Raindance is a party with a difference. Most events play it safe, booking only the biggest DJs and MCs for a guaranteed turnout. Raindance only selects a handful from the topflight, choosing to fill the rest of the night with the best of the lesser known talent. The Savvy needed to spot this major talent and push it to the forefront at a major event is what Raindance is all about. It is also the reason why I have not missed a Raindance since its return to London last November. The previous couple of parties have been a little underwhelming due to poor attendance, however, the flier for their 14th birthday party, together with a lineup that was faithful to their booking policy, promised a great night out. The 7am licence extension was not going to hurt either. It all saw me and more than a few hundred people gather outside the SEone's main entrance at a little before 10pm on the night. I always seem to find myself amongst the first in at Raindance , but this time I was there for a reason. After about a 20 minute wait, which included a friendly visit from the Clockwork Guardsman, the queue started moving forward. After handing over my ticket and receiving a fairly thorough search, I was in. I knew my way round the SEone already, so I made a beeline for the hardcore arena. As I entered, Twos company were doing a grand Job of warming up the party. In a departure from their previous sets, the laydees were playing a cracker of a hardcore breakbeat set. Every time they rummaged in that record bag, out came another blinding tune, most notably the awesome "Summer heat". MC Spenno was doing just as good a job on the mic, keeping it real for his first, well deserved, Randance booking. Spenno was entertaining the crowd, but also letting the music do the talking when needs be. Nice one mate. During their set, I noticed the production in the arena had also received a birthday present. The usual beefy lighting rig had been further enhanced by not one but two lasers. Another difference was the lights illuminating the glitter mobile. Someone had come up with the idea of shining a UV cannon at it, making the whole thing glow vivid purple. As well as the nice bubble machines and strobes, it was obvious that Raindance had made the effort on this one. If that weren’t enough, another addition to the SEone was the luxury of a carpeted floor! Following in the steps of recent Sanctuary raves, the carpet was very much appreciated by old gits like me who want to stomp but need to look after their joints (thats the ones in my knees and ankles btw! :) By the time 2C had finished and Ponder and HB took over, the venue was filling up nicely. The main men from Elation made sure the party people were kept entertained by dropping a blinder of a set. The boys mixed their own tunes into stuff from other labels. Crowd pleasers such as "Wicked MC" and the cracking "John Peel is not enough" definitely flipped my switch. MC Elmo was on form throughout the set too. After that it was the main set of the night for me. Two Hardcore Heaven Award winners on at once was always going to produce results. Especially when its Sy and Storm. The only problem I have with these two standing shoulder to shoulder is that they are so consistent with their amazing performances that I'm running out of superlatives to describe them. If that isn’t bad enough, I cant remember a single tune they played. Not that it matters though. All you need to know is Sy and Storm were inside the rave. On that basis, if you weren’t there, then you have my sympathy. At the end of their set I noticed that the rave had really filled up. Compared with their recent events, it was positively rammed. It was like the old Raindances back in the day when you had to push past people to get where you're going. The only side effect of so many people in the venue was another aspect of The Drome to return, the heat. For some reason the hardcore room was the only one to suffer with this problem. The Oldskool room was ok and I was freezing when I went into the DnB room. The stifling heat in the hardcore room may have been down to a technical hitch but it didn’t matter, it brought back too many bad memories of the partys at the drome and I didnt like it one bit. If nothing else it made the crowd wilt as the evening wore on. Even though I was roasting hot, Seduction, the next DJ up made sure I didnt take a break just yet by putting in another set which had me dancing all the way through. Despite me being wary of his return to the scene, Sedders has been proving me wrong in the the best possible way, playing tunes that I like. Tonight was no exception. Amongst other tunes that escape me, he dropped "I became hardcore", the remix of Opus III's "Its a fine day" and the ever popular "hold me tonight". Anyone who plays those tunes gets my respect. After Seduction had finished and left me even more tired, I thought I might be able to get some rest. Then Luna C came on. Ah well, another hour wouldn’t hurt would it? 14 days previously, I was seriously impressed by this man and I didn’t think I was going to be disappointed