astraboy

Over the years its fair to say I have been to more than a couple of raves. The raves that are most memorable for me are the ones that offer it all. Atmosphere by the boatload, varied DJ lineups, and a music policy to match. This is why Elation is my most attended rave. this is why I have not missed one since the first time I went.

That was four years ago, but Elation had been going long before I got there and even longer since I arrived. It was in fact 5 years old this year and being 5 years young, something special was called for. Being Elation, all the bases had been covered well in advance.

First off was a venue change. Their long time home at the Electrowerkz had been left behind for a new venue, Jack's near the SEOne in the London Bridge area. This promised two rooms for the Elation crew to really push the boat out when it came to the lineup.

The promotors pride themselves on the lineups they put on when their events are concerned. This, coupled with their birthday celebrations meant that the focal part of the evening was something the savour.

Two rooms, one for the upfront, the second with more of the same, but with a few classic sets thrown in for good measure. Top of the list was the birthday boy Sharkey. He always gets this event at this time of year as he shares the same birthday as the Elation crew. Well close enough for him to get on it in no uncertain terms while he's there, as well as put out two sets of upfront and classic freeform.

Another Double header was Brisk. Even though it was not his birthday, he was getting two sets too, with upfront in the main arena and a classic bouncy techno set in the second room.

And so it continued, the only entry requirement to the lineup seemed to be a capacity to be innovative and a determination to push the envelope. As such it was only right that Lukozade, Wizbit, Mozz, Dodgee, Luna-C, Lee UHF were all in the place on the night.

But the best part of the night was a chance to see a live PA from the newly reformed JAL records. Darwin would perform a DJ set then go live, complete with vocalist for the final 20 minutes.

As well as that, the promotors, namely HB and Ponder, had a set to themselves, and just for good measure Tom U4EA and Bedford Caine got a b2b set too.

But there was only one reason I was going. Well, two. It was Elation's birthday and it was my birthday too. Party Hat on and down to London Bridge it was then.

In the event I got there a little later than I had planned, with me pitching up with the rest of the crew at 11ish, although I was sorry to miss Tom and Caine's set, there was still plenty left to go, in this case, it was in the main arena and it was Sharkey on the decks.

In all honesty, I dont remember much of Sharkey's set. This is the problem with Elation, its the sort of rave that bridges the gap between dance event and social gathering. In short, there were so many of the people in the place were friends of mine that I spent the majority of the first hour I was there saying hello to people! It didnt detract from Sharkz and Elmo providing the entertainment, but there was so many people who I had not seen for such a long time that I was in no position to dance to it.

Not that it mattered though, I knew I would be getting more than enough of Sharkey's efforts later on in the night. That and after he had finished, there was another act I had come to see after him.

The JAL PA had been talked up in the right circles and I wanted to see it. In the event, it was a crossover of DJ set and PA, but that was no chore as it was another opportunity to delve into the unknown. Upfront, euphoric and very high quality, but once again a voyage of discovery when it came to tune IDing. In the end I gave up and took in the set as a whole. With Spenno and Obie taking care of the mic work, Darwin pumped out the music he is known for.

However, it was the last 20 minutes which really stole the show. A live PA was what the crowd wanted and it what it got too. It weren't much to shout out on a visual tip, but JAL revolves around the music and the PA did the same.

Melanie took the stage as well as the mic and gave her all. Singing the tracks live as the crowd took in her efforts. The tracklist for the PA was "Why", "If you" and "Spritual high" as far as I remember, but there could have been one or two that I missed due to my attention being arrested by the performance itself. I dont know about anyone else, but I was impressed.

Next up was a room swap as it was time to return to the classics. These would be provided by the two headliners of the evening. Namely Brisk and Sharkey doing what they specialise in. Classic Freeform Hardcore and Bouncy Techno at its best. First up was the birthday boy.

Together with RizlaDizla & ChitChat on the mic the DJ and the assembled crowd went on a journey into yesteryear as one, with Sharkey clearly enjoying himself as much as the ravers.

Musically it was a fantastic set, it really got my night going. I didn't care it was hotter than hell itself in there, the thought of not dancing to this set was not an option. The rest of the ravers in the place clearly agreed with me.

Stunning music throughout was evident, but it was another set which was full of unknowns for me. The only tunes I could recognise were "Take me up", "King of rock" and a remix of "Music's so wonderful". Not that I cared, I was too busy having the time of my life, right next to the speaker, giving it all I got as Sharkey pumped out his obvious favourites, whilst ingesting vast amounts of JD and Coke which had a habit of refilling themselves

By the end of the set I was pretty knackered, but up for more in no uncertain terms. I was sure the next DJ would change all that. Brisk stepped up to replace Sharkz and brought forth his bouncy goodness.

