Even though the night itself has been on the circuit for a long time, I have only recently become a convert to the Fruit Club's regular events at the Brunel Rooms. Its a pity I didnt notice them before. The combination of the venue being only 1 hour away by car (more if I toe it;)), plush surroundings and diverse yet attention grabbing lineup made a return inevitable after my first visit. This event, subtitled "Hardcore Eruption" of promised more of the same with three arenas, Hardcore in the main arena, with Old skool downstairs and the Jellybeanz crew in the Shed Bar. As with previous events, the lineup was a sublime mix of underbooked talent and established crowd pullers. Keeping everyone happy is something Fruit Club seems to be good at, with Hixxy, Scott Brown, Breeze, Seduction and the almighty Sy amply covering all the bases within the mainstream. As well as that, the people that you dont see week in week out, but definitely dont mind seeing were all on the flyer like they should be, namely Marc Smith, Dodgee, Flyin, Dice and Reality going b2b, and best of all, a welcome set from Luna-C. The MC Lineup was less diverse, but no less great. This was one area where there was no messing about at all. Only the biggest and best need apply and as such Storm, Whizzkid, Rude and Odyssey were all due to work the mic in their own inimitable style. I hadn't really considered the second and third arenas, but I was going there for the Hardcore. However if I wanted a break I knew where to get one, plus top tunage as well. Making the trip down there was not a chore in the slightest. Swindon is one of the places where it seems really far away, but is a lot closer than some other venues I have no problem going to. Less than an hour after leaving my place I was parking up and making my way to the venue. Soon after arriving I was making my way back to the car. Hooded tops were not welcome on this night and I had to leave it in the car in order to gain entry. As well as that I was subjected to one of the most thorough searches I have ever had. It werent pants off and gloves on or anything, but not far off. Absoloutely everything out of the pockets and no part of me left un rubbed down. Must have left my "Osama is my homeboy" hat on by accident and not realised. However this was all a distant memory when I got into the club itself. An large open plan venue, The Brunel Room's main arena was where I was going to be spending most of the evening and the way it had been decorated, I knew I was in the right place the moment I entered the area. Fruit club is big on decor and this party was no exception. How many other raves you been to where there is a 7 foot tall fluroescent fish on the main stage? As well as that, the addition of lots of branding (particularly behind the DJ Stand) and the ever present preponderance of dayglo flowers and creepers, together with the unusual addition of Large banners suspended in the middle of the dancefloor made for a venue which was transformed for the evening. However what I was really there for was the music. I had arrived a little late and as such had missed a few of the initial DJ's sets (Sorry lads), however the first DJ I really got into was more than up for getting my evening off to a perfect start. Residents of the rave Seduction and Rude were on the decks and the mic and were making the assembled party crew dance like a good 'un, despite the early hour. I joined in towards the end, with Sedders busting out "lets Fly"and "This is Extreme" in the closing moments of his set. Right at the end was one final surprise, with the announcement being made of a certain MC rude recently passing his driving test! Only 7 attempts as well (allegedly anyways;)) For the next hour, I fancied something a little different. It saw me leaving the main room and going to the shed bar. I had all night to see the big names tear the place apart, I wanted something different from a DJ I had never seen before and Dez was in the right place at the right time. When I got down there, Dez was already well into his set. Not playing Hardcore, but a Hard trance set which made a nice change, especially for this time of the evening. As it turns out, it was more of a crossover between hard trance and a little bit of techno, but I was enjoying it, especially as its the first set from Dex that I've properly had a listen to. Throughtout his set, Dez kept it minimal and with no MC to interupt him, quickly worked his way through the hour, dropping some top tunes like "No more fukin rock and roll", "Finished Symphony and "DFC" as well as taking time to hype the assembled crowd by screaming out "Lick my ass!" at regular intervals. Dez was still going strong when I left the shed bar. I wanted to stay, but I also wanted to see the next set in the main room and as the DJs were equally as underbooked as Dezmond, I was not going to miss it for nowt. When I made it back into the main arena, Marc Smith and Dodgee were well into their b2b set, working up the crowd as only they know how. I had seen previous sets from Marc and gone away impressed, but Dodgee was a different matter. I cant remember the last time I saw him play out and as such, was interested to see what he could come