I have only been to two Destiny's in my time as a raver, my first time was when I went to it a few years back, not really knowing what to expect. This was before I knew what the South Coast Hardcore scene was all about and as such it was a bit of an education to say the least. I was expecting a pokey little club, with a low ceiling and 50 people in there maximum. I was right and wrong. It was a pokey little club with a low ceiling, but there was at least 250 ravers in the place, everyone having it right till the final tune. It was a shock I can tell you, but the most lasting impression was the way I left the place with a big smile on my face. Subsequent visits to the south coast reinforced this die hard party spirit, so when I heard Destiny was about to put on an event at Bornemouth's largest rave friendly venue, The Opera House, I had to be there. Having been to previous efforts hosted by Hardcore Heaven and Slinky and gone away seriously impressed with the turnout, music and venue, I had faith Destiny would be able to re-produce this, even if it had less in its promotional aresnal. Its become a familiar thing, blitzing down the M3 at a rate of knots to go to a rave and I cant get enough of it. Bornemouth hoved into view when I chucked a left of the A27 and soon after I was pulling up outside the premeet pub. A few pints and a taxi later and we were outside the venue, with entrance sorted out in a very workmanlike manner, we were inside in no time. The opera house is literally what it says on the tin, with it being a converted theatre, sans seats (on the ground floor anyways) and a big balcony to chill out on should you need it. For the moment, I didnt, with all I needed to make an early start on the evening in the shape of Sy on the decks and Sharkey on the mic! I made a beeline for the main arena, via the bar to get a couple of tequilas in. But once I was there (and got the tequila down me) I wouldnt have left if you paid me. The last time I saw Sharkz and Sy go b2b it was at HTID NYE. I was more than happy for an action replay, especially with Sharkey's return to the mic guaranteeing good times ahead. Even though I'm more used to seeing the DJ and the MC at the end of the night rather than the start, baoth took full advantage of the opportunity to play out to the assembled ravers and those of them in the place were not backward in coming forward in showing their appreciation for their work. Hardly surprising, seeing as the best in he business were gracing the mic and decks, but there was no resting on any laurels going on, Sharkz and Sy gave it everything they had, with Sy playing a sublime mix of his trademark upfront, high energy, infectious selection, including "Pullover", "21st century rush", "Take control", "Cry" and "Dropzone", while Sharkey proved himself once again, most notably when he came out with "You want a shout? Okay I'll give you a shout, heres your shout. AAAAAAHHHHHHH!!!" With a pair of consumate entertainers departing the decks, it was left to another to take over. Fortunately, Vibes and Lively were up next, so being entertained was not an issue, stomping your guts out to music and the MC most definitely was. I'll be honest with you, with Vibes producing again, the majority of his set was dominated by his new creations, as such I didnt recognise most of hisset, but then again, I didnt need to know what it was in order to get on it on the dancefloor, nut those that I did recognise were towards the end of the set, with "Heaven on earth" and "Open your eyes" both forthcoming. Seeing as I was well in the zone by, now, the music was also complimented by the one like Livelee, who spent the entire set rooted to the spot on the stage above the ravers, proving his worth as Hardcore's number one crowd hyper, as well as busting out classic and new lyrics, including "Mix up the potion" and "Feel good factor" After and hour, it was time up for the Vibes and Livelee show, but taking over was an unusual combination, with Dougal occupying the decks and MCs Rude and Marley on the mic. Dont think I'd ever seen this lot got at it together for an hour, but individually, they have never let me down, so it would be interesting to see what they could come up with as a team. In the event, it was a lot, with the three of them coming up with one of the more enjoyable sets of the night. With the place nicely full of Hardcore ravers, it was all the encouagement Rude, Marley and Dougal needed and each of them did what they do best. With Dougal coming up with plenty of euphoric rushy tunes which got me moving in NO uncertain terms, Marley and Rude were like chalk and cheese on the mic, with the former keeping it minimal like the professional he is, while Rude maximised his talents with some choice lyrics such as "What you ravers waiting for" and "kick it". Dougal was also coming up with the goods, mainly becuase I like the way he puts his sets together. Upfront, but with a distinct twist that I cant put my finger on, but love all the same. Tune selection rocks too and as well as dropping my personal favourite "Tripod" this time round, the rest of his set was just as good, with "Pullover", "Elysium", "I see the light", "Through the darkness" and "open your