RizlaDizla and Matt Wildcard were on hand to go b2b whilst keeping it minimalist and entertaining. Brisk was doing what he was best at behind the decks. Like I said, Bouncy Techno at it best and the assembled ravers loved every minute of it. So did I. It was a trial by ordeal in that furnace, a perfect example of pleasure being immediatedly followed by pain. I was loving the music and wanted to dance to it, but when you did, you rapidly overheated. However as soon as you stopped you wanted to start again! Easily done with Brisk dropping some top tunes, including "you got the power", "6days" and the rather apt "Got me burning up".

Finally, he finished it in the only respectable way, taking it right the way to the beginning and and playing "Jeeee-Ha!" in its entirity.

Even though the bouncy techno had finished, it was not the end of Brisk's entertainment for the night. I pretty much followed him from room 2 to room 1 where he got on the decks and went for it upfront.

Joining him was his partner in Next Generation crime, MC Wotsee. Never one to let a crowd go home unhyped, Wotsee and Brisk were on peak form for this one. I was going for it by the speakers for the next hour too.

It was markedly cooler in the main arena, which meant I could go for it for longer. This coupled with the music the DJ was supplying added up to one of the more enjoyable sets of the night. Upfront euphoric and just that little bit different (well he was playing out at Elation), Brisk dropped a nice mix including a remix of "Angel eyes", "Crazy Love", "Getting better", "Poison" and "Be happy". I know I was after he had finished with me.

Whilst all this was going on, it was nearing 4am, and that meant that it was almost time for another highlight of the evening, namely Luna-C on the decks, playing out as only he can.

I always enjoy Luna-C's sets, the guy never fails to entertain me and this was no exception. Why does he entertain me so much? Cos he is the only DJ who makes the effort to make as many tangents as possible during his set. Sod gently building the pace and tempo, lets bring things grinding to a halt and go off at 90 degrees, just for fun. Awesome.

This was re-inforced by the fact it was another set when I had not a clue what was played for the vast majority. All I know was it had Luna-C's stamp all over it. For the first 25 or so minutes, his set was a complete mystery, but very, very dancable.

Thereafter, it was more recognisable stuff that dominated. The ever popular remix of "Timebomb" made an appearence, as well as "Here's Johnny", "Help", a nice remix of "journey", and finally another tangent to finish with as a Hip Hop tune signalled the end of Luna-C's set, not to mention the mosh pit that Dave Skywalker, Cris-E-Manic and other had kicked off

For the last set of the night, it was meant to be Sy finishing things off like he always does, but as it was not to be, DJ Happy Bounce/Happy Spaz/HB (pick which one you prefer) stepped up to finish off his rave the way he wanted. I knew I was going to see Sy the very next day and I had missed HB's earlier appearence with his known associate Ponder so I was a happy raver as the last hour approached.

It was classic Elation through and through. It was the reason I came to this rave and that is to hear music which is just not played out anywhere else. I got all that I could handle and more when HB took me on his personal interpretation of the Hardcore sound. Together with Chit Chat and the occasional well placed lyric from Sharkey, it was a set I will remember as a 60 minute sum up of what Elation was, sorry is, all about.

The lightweights might have gone home early or dropped like flies as HB's set progressed, but the PROPER Hardcore ravers stood their ground and danced till the final tune. I was amongst that number, the thought of not going for it for the final hour at this Elation didnt even enter my head.

For the final set of the night, awesome tunage was a pre requsite. HB had everything you could want with upfront tunage like "DIDO R.I.P", " and the remix of "Time bomb", underground sounds were taken care with by dropping "Monkey hands", "On my mind" and "lips", whilst the tounge in cheek was more than covered with "World in union".

Lastly, it just wouldnt be Elation without some random cheese rip off. I thought that Mark had overlooked this so I demanded "Button Moon", he told me to bide my time and all would be taken care of. I knew what he was talking about as soon as the second from last tune was dropped. Anyone who is half ashamed and half proud to have a copy of "Transformers - The movie" knew the tune straight off. A, frankly, offensive remix "Win if you Dare!" was the second from last tune and had me laughing so much I cant even remember what the last one was. Fantastic

Things I liked:

Music-What Elation is famous for and once again it did not let me down. Awesome music all night, from upfront sets full of surprises, to classic sets with all my favourites too.

