What a night! Rarely is it that I am so moved to actually don my review-writing hat and spew forth creative words. In fact I think the last event that I reviewed was some hard trance event at the Fridge - some old-time ushers might remember my pilled up reviews of raves a couple of years ago- each time claiming this rave was the best ever ever ever. So here goes, see if I can remember how to do it... Karen and I got the 6:30 bus up to Amersham to catch the tube into London. We made our way to Tower Hill, then had to somehow follow some vague directions to meet Tony Res. Then we ambled towards London Bridge, and went to the Shipwright Arms for some wicked drinks. And wicked they were, mine was a coke, as was Karen's. A few chats with various people later, the pub decided to close at about 10:30, which was very inconsiderate, and I had planned to wait in there till 12:00 so we could meet Mark, Paul and James, but we just thought f**k it, and we went in anyway without them. I've just been instructed not to make this review very long, as Karen's sitting here dreading having to read this, as she's got quite a short concentration span at the moment... but then again many a time it has been when I have said I would keep reviews long, and they then ended up lasting pages and pages. Now where was I? Well....when we got inside, oh f**k it, I really can't be arsed with this. Best set: Uplift Sound System: bloody wicked - a vast vast improvement! Atmosphere: wicked too - but was a complete travesty that there weren't more people to experience a legend of raving return to its old form of being the very best there is! MCs: Storm & Whizzkid on top top top form yet again, some wicked new lyrics Whizzkid! And u are officially the scene's Nice Guy with over 40% of the votes, so well done mate hahaha. Venue: No other venue compares, it's the best! Other sets: Two's Company: a very very fast paced set to get everyone moving at the beginning... Energy: played some nice breakbeat bits, was quite fast too... Uplift: played probably the best set I've ever heard him play - top top notch, and finally the hardcore room was properly buzzing, top top set! Scott Brown: played a good set, not 100% keen on the gabber, but hey horses for courses innit... Me: I really enjoyed playing my set actually, lots of new tunes which I don't normally play, loads and loads of breakbeats...mmmmmm my idea of heaven! And to top it all off, the crème de la crème, la piece de resistance, the cherry on the cake...Button Moon!!! Sy: played a crowd-pleasing set, lots of current anthems, wicked scratching, Storm on the mic! Dice & Reality: didn't see much of this to be honest, but people seemed to be dancing, so must've been alright!! Crissy: plently of wicked 94/5 tunes, nice and slow, lots of breakbeats... very enjoyable! Kaos: unfortunately I missed most of Kaos' set due to having to flyer, but I heard he seemed to have a bit of trouble with the mixer or summat, which is a shame, but there were a fair few sticking it out to the very end no matter what! That's what Raindance is all about innit! (remembers a Vibes set at very end of Raindance NYE I think it was... Friends remix, Hey Jude remix, complete turd tunes, but the true Raindancers were there to the very end!) ummm... laser was wicked, not too hot, not too cold, old skool room was amazing all night... and drum n bass was actually enjoyable - mainly I think due to the fact that there wasn't an annoying mc verbally shitting all through the tunes, and I could actually enjoy the music for what it is. Jenkins Lane arch was wicked... plenty of wicked wicked old skool, loved it!! So all in all.... F**KING WICKED RAINDANCE!!!!!!! Big big thank you to Richard and his lovely girlfriend - I can't remember how to spell your name, and any attempt I make will come out all wrong, so I do apologise!! Massive shouts to Karen, James, Mark, Paul, Steve, Tony, Chrissy, Whizzkid, Storm, Sy, Nic onelove, Brit & Vik, ah s**t and to everyone, I can't be arsed. To all those who were absent... you missed one of the best raving experiences in a very very long time - shame on you all.