this time either. I like Luna-Cs tune selection. Something about the way you never know what he's gonna drop next appeals to me. Plus his penchant for old skool and upfront breakbeat is refreshing in the 2003 kick driven rave scene. Luna C played the classic "Let yourself go", the equally classic "Out of space" by the prodigy which got me VERY excited, and the highly entertaining hardcore rip of "Jonny Be Goode". As well as that, he also dropped some Drum & Bass tunes. One or two people have expressed doubts about DnB invading the hardcore arena, but I prefer to think of it as a rare opportunity to stomp to DnB with out some Burberry clad wannabe Gangsta trying to "dark me up". On that tip alone, its a worthwhile exercise. The only thing to let this excellent set down was another patented Raindance gremlin, the sound. At the start of the evening it was top notch. As the event progressed it got worse and worse. By the time Luna C came on it was back to its usual trick of loads of Bass and little else. It that werent bad enough the mic was way way too loud and everytime the MC spoke it clipped the top end of the sound off. It was a shame as the exact same MC 14 days ago complimented the music nicely. With too much volume he was was dominating the music which IMO was a bad thing. Doubly bad as it werent his fault. Great set, pity I never got to hear it. At 3am Uplift took over. He was meant to be joined by Little Miss Manic, but due to ill health she could not be there. Recent sets that this man has done have been very enjoyable with diverse sets comprising of his label, Raw Elements as well as tunes from other labels and even the odd breakbeat. Uplift was joined by MC Wildcard. Matt was not booked for the night, but he blagged the mic and put in as good a performance as any MC that was on the flyer. Tunes like "I'm in Euphoria" and CLSM's Liberation made the set even more enjoyable. At this point the night became a bit of a blur. I can only remember snippets from this point as I was sat down drinking lemonade trying to get more energy to dance. I do remember Lukozade playing "chemical Love" and energy doing his level best to kill us by taking it harder and faster than any other DJ on the night. One tune Kev Energy dropped really stuck in my head. He played it about 45 minutes into his set and it had this relentless kickdrum that went on and on and never let up. Haven’t got a clue what this tune is called, but it managed to get me up off my arse and onto the dancefloor so it had to be good. Another good thing about this set was the sight of Whizzkid and Wotsee going back to back on the mic. Never seen this before but I was impressed. Its a rare thing for two MCs to go back to back but not make the music suffer but these two managed it. More please. At 6am only the true hardcore were left. Most had slacked off but I was determined to stay as Billy Bunter was due to finish off the night with an ever popular classic set. Never doubt the ability of a happy hardcore set to keep the crowd bouncing till the end of the night. Bunter did a great job too, I totally forgot how tired I was and stomped my guts out right till the last tune. He played Toytown and Love of my life etc etc etc,cheesy as hell but I enjoyed it. Whizzkid was on it as well, never flaggin once and keeping the party hyped till the last tune. The best bit was right at the end. Bunter had finished but was arguing with someone backstage. I didnt know what was up, but the penny dropped when bunter made his feelings known through dismissive hand gestures and stuck yet another tune on the decks. Trying to shut your party down early? Dont stick Bunter on last Things I liked: Top atmosphere, only saw one bit of trouble all night and security were quickly on the case, Security were safe in general TBH. didnt really notice them all night, DJ lineup. All that for 18.00? Bargain mate, 7am licence, even if it killed me the morning after, Carpet! "Can someone play a tune I don’t like so I can have a rest please?" Things I liked less: The heat, Too many bd memories with that one. The sound AGAIN. If it is that difficult to sort that arena outmight it be worthwhile to use the chillout as the hardcore arena and convert the hardcore arena to the cloakroom? Its getting beyond a joke now, esp with every other arena running perfect every time. Despite all the problems with this rave, one thing made it all worth it. The music. I wanted to do so much. Nebula 2, the 93 jungle set, the breakbeat arena. it all went out the window cos I couldn’t leave the hardcore arena. Upfront, Oldskool, fourbeat, breakbeat, freeform, happy, it was all represented. On this basis alone, coupled with a strong attendance, Raindance have truly returned. I really enjoyed it. I cant wait for the next one. Shouts to: Grob, lisa, Paul Zykotic, the Bad boy Doc-E and his missus, Alan_m, Moron, Sorcerer, Tenz, MC Jutt, HB, Ponder, Wildcard, Spenno, Stoned, MC Kans, Kazzer and his mates, Uplift, Tansy, Bedford Caine, Barticle, Deddley, Sam, Storm, Whizzkid, Luna-C, Kev Energy, Wottsee and all the others I missed out.