eyes" all getting a well deserved airing. Next up was something very special, with a live PA from Imperial Forces, the brainchild of one DJ Jedi. With an impressive selection of Star Wars Characters trooping on stage, including Darths Maul and Vader, as well as Princess Leia, Chewbacca and a few stormtroopers for good measure, they got on with what they were there for. Together with MC Casper on the mic, the Pa was definitely different from others I have seen. While most go to excessive lengths to push their new work on the crowd, the Imperial forces, while also doing that, the also were hell bent on entertaining the crowd. They did this by ditching the new tunage after about three tracks (which were all preceeded by an inventive intro taking off the "imperial march" theme from the films) and thereafter concentrated on pumping out the classics like their lives depended on it. With a 100% live vocalist in the place, anything was possible, but all of them came up trumps and a solid and professional performance which also had the advantage of making the ravers dance like lunatics, myself inlcuded. Difficult not to with a tracklisting including "Field of Dreams" and "Shooting Star". After the imperial forces had expended their energy, it was the turn of local talent to take the rave to he next level, with Equilibrium and RealPlay taking their places and Casper staying put on the mic, they blindsided me from the beginning by reprising Imperial Forces' "Imperial march" tune, before taking to the decks in their own right. Even though i've only seen these guys play out once before, I was impressed with the tune slection and apparantly so were the crowd, with the ravers in the place staying put and going for it, while The DJs and Casper entertained them to the max. Tune wise, it was another case of mostly unknown stuff all the way, punctuated with the occasional tune I recognised. However one track that stood head and shoulders above the rest was was the inclusion of "Adagio" about halfway through. Fantastic. For the 2-3 set, it was the start of something special, Scott Brown's first performance at the Opera House, with Casper alongside him all the way. He was obvious anxious to impress the assembled crowd and it showed, with my favourite set of the night just about to start, I got down the front and stayed there. Starting off with an early showing of "This is how we do it" and a tasty remix of "let the beat commence" and "Elysium", Scott set the tone for the rest of his set, then continued in a similar vein. Not that I had a problem with that, quite the opposite in fact, with it being too long since I've seen Scott play out, I was just happy to be there as "Caught up in your love", "I adore" and "Neckbreaker" all played out in rapid succession. However, the REAL highlight for me was the final half hour, all of it taken up by the finest Dutch Hardcore you could imagine. This was what I was there for, its been too long since I listened to gabba played out over a huge sound system and weirdly enough it was Scott at the controls last time it happened as well. The past followed the present and I went crazy for the next 30 glorious minutes as unknown tunes mingled with "Lets get dirty", "I feel Hardcore" and the sets finisher "Boomstick". Not even the Organ donors necessatating me leaving the venue an hour early could take the shine off that. Things I liked: Sound system - I know its in house, but its bloody loud, very clear and so good, I dont like to go within 10 feet of the stacks. And thats with earplugs. Ravers - South Coast ravers are the safest in the country, I had a great time when I was there, surrounded by every single one of them. Laser - Another in house item, but very impressive to watch, not turned on often enough though, it has to be said. Things I liked less: Organ Donors - I'm sure they have their fans, but I really didnt appreciate them being put on last and slowing the rave back down to walking pace. It was especially emphasised, coming on straight after Scott Brown tore the place apart with his extended gabba set. I would have preferred a sprint finish, but I didnt get one, so I left early. Even though the lack of a Hardcore finale set was a bit of a downer, it in no way detracted from yet another top class party on the south coast. This one courtesy of Destiny. I knew they used to hold massive raves a while back, so it was nice to see them take the plunge and come up trumps. Its fair to say that they didnt pull *quite* as many people in as the sell out crowds that HH and Slinky attract, but although there was less people in there, there was still more than enough to create a seriously infectious rave atmosphere in the place, as well as providing the luxury of having some room to dance instead of feeling like a battery hen in a dayglo. This coupled with a top lineup and a unique live PA for my troubles, means I'm gonna be returning. Destiny has delivered the goods twice now and I'm positive it will continue to do so. All I have to do is turn up and I'll be entertained in no uncertain terms and surrounded by up for it party crew. Believe me when i say it makes the 1 1/2 hour drive from London no chore at all. See you at the next one! astraboy.
