different dance music genres. As well as playing lots of hardcore such as his brand new remix of ‘Flyin high’, he also played some hard trance, a sprinkling of hard house / NRG and he even dropped in the drum n bass classic ‘The Chopper’, which promptly got calls for a rewind from the crowd. A nice diverse set and respect to him for sticking his neck out. The crowd seemed to enjoy the variety too, as the dancefloor was busy at the start of his set and was still busy by the time he finished.

The temperature inside the venue was now reaching boiling point. It would have been nicer if they opened up a few more of the fire exits to let some fresh air in because the dancefloor got really hot at times. But the venue overall, was packed but nicely packed, unlike the last event there. There was enough space for everyone to comfortably dance and to move around the venue freely. I hope they keep the capacity to this level for all future events there. Uplift stepped up again onto the decks, this time playing a 1995 anthems set. Another high standard selection by him, dropping classics like ‘95 style’ and ‘Sensation’ remix by Vibes + Wishdokta, got the deserved appreciation from the packed dancefloor. It was now 4.00 and time for Cris.E.Manic playing a banging upfront selection. It was a good set by her, dropping a few of the new Robbie Long + Coyote dubplates such as ‘Trauma’ as well as her own tune ‘Poached + Scrambled’.

I then decided to relax in the big chill out arch with its nice heavenly carpeted floor to crash out on :) There were various DJs in there during the night, such as Ardee, Breaka and U4EA, playing some quality sets, all showcasing different styles to the chilling out crew. Just past 6.00 and Breeze had just stepped up in the hardcore arch. A decent set by him, started off really well played a nice banging selection including lots of new dubplates. But in the last part of the set, he opted to play more of the crowd pleasing tunes such as ‘Eye Opener’ and ‘Set me free’, which sort of took the set down for me, but overall it was still a good set.

I then decided to wander over to the drum n bass room, for the first time in the night. Ellis Dee was on the decks and played a wicked rolling selection. I wish I had spent more time in there because some of the music in there sounded quality. By now, the venue and the respective dancefloors were about half full. I was expecting more people to stay on until the end, but obviously a lot of people had danced enough for the night and were crying out for their beds !! It was now 8.00 and time for the last hour. Vibes was on in the hardcore room along with his trademark cheesy collection of vinyl. He played tunes like ‘Forever autumn’ remix and other rip offs. There was a pretty sparse crowd left in there at the end, with all the usual suspects lapping up the cheese :)

Overall it was a brilliant night, one of the best NYEs I’ve experienced. Everyone I spoke to had a wicked time and really enjoyed it as well. I thought the best aspect of the night was the atmosphere and the vibe that really makes Raindance the wicked rave that it is. Here’s to another year of hardcore raving !!

Big Shouts to: Kev, Peter, Andrew, Emma, Jo, ‘The true English gentleman’ Conrad, Tom U4EA, ‘The Yorkshire Ripper’ Ardee, Welsh Matt, Rich-E, Charlotte + James, Billy Bass, Misdee, Phick, Potfish, The big HB, Ponder, Steve, Chrissy, Luke, DOK, Velocity, Acidnik, Swaver, Icekold Pete, Jexxy, Simon Mdma, Miss Go Mental, Kat, Stix, Mupster, Lloyd, Luna VC, Tony Resonance, SD, ‘The Female’s favourite’ Paulie, Justin B, Beford Caine, Bedroom Raver, Denno, The one like Dave, Mikey B, Ade, Vicky, Breaka, Random Cousin, D-Jam, Lockey, Rob Learner, Matt Clarke, Double Dipper……..hugs to the girls, handshakes to the boys……..hope you all had a good one !!!

Over and Out

Slammin’ Sam

- Slammin' Sam (sammy.sam@talk21.com)