The next Elation instalment moved onto Electroworkz in Angel for a night of hardcore and hard dance madness. Electroworkz is a very underground venue, in fact from the outside it looks more like a warehouse....perfect underground surroundings for an event like this. I arrived there just after 10.15 to find a small door on the side, to which I could hear banging beats emanating from, so I guess I found the right place. The ravers had to be careful because the club had been split into two for the night, so if anyone took the wrong entrance, they would have ended up at a gothic punk night !! No search by the security, or for anyone for that matter, so I just paid my money and walked straight in. First room you came into was the small chillout room, but through the doors on the left lead you straight into the main room. The main room was quite small, but had a nice intimate feel to it. As soon as you walked in, the DJ booth was at the front and there were stages at the side for people to dance on and overall I’d say the club held about 250 people. The production around was good and you clearly see an effort had been made by the promoters. UV backdrops scattered about, loud sound system, good lights and big green lazer protruding at the front, made it look quite impressive. First DJ on the decks was James F, laying down some hard trance. Good dirty stuff and some banging tunes to get the dancefloor warmed up for the night. Tom U4EA stepped up next and played a lot of old classics such as ‘6 days’, ‘Euphoria’ and even dropped in the classic drum n bass remix of ‘Ready or not’ by the Fugees, which down well and got everyone brocking. A wicked set to really the crowd going, in fact by now the dancefloor was well having it. Yorkshire’s finest, Majestik was next on the decks laying down a banging freeform selection. I’ve seen Majestik play a few times before and always been impressed. Tonight was no exception, dropping tunes such as ‘Rez out’ and some of his new tunes coming out on the new Higher Order records such as ‘Eve of the war’ as well as slipping in the seminal ‘Body Slam’ on GBT. Atmosphere on the night was brilliant as it always is. True wicked vibe between the ravers, as it should be. I think sometimes the big events lack the togetherness vibe like it was in the old days, but its still evident at the small events happening. Just past 1.00 and time for Robbie Long who played a good set, starting of with his trademark Robbie Long intro sample. Played lot of new Blatent Beats / Next Generation tunes alongside some impressive scratching, which went down well with the crowd. Ponder followed on next laying down a mixture of styles, bit of hard trance and hardcore mixed in together. ‘About you’ by DNA + Ham got dropped and was a good set overall, nice bit of variety. Speaking of Ham, he was next on the wheels of steel playing a classic 94/95 set. All the usual anthems came out for this, such as ‘Ravers choice 1’, ‘SMD 4’, ‘Most uplifting’. Got a wicked reaction from the ravers showing the crowd never seem to tire of hearing the old classics again. By now I needed to take a break, so headed off to chillout room at the back. Had a waffle with loads of the regular Elation ravers and loads of people I hadn’t seen in ages. If anything, too many people were spending too much time in the chillout room, because the dancefloor did seem to thin out a bit halfway through the night. Attendance wise, a few more through the door would have been nice though. The venue was in the main pretty busy, but I don’t think the promoters got enough in to break even, which is a shame, hopefully next time. Back in the main room it was time for HB, who I thought played the set of the night (koff, koff). Laying down lots of new material from the soon to be released Elation recordings such as ‘Clockwork bible’ by Dok and ‘Faces of Angels’. Good dark gritty hardcore which sounded refreshing to hear and went down well with the ravers. I hope I get to hear some of this stuff getting played at big events soon. It was now 5.00 and time for the last set of the night and time for the Hixxy to close out proceedings. MCs Elmo + Casper were at the front getting the crowd hyped up until the finish. Hixxy played a pretty good set, dropping lots of new Raverbaby and Jellybaby material, which kept the crowd happy until the end. Overall it was a wicked night and I really enjoyed it. It was my first rave since NYE and coming back to this made me realise how good it was to back into raving. I think Electroworkz is a wicked venue, got that vibe to it which creates a wicked intimate atmosphere. The promoters did everything right on the night with production, effort etc, so I hope next time enough people will come to make the place rammed. Respect to Mark, Paul, Tom and James for a top night again. Big Shouts to: Paul, Kev, Chedda and his smart trousers, Gaby, Charlie, James, Rizzla Dizzla, Phick / Elevate, Carol, Billybass, Majestik, Riddler, Conrad, Icekold Pete, Icklemiss, Ponder, Tony Res, Ravegirl, Smile-E, Alan, I-Wolf + his beard, Snow, Steve, Chrissy, Dusty Vixen, Jensta, T2, Endurance, Paulie + his thugs, Dave Spice, Mayhem, Myring, Bedford Caine, Casper, Grob le Frog, Astraboy, Stormtrooper, Mikey B, Endurance, Wildcard the pisshead, Elmo, Hattrix, Dan Desire, Kaya, Madman, Dok + anyone else I’ve forgotten.....hugs to the girls, handshakes to the boys....seeya soon :) Over and Out
