We arrived at the complex at about 8, and the queue was already huge, but we waited patiently in the cold wet weather, until it got to half nine and we still weren’t in. It was that point i felt this would be a bad night.

Got into the Fastrack, just catching Breeze mid set. He seemed to be playing the usual Raverbaby stuff, which is all good IMO. Then it was off to the Old Skool Tent for the 1st Scott Brown set, playing loads of old tunes, but the best reaction from the crowd was when he dropped Discoland, my word, in my raving life, i have never heard a crowd get into a tune as much as this. You could hardly hear the vocals for the crowd singin. Big up Mr Brown. Brisk was playing in the Fastrack at the same time, but given the choice, i'd much rather go back in time and listen to some Cheese.

Next it was off back to the Fastrack, where Hixxy was just taking to the decks. I was waiting for the Raverbaby Kick to come flowing through the speakers, but NO, we got a wicked Old Hardcore set, with tracks including See me Climb, Steamtrain, Forever Together, Toytown and Space invader. Whizzkid was once again on the mic, proving once again why he has become one of the most popular MCs ever, the man oozes hype and can really get a crowd rocking. That for me made queuing up for as long as we did well worth it! The night was turnip out to be ok.

Up next it was the countdown, i was surprised to hear there were people still queuing up at this time, i felt so sorry for them to be missing all this. 5,4,3,2,1. HAPPY NEW YEAR screamed Storm down the mic, and the amount of noise in the arena was mind-blowing. Then Scott Brown dropped the first track of 2k4 - ELYSIUM. I thought that was rather fitting as it is a HUGE anthem and probably his biggest success to date, and the entire place went mental for it.

After a typically uplifting and Bouncy SB set, it was Dougals turn. Now, i know he started his set with Electric, which gets slated on here for being over-played, but i love this track, and i only heard it once all night. He then pursued into a good mixture of EP tracks, including Fall from the stars(tune!) and Ordinary people. Then came the hour of 2 o’clock, and the set i was looking forward to the most was about to begin - Force and Styles B2B playing a classic F+S set. Walked to the Old Skol tent with F+S, only to discover that the tent was shutting because of fear that the rain would get into the Electrics. Waited around for this to be confirmed. It was a no go. I was VERY pissed off with this, thats the main reason i went to Slammin. Walked back over to the Fastrack, where Kevin Energy was on the decks, playing some softer Freeform than he has been of late. At 2.30, we got word that the old Skool tent was re-opening, and Force was goin to do a set. YES! Got in the tent, Force took up behind the decks, playing classic after classic, incl Feelin Fine (orig), Eyeopener, Shootin Star. Was Wicked, though i had to miss Styles' set, which was a bit annoying, but its always good to hear classics.

Next in the Fastrack was Dice and Reality, the sound level had dropped dramatically by this point, in true Slammin vinyl style. i got annoyed queuing for ages to get a drink so i went for a walk around outside. Got chatting to some Ravin mates, by the time i got back into the Fastrack, TopGroove was on. I gotta say, i dont think mixing 140BPM music with 170BPM is working, it just takes the atmosphere down a few levels and kills the flow of the music.

So i went and sat down until Sy came on for the last hour, and was hoping he could cheer me up, but it was disappointing. I don’t about you lot, but I’m finding Sy’s sets a little repetitive lately. maybe its just cos by that point i was falling asleep. i was cold and wet and just fed up really. Then we left and headed home without any problems whatsoever.

It was a good night i thought, but it could have bee SO much better had they sorted the queues out, and prepared the Old Skool tent and Chill out room in case it did rain. And the Security were well behaved last night as well, though i did see a few fights outside, there were no major problems. But there was a little more variety than every other Slammin, which is what this scene needs IMO!

Shouts - Styles+Force for making my night, John+ Nicki (nice to meet you 2 and good luck with the wedding John) Whizzkid for forgiving me, Scott Brown,Luna, Gazza - You know da score fella, Stoned for not bein able to find me, Rude for his kind words about his website ( your very welcome geezer) Mr Rush,BigJohn(Renegade crew) Everyone who knew my name even though i didn’t know theirs the bloke who was tripping out trying to eat my arm - thanx mate. Chris,Colin,Scully,Wayne,Kenny and Clare(my Chelmsford crew) and every other person that attended. BIG UP!

- C-Kay (colinknapp@blueyonder.co.uk)