Myself and friends: Andy, Steve, Smithy and my bird Sarah set off from Farnborough about 3 on the train. At this point we were all buzzing and looking forward to the night ahead. After getting to Milton Keynes for about 6, we made our way to the Sanctuary to hear hard dance banging out of the big top. Once getting in about ten to 7 we heard the last remaining part of Rat Pack's set, was a bit gutted that they were on really early, looking forward to seeing them, but oh well on with the party. Next up came Andy Farley, who in my opinion shouldn't have been on the bill, for a start they play hard dance and people from Slammin' seem to think hard dance goes with hardcore, but I don't. For one it's too slow, it's boring, very repetative and nothing exciting happens in it. Come 8'o'clock we were expecting Hixxy, but due to a near head on car crash couldn't make it. One thing I didn't like about the event was that there was too much drum and bass, it just dominated the party and with the moody atmosphere from the dnb crowd, it wasn't as good as some other Slammin' parties at the Sanctuary. My best bits about the night was seeing Dice and Reality in the Sanctuary, Sy in the tent and Seduction in the Sanctuary for the last ever hardcore set to take place in the Sanctuary. Apart from that I really didn't enjoy the party, neither did my friends. I've been going to the Sanctuary since '97 and this was one of the worst ones I've been to. Production - well the fastrack was crap, one lazer in the corner, the one out of the tent was installed later on but it kept cutting out. The techno room there was absolutely nothing just a pair of decks, the Sanctuary set up was nice, good stage lighting, 3 yes that's 3 lazers, big digital screens, all in all better than the fastrack, why must the hardcore crowd suffer, for a start the arena was too small as well, shame they couldn't have opened the entire rollers cause that is a big arena, which by the way production was good in there , loud sound, the entire arena drapped, with two lazers directly abouve the DJ , I loved this arena. The one and only vibes, who was on the flyer but not on the time card played a blinding set. The big top was good as well, it seems they put a lot of effort in the old skool, Sanctuary and tent but not the hardcore or the techno, I must admit I'm going to agree with Astroboy, Slammin' is shoddy, I used to love their events, but this has put me off big style. Come on Slammin' sort it out, I went to your first event at the Rhythm Station in Aldershot, I think it was october 94', and have supported you ever since, but don't forget hardcore kept you going all them years, don't forget your roots cause when you started your line up was 99% hardcore. I tell you one event I am looking forward to is HELTER SKELTER in September. Hardcore arena hosted by HARDCORE TILL I DIE, I spoke to Hixxy on Saturday and he said it's an amazing venue with a 2000 capcity hardcore arena and free fun fair. One more message to Slammin' if you're going to charge people 30 quid a ticket atleast make it worth their while , don't forget the hardcore crowd, not everyone is a bass head. Shouts to MC Storm, Hixxy, Sy, Andy J, Sarah Stevie c, Smithy and everyone who supports hardcore. Peace out