up with. Together with Odyssey, the two DJs made the most of their prime time set, going for it hard and fast, as well as a distinct leaning towards the Freeform sound. Esily taking the title of "best tune selection" for the rave by dropping "Hardcore Machine", "Adagio", "Pig" which then faded into a rip of the theme from 2001, then continuing with "If you here to dance what the fuck did you come for" Odyssey seemed to be a big fan of this one, hitting the crowd with his "Chemical to the brain" lyric whist it was playing. Next up was a DJ that most of the crowd had come to see. This was evident by the way the dancefloor filled up when Hixxy and Whizzkid stepped up to play and MC for the next hour. The change of pace was a real jolt after the relentless speed of the previous DJ's efforts, but the crowd didnt seem to mind, neither did I once Hixxy got to work. Keeping it upfront and uplifting, Hixxy played a set fiilled with crowdpleasers, including "Makin me wanna dance", "Silde away", "Just accept it", "The theme" and "Just be happy" in his hour, as well as breaking it up by sliding in the VERY Dancable "This is how we do it". Finally, Hixxy finished off his highly enjoyable set with a tune which saw the maximum input from the MC in the form of "End of time" before departing with the upfront remix of "Fly away". Next up was yet another Dj I had made the journey to see. For the first time at Fruit Club, Luna-C took his place behind the decks and then did what he does best, expand the minds of the assembled masses. Luna-C's sets are an aquired taste, especially as you dont know what you're in for. If you're expecting an endless succession of 4x4 upfront Hardcore then think again. However if you want a set which has you thinking "whats he gonna play now the?" when the next tune comes in then you're in for a treat. I know I was. Odyssey was once again proving he can MC for however long he wants by taking the stage again. Luna-C then set about messing with heads by playing EVERYTHING. He convered all the bases by inserting "Out of Space", "Now is the time", "Here's johnny", "This is Extreme", "Heart of Gold" and best of all Panacea's DnB tune which always gets me dancing, "lawless". Whilst most DJ are content to just play records, Luna-C goes one step further by adding lots of messed up vocals. Dont ask me what they were, but I can remember laughing out loud on several occasions. As well as that, seriously weird tunes are another trademark of any good Luna-C set. Once again, I werent expecting it, but when a remix of "Help!" by the Beatles came on, I knew I was in the right place. to finish off, Luna-C kept it classic and euphoric, closing his hour off with the immortal "6days" and an interesting remix of "Shooting Star". Yet another switch within the subgenre's that make up the music, Breeze stepped up next, together with Storm on the mic. Making an expected, but no less appreciated return to the mainstream, the RBC boys took the ravers by the scruff of the neck and did what they do best, got em dancing. I had a feeling I would enjoy this set and as expected, it was full of tunes I knew and loved, as well as having no problem dancing to whatsoever. The rest of the crowd was in the same mood with lots and lots of people joining me in getting on it as Storm and Breeze worked their way through their set. Bringing "You're my angel", "You will find your way", "I adore" and "Heartbeatz" to the rave is always a good idea, as well as my personal favourites "Neckbreaker", "Feel So Real" and "Just accept it". But the best part of the set for me was during the playout of "Electrik" when Storm went for an extended "Horns Crew Dont Stop" session, with the crowd backing them up all the way. As the party was a collaboration with Delerium, the next DJs had been picked for the reason of celebrating their 4th birthday. D-Ice and Reality, going back to back as always was another example of lesser known DJs being brought in to play out at peak time becuase they are every bit as competent as the big names. Not to mention making me want to get up and dance like my life depended on it. Whizzkid joined them on the mic and gave the assembled crowd a taste of why I love the Bristol rave scene. I havent been there for too long, but this was the next best thing with D-Ice and Reality busting out tune after tune and Whizzkid going for it non stop like the professional he is. Their tune selection was something special too. Mixing up the biggest tunes like "Still the one" and "I adore" (Big up to Whizzkid for going for his Electrik beatbox while this one was going) with further examples of why Bristol is where its at at the moment, most notably Compulsion's totally fuked up "I Like you". Finally the duo bowed out with the upfront remix of "Here I am" Completing an hour which proves nothing apart from I have to get myself to a Bristol rave at the next opportunity. As well as bucking the trend and going against the grain, the promoters also know when not to fix something unless its broken. This was probably the reason the best wasy to finish a rave was finishing the rave. Consequently, 5am came round and Sy was on the decks as well as Storm on the mic. The remaining ravers were all on