Yeah, was a wicked night and the second night I'd done in a row just on water (no caffeine/chemicals/alcohol), which for anyone who knows me normally is quite an achievement. I got in at about 11.30pm as I had to wait around to get in on the guestlist. I got in and Hixxy was on the decks with MC Wotsee playing from what I can remember, some quite dark tunes, this got me in the stomping mood straight away. Whizzkid soon stepped up to the stage and added what WK does to a rave, got the crowd singing along to his rhymes and stuff, and so he did the rest of the set for Hixxy. Next up at midnight were Sy & Unknown who played a wicked selection of bouncy stuff with scratching like only they do best. I stayed for the whole of this set as the bouncy stuff is by far my favourite kinda hardcore at the moment, and I loved every minute of it!! Whizzkid stayed on the mic for Sy & Unknown (I think Odyssey may have had a rip over them too as he accompanied Super Gords for the night and added his styles to what was already a wicked line-up of MCs). Dougal came on next and I decided to rest my legs for the first half, I found that not doing drugs, you actually feel the physical pain straight away, rather than a few days later. I think Wotsee MC'd for Dougal but I'm not 100% sure. Did catch the end of the set though and it seemed quite good. Next up were Robbie Long & Devastate, now as I'd seen Robbie Long at Elation the night before, I thought they may play a breakbeat orientated set, which don't get me wrong, is good, but I'm not as big a fan of it as I am of the 4 beat stuff. I was proved wrong, they played a wicked variety of upfront, freeform and just generally dark stomping hardcore, which I heard quite a lot of. Topped off with scratching too it really was one of the sets of the night, respect to the both of them. It had been quite a while since I'd seen these two play together and it reminded me of how good they really are. The advantage also being that I can remember the set!!! (I can't ever remember a set if I've been on something). Then the 3.00 set was scheduled to be Scott Brown who unfortunately couldn't make it but was replaced by either Reality or him and D'Ice, I know D'Ice was up there at the start of the set but dunno if he played, I think it could have just been Reality. I was quite knackered physically during this set, my stomach and legs were aching a bit and I needed a rest, so unfortunately couldn't hear much of it. Again though, what I did hear was good. Storm appeared near the start of the set and does what Storm does best (I don't think it needs explaining), and so that slightly compensated for the loss of Mr. Brown. Next up was the set I'd been waiting for all night, Marc Smith, but as it was my second night, and I hadn't touched anything. I was sat in the chillout for the first 5 minutes, uneasing my stomach pains. I realised how stupid I was being and soon proceeded to the dancefloor to stomp to who I consider as one of the best producers in the scene. I just love Marc Smith's kickdrums, they're absolutely beautiful (some may argue they're fitter than downies). But he played a wicked set that I threw myself all over the place to, with Storm on the mic adding that extra energy. You don't need drugs for stuff like this, it was just generally absolutely amazing. The last set was Kickback, now as I’m not much of a Bristol raver normally (it was only my 4th time in Bristol), I hadn't heard much about this guy before so didn't know what to expect. The first half I didn't recognise the tunes much, and I was sat in the chillout talking to people, keeping an ear-out for what was playing. I felt really exhausted by now until I heard him drop ‘Night-Time’ on Quosh. I turned and said "There's no way I'm not dancin to this", and went in the arena and stomped till the end. The second half of Kickback's set was wicked, as he played recent anthems like ‘Heartbeatz’, ‘24-7’ and ‘I became Hardcore’. This was a fantastic way to finish the night and I'm glad too as it got me dancing again for the last 30 minutes or so. An all in all good night, and one I can remember too, which is a bonus. I'm gonna do raves water powered again in future!!! . One thing that let the night down though was the attitude inside the place. I personally never experienced any attitude against me but when I was in the chillout, it seemed like security were dragging people out every 15-20 minutes or something stupid. I don't see why people go to raves just to cause trouble, what is it in their thick little skulls that makes it seem like fighting or giving people shit is a good idea ?! But that's nothing down to the promoters, and a factor that can't be helped. I never checked the new talent arena out as i only found out where it was at about 5.00. I checked the Techno arena out a couple of times, but that was when my stomach was already hurting so couldn't go for it as I normally would if I'd have had some mind altering substances, altho I heard good things about some of the sets. I think I personally would have at least needed alcohol to stomp to this for a while, if just to numb the pain a bit!! Shouts to: Hiney for the hospitality before and after the event, shouts to Mellor and Kaliber of Lichfield fame for accompanying me, Mel and Quinn down from the Grove. Shouts also going to Bag and Gurning Girlie, Wilf, Super Gordie Whizzkid for the guestie , Odyssey, Wotsee, Storm and Sarah, Deejaybee, Hiney's mate jason, Shaker, Sketchy, Compulsion, Abbey (soz i never actually got to speak to ya if I seemed ignorant) and anyone else I'd forgot.
