I got the 8:17 train to Kings Cross, which was running late to meet Bridie at 8:45 as planned. At about 9:40 Bridie turns up followed shortly by Kev, Andrew and all the kru. Walk to Bagleys. The size of the queue was no surprise - it was fucking HUGE! And what do we get to entertain us? The video man asking us to shout garage! FUCK GARAGE!! Was our reply. Once things got moving well after 10pm as is the norm at Bagleys we were in very quickly. Got myself a beer and it was off to the merchandise stall to sort out a problem that I had at United Dance. Big shout to Darren Bolino and his team. Then it was off to the Hardcore arena, doned my mask and off I went. Vinylgroover was on the decks playing what I found to be the best set of the night. There was a few technical problems but he was ripping it up largeing style, with a full on uplifting set. He also played a few new tunes that I hadn't heard before, - a new remix of SL2's On A Ragga Tip and another old skool tune (Fuck knows what it was, I certainly can't remember!) On the mic was a MC who calls himself Storm. From the early indication it looked like we would have to dial 999 because he was on fire! I've only ever heard him mc this well when he's doing it back2back stlye with Charlie B. When Vinylgroover dropped Storm, MC Storm expoded and so did the crowd. WOW! Vinylgroover and Storm had me so high I couldn't be bothered to attend the first USH meet up, so if you were looking for me sorry! Next up was a popular Londoner named Vibes who wanted to celebrate his birthday in style, so a classic hardcore set was the way to go. Playing tunes like Teckno Wonderland and other past classic the ravers were like putty in his hands and he knew it too. Whizzkid was on the mic and althought he didn't appear to be on his best form the lyrics were still following smoothly from his mouth as the horns and whistles were blowing. Next up was the godfather Sir Slipmatt alongside Charlie B. His set started poorly so I went to check out the Old Skool room downstairs. Now I couldn't tell you what DJ was risning out the tunes of yester-year but he appeared to have the crowd in a trance. A quick fag and chat outside to cool down before heading back into the hardcore party. Slipmatt was still do the decks but it was as if he had left and come back again. The lifeless trance had mean replaced by new remixes of Shooting Star (which is not as good as the origional), Sailaway (Trixxy's new remix is better), and more uplifting, stomping HARDCORE. This was more like the Slipmatt we had grow up to love. It wasn't until Slipmatt dropped Storm I reliased Charlie B had gone, it was MC Storm on the mic and it would appear he loves the tune made by the Addiction by with the same name. And so do I! Force and Styles were up next, and it was a sad day for hardcore. F&S are the inovaters of vocal lead piano stompers and what could I hear pumping from the speaker? Trance. After 15 minutes I left. Outside was freezing, but the atmosphere was bubbling. Could this be one of the best events of the year. I certainly lots set to rate very highly. Downstairs I ventured once again, this time because Martin had a burger he wanted to eat berore it froze as we feared he'd me charged again to heat it up! I think it was Kenny Ken on the decks playing classic drum and bass. I prefer 96/97 D&B this was the time when it reached it's peak and scince then has declined. If you like D&B checkout Addiction & Raindance's very own D-Mix and MC MP. He is one of the best DJ's out there and MP is one of the best MC's - They work very well together. I had had my fill of drum & bass so back upstairs for more hardcore. Hixxy and Charlie B. What can I say? Again Hixxy knows how to play. He is raver enermy no1 for his love of trance but I have NEVER heard him play a bad set. (Except on the Bonkers series). Tune after tune of uplifting classics. Who was that on the mic, was it just me or was it Viper? I don't know but I think it was. Sy B2B Unknown with mc Storm - it's been a while scince I heard a good hardcore set from these boys. Too much trance and overdoing the scatches, but it would apear that they have listened and they played a top hardcore set with enoght scratching to know it was the scatch master but you could still hear the tunes! Well done. Dougal - last set. Please I thorght play cheesey inovate stuff, don,t play trance, but someone had to. We went it to the garage arena so Kev could get his jacket and were subjected to 30minutes of garage as he sneaced off! I don't know how many tunes Jason Kaye of Top Buzz fame played, but it all sounded the same to me. Half empty, no dancing, no noize, no athnosphere, no talent from the MC. Back to Dougal! Last tune of the night - With or Without You by U2. I like this tune but it is noway a last tune choice! Wicked Night, Wicked Crowd, Wicked Production. If I never lost my chemicals it would have been better! BIG SHOUT TO EVERYONE RESPECT