the dancefloor for this one. Those that had survived this long knew, like me, that this was the final opportunity to rave to Hardcore till next week. Thats why I was going for it non stop and so was everyone around me. Sy know what works in these situations so he stuck to his guns, as well as occassional tangents to keep the trainspotters (guilty!) on their toes. In the final hour we were treated to only the finest and bounciest tunes available such as "Bring me round to Love", "Do it like they do", "Just accept it", "Making me wanna dance" and I think a new tune, with vocals that went "If only you could stay with me". As well as that, the ever present glut of upfront remixes was once again in the place in the form of "Take me away", "Free your mind" and "Eyeponer". All this was accompanied by Storm impelling the rave to give their all and stay hyped. Indirectly by having it "Raw like sushi" during "Eyeopener" and directly by telling all the slackers to get up off their feet and get dancing! Finally the evening was terminated with the new remix of "Pacific Sun" and the crowd going for it once again till the final beat had faded and Storm wished us a safe journey home. Things I liked: Lineup - Perfect blend of mainstream and diverse, mixing big names and unusual bookings to pique my interest. I especially liked the way they were given equal headlining with regard to set times. None of the "Bundle anyone other than the big names at the start of the evening" treatment you get sometimes. Decor - BIG money had been spent here. The sheer amount of time and effort put into this department was obvious. Using a venue that is rave ready in the production deaprtment means the promoters can concentrate on making their event unique in the decor area. Nice work. Nice fish too. Sound - I am continually impressed by the System at the Brunel Rooms. Very loud and clear, only the brave or the foolish got within 5 feet of the stacks. It was perfectly EQ'd as well. Very nice to listen to all night. Ravers - Another aspect that The Fruit Club is good at. Attracting only the party crew who want to party to the event. Didnt see any bother all night and that was even though a fair proportion of the crowd were of the shirt and loafer rather than the dayglo and trainers variety. Aircon - I was on a rave mission on this one, but I never overheated once. Yummy club aircon kept me cool no matter how long I kept dancing Things I liked less: Security - A fickle bunch to say the least. When they were not doing anything they were cool (I even saw some of them dancing when Luna-C dropped "Help") but when they had a job to do they went in with all guns blazing. I havent been searched like that since Bagleys and the sight of six of them getting from one side of the club to the other when I am in their way was a sobering experience. Fair play for keeping order and doing their job, but a little less zeal would be nice for next time. Room closures - The second and third arenas were closed early. This was good as the ravers were all pushed into the main arena, filling it out nicely, but I liked having a chat in the shed bar and listening to the up and comings play. I dont know how many DJs had made the journey to be dissapointed at losing their set, but it must have been more than a couple. Fog! - Blimey it was dangerous getting home! Performance of the Rave - Close one this, so I'm gonna have to give it to two people. For varied tune selection, Luna-C walked it. Never heard "Help" played out at a rave before, but if it got security dancing then it had to be good. However for pure entertainment, Hixxy also deserves a mention. It was surprising how quick his set seemed to go. Fruit club is the sort of rave I like going too. Musically, you know you're in for a treat with the underbooked talent providing a foil for the mainstream artists, as well as the raw enthusiasm of the Jellybeanz arena in the Shed bar. As well as that, the atmosphere the night creates is just what I look for when going out of a weekend. The night is big enough to engender a "Big rave" atmosphere, but intimate enough to only attract people who the safe party crew want to associate with. I have yet to see anyone without their party hat on at the Fruit Club, cos everyone is there for the same reasons, regardless of whether they are paying customers, DJs, MCs or promoters. However, best of all is the blatent and obvious efforts of the promoters. You can tell which events are run by promoters who in the game for the right reasons and which are there to make as much money as possible. Fruit Club is firmly in the first catagory as the lineup, decor and general attention to detail proved. This was all summed up by the sheer amount of time I spent dancing. The music more than justified the near on 6 hours I was in the zone for on this night. Every time I was thinking of going for a rest another blinder of a tune came on and I had no choice but to get on it once again. This was my second Fruit Club and just as good as my first. I will be going back as soon as possible for more of the same too. Its the sort of rave which makes you feel good throughout the evening, not just when DJ X, Y and Z are on. I'll see you at the next one.
