This was Future Dance’s second birthday, 2 years of putting on wicked events and I definitely wanted to be part of the birthday celebration. I arrived at Bagleys just after 10.00 to find an average sized queue. The queue was moving at a reasonable pace and I was in about 30 minutes, not too bad at all. The search I had was fine, no genital groping, just a pat down and that was it. Security on the night seemed fine to me, they did have the presence around the venue, but nothing too overbearing and no way near as bad as they used to be, good to see indeed ! I dumped my jacket in the cloakroom, grabbed a drink from the bar and first went for a walkabout to check out the setting for the night. I did notice that Bagleys was looking slightly plusher from when I last went there last October. All the floors seemed to have been re-laid and the whole place had a new lick of paint, a slight but definite improvement all round. The first DJs I checked out in the hardcore arena were Robbie Long + Devestate who were playing a pretty banging set to get the crowd going and got the hardcore arena filled up. MC Marley was on the mic rocking the crowd, which was wicked to see again because I haven’t seen him MC for years. I did however notice the sound system in Arena 1 was lacking. It sounded distorted at times and as if the music was coming out of a tin can. This caused a bit of frustration for me and many other ravers, especially when all the sound systems in the others arenas were fine. The last time I heard a decent sound system in Arena 1 at Bagleys was about 2 years ago...needs sorting out ! The production and decor all round was good though, lots of drapings, banners, lighting....the usual FD touches were evident all round. Hixxy was next on in the hardcore room which by now was pretty busy and definitely busier then the last FD at Bagleys. Lots of Raverbaby and Jellybaby stuff got dropped, as well as tunes such as the new remix of 'Elysium' got a top reaction from the crowd. MC Whizzkid was on the mic, laying down some of his new lyrics, which sounded wicked and he seemed to be enjoying the night more then anyone. Just past 1.00 and I went down to the teckno room hosted by North. Just how techno should be….in a dark basement, minimal lighting and a phat soundsystem to boot. Producer was on the decks, and was a playing a banging set, real hard evil beats to get the crowd going. There was a small crowd down there, but everyone who was down there, was more then up for it :) I stayed on after for more calf damage punishment, to catch Dolphin’s set who was pretty good. He played a bit cheesy at times, even dropping in a gabba version of a Destiny’s Child song (lol !),but except for that another good banging set. The atmosphere on the night was excellent, all happy vibes around. That’s the best thing I like about Future Dance, you’re always guaranteed to get a good atmosphere, no idiots around to try and spoil the fun like you sometimes get at the Sanctuary. Next I then decided to check out the hard house room in Arena 2 which was hosted by Frantic and was pretty busy. Some nice grinding hard house being played and I certainly popped in there a fair few times in the night, just for something different. I even saw a fair few hard housers making their way to check out the hardcore arena during the night, which was good to see. Back in the hardcore arena it was time for Impact who I thought was good. Last time I heard Impact, he played really cheesy and I didn’t really like it. But this time it was a lot more banging and more serious tunes being played. Laying down lots of new tunes from the brand new FBI recordings, got a deserved good reaction from the crowd. Storm was on the mic keeping charge of the crowd and got everyone jumping as usual. It was around 4.00, so I ventured over to the old skool room to catch the sounds of Vibes. The one and only Livelee was on the mic busting out those legendary lyrics :) The first half of Vibes set was wicked, playing loads of classic 94/95 tunes such as the original ‘Higher love’ by JDS. Even his mixing seemed bang on form and a lot more polished then normal. It makes such a change to see Vibes putting in the full effort on the decks. Soon the last hour had sadly approached all too quickly, so I headed back to the hardcore room to see the traditional closing FD set from Kaos. The hardcore room was still fairly busy and everyone was still having it. Kaos laid down a blistering relentless paced set, playing tunes such as ‘Get f**ked and get more rocking’ and finishing off with ‘Bad Ass’ remix. As the night finished, everyone walked out into the cold Spring morning with satisfied looks on the faces from the night and everyone seemed to have had a wicked time. Overall it was a brilliant night, certainly the best night I’ve had at Bagleys for years. The venue seemed busier then the last FD at Bagleys, which was good to see and the atmosphere was brilliant as ever. Here’s to more birthdays for Future Dance, I’m sure they’ll be around for a long time to come. Big Shouts to: Paul, Kev, Peter, Chedda, Emma, Mark, Gaby, James, Charlie, Paul Ponder, Tom U4EA, James F, Steve Uplift, Chrissy, Han-E, Paulie + all his thugs, Aidan, Crazy Chris, Icekold Pete, Stix, Grob, Swaver the ladies man, Joe R, Loony, Denno, Paul Compulsion, Hattrix, Fanta-C, Astraboy, Jedi, Kryogen, Neil Kearns, Davespice, NY Geezer, Paul W, Denno, Nitr-8, Dan Saffire, Rizla Dizla, Tony Res, The magnificent Marshy, Androo, Alan, Minx, The ‘Pride of Eros’ Tombola, Neotech, Desire, Dusty Vixen, Matt Wildcard, Billybass, MC Buzz, Phick, Snow, Switchblade, Jensta, Carol, Icklemiss, T2, Delusion, Bedford Caine, Casper, Astraboy, Stormtrooper, Mikey B, Rich B, Lang-E, Part-E, Lee UHF, Martin Space, Misdee, Andy M, Beth, Potfish, Becki (cheer up darling !), Jonathan, Mike Sureal, Plantie, Padz, Allan Mcgrath, Velocity, Danger, Mupster, Anis, Invader, SD, Merlin, Burton, Rixta, Raz Power, Immz, Missus Sureal, Ashley Speight, Alarm, Banksy, Maxim, Mad Karen, Little Miss Nails, Shazi, Rushout, Vandall, Raveangel, Pir-8 + anyone else I’ve forgotten (apologies !).....bloody hell that’s 105 names I’ve had to remember from the top of my head !.....hugs to the girls, handshakes to the boys.....seeya soon :)