Venue- I am in two minda bout the venue tbh. The second room was a bit of a sweatbox, and the sloping floor was a bitch to get used to, but the main room was very good indeed, good size, nicely chilled with a bar at the back and plenty of seating too.

Production- Serious laser effects in the place, as always, two is always better than one.

Stompage -I think I danced for about 6 hours non stop, from the start of Sharkey's set in the second room to the final tune by mark in the main arena. A reflection of how good the night and the music was.

The "Third area" - It lives! The Unisex toilets off the second arena. Mad Vic and baby D know what Im talking about....

Atmosphere- about 85% of the party crew in the place were people who I consider good friends. The preponderance of Friendly faces in the place definitely made my night fly by.

Things I liked less:

DJs not turning up - please note the distinction between not turning up and being cancelled. Thanks.

Heat in the second arena - it was lucky the music was to good for it to matter.

Uncertainty - Questions were raised in the aftermath of this rave. I hope the answers aint the ones I have heard.

After a break of near on 8 months, it was frightening how easy it was to forget how good Elation is. Fortunately, none of that mattered once I had gotten inside the rave and gotten into the music. It didnt matter cos it was exactly how I remembered it at Christmas Carnage late last year.

The stuff that is evident at every Elation from 2001 to now was there with bells on. The awesome cutting edge music for starters. It actively piques your interest and makes you realise how diverse the music within our scene actually is. Many try to be diverse, only Elation gets it right every time.

Atmosphere the event is famous for was there by the bucketload too. Everybody who mattered was up for a party and had a great time while they were there. I know I was loving every minute of it whilst I was in the place. It had been way too long.

One of the quickest passing raves I've ever been to, one of the sweatiest I've ever been to and for sheer unadulerated fun, well I cant remember how long its been since I enjoyed myself as much.

Elation has done it again, with another top night out with everyone and everything I needed to spend the entire night as close to the stacks as possible, dancing to the best music in the business. And "Win if you Dare" as well. I Will be at the next one, for no other reason than because this one has made me realise how much I missed this party.
astraboy.
Shouts to:
Kas, Dutch Bird, Gareth (happy birthday), Gillian and John, Cris-E-Manic, Dan Desire, Emmabot & Dez, Ravegirl, Rik Arkitech, James and Charlie, Nuclearaver, Big Alf, Moonlight Sparrow (Sleepy crew), Paul Z, Grob, Lisa, Wendy, Dave Skywalker, Coriolis, Lady Angelic, Lul, Matt Wildcard & Lauren, Venetian Baztard, Mark Eezergoode, Olig, Obie, CDJay, Gem, Baby_d, Mad Vic (toilet paparazzi crew), Sawyerbean, Androo and Mrs Androo, Hattrixx, Ed-E, Emma, Shazza Spannered, Urban, Nova & Iwolf, Compulsion, Jordi, Alan_M, Slammin Sam, Mayhem, Sweetstar, Freefall, Potfish, Andy M, Ben ST, Stu8, Spencer, Brisk, Sharkey, Luna-C, Darwin, Cakes, Dodgee & Bouncing buncheez, Lee UHF & Lisa, Lukozade, Wizbit, Caine, Mozz, Wotsee, Elmo, ChitChat, Spenno, RizlaDizla anyone else I may have forgotten, sorry. And lastly to Mark HB, Paul Ponder and TomU4EA. Nice one lads, what it was all about.

EXSCOOBY

big shouts going out to the trumpton fire brigade massive........

Pugh, Pugh, Barney McGrew, Cuthbert, Dibble and Grubb.!!!!

cant forget the one like rebel mc dropping much chat like madness.....

he hit us raveheads up with verses like we had never heard

"Time flies by when I'm the driver of a train
And I ride on the footplate there and back again
Under bridges over bridges to our destination
Puffing through the countryside there's so much to be seen.
Passengers waving as we steam through a station.
Stoke up fireman for the signal is at green.

Time flies by when I'm the driver of a train
And I ride on the footplate there and back again
In the cutting, through the tunnel,
Rushing clanking on the track.
Wheezing pistons, smoking funnels,
Turning wheels go clickety clack.
Time flies by when I'm the driver of a train
And I ride on the footplate there and back again. "


nuff respect to mc windymiller too...........

EXSCOOBY

**** the bubbles burst asssboy
why not graffiti this review on the walls of your local yoof centre your fan base are more likely to read it there
or get a job at halfords and shout out there