Friction - 'Assassin Vol One'

‘Assassin Volume One’ brings a top quality selection already stated by “DNB’s best producers 2009” (Chase and Status) and not only shows Shoguns leader as a brilliant dj but great producer as well. With this mix CD featuring some of Friction’s own collaborating projects with some of Shoguns own artists productions it builds and establishes the labels name even further on the map. With Drum and Bass only becoming closer to other music streams with genre hopping artists and friction featuring some of these on ‘Assassin’, there’s always going to be more mainstream ears listening to this material. The industry has artists such as Pendulum. Zinc & Chase and Status to thank for that. Read more ...

Caspa & Rusko @ Junk Club

Rusko kept the true ravers on the dance-floor till gone 3am, with a set that even your grandma would have enjoyed! His track list showcased many of his own productions, including everyone’s favourites ‘Mr Chips’ and ‘Cockney Thug’ to which, he had everyone in the club screaming “Wake The F*** Up!”. Showing his musical roots, he even squeezed in ‘A Little Bit Of Luck’! Read more...

Linkin Park Sonisphere Festival

With 10 minutes till showdown crowds flocked to the main stage from the second in hoards running over beer cans and plastic cups to find their space at the front. However this was not needed as this was different to the usual festival vibe this was Sonisphere and the first Sonisphere in the UK! What’s different about this new breed is it’s a festival that gives attention to detail. It’s a festival which attracts a friendly crowd with fans polite and respectful towards each other. Not once did I have other human contact without an instant apology and this is unheard of at festivals. The arena was thought out well with no huge distances between stages yet no problems with sound conflicts or glare from the sun. The grounds of the festival were plush and very green with it being part of the Knebworth castle grounds which also added to a lovely scenic backdrop especially for the artist and VIP enclosure. Read more...

Valve Summer Slam @ IndigO2

Dillinja and Lemonde’s world famous Drum & Bass sound system returned to London, in the O2 Arena for the first time. It was a hugely anticipated event, and well over two-thousand drum & bass fans had come from all over the country to experience the loudest Drum & Bass sound system in the world! With volume levels peaking at over 130dB it was certainly an experience.

On entry, the first thing I noticed was the clarity of the sound. The microphone sounded crisp, and as the hi-hats were crunching through, the sub bass seemed to vibrate through my legs, while the kick was pumping through my chest. The dance-floor sucked me in.

With dubstep dons N-Type and Hatcha warming up the bass-bins with Crazy D hosting, the crowd was growing ridiculously fast. Hundreds lined-up outside the entrance of the O2 Arena shaking in excitement. Read more...

RAMatter

Matter was the place to be this Friday as herds of drum and bass fans flooded to see some of the biggest DJ’s put on a performance of a lifetime at one of London’s prime clubs since The End. Ram Records have taken over Matter with DJ’s Andy C, Chase and Status, Subfocus, Roni Size, DJ Hype, Red One, Fierce B2B Break and Culture Shock in room one and MC’s GQ Fats, IC3 and Dynamite. Room two represented the best in dubstep and more DnB with Caspa, Kiss 100’s DJ Hatcha, Doc Scott, Marcus Intalex, Lynx, Shimon, Moving Fusion and Cotti & Cluekid.

Matter is easy to get to being situated at the O2 arena and is definitely one place to check out this year with nights being hosted by Mixmag, Bedrock, Cocoon, Hospitality and of course Ram. Drawing in the best DJ’s and bands in the music industry like Simian Mobile Disco, Armand Van Helden, Paul Van Dyke, The Maccabees and Little Boots; this hugely successful club launched by the people behind Fabric will leave your ears ringing, feet popping and body rocking! The club holds a capacity of 2,600 and has three floors with balconies overlooking the dance floor and plenty of places to chill out on. There is also a superb bridge within a cage on the top floor overlooking the dance floor for the most daring of clubbers. With plenty of bars within the club it is easy to get a drink without any hassle as there is no overcrowding and the brilliant dance floor is the perfect place to see your favourite DJ bash it out on the decks inside a caged DJ booth. The top sound system and amazing strobe lights will blow your mind alongside the basic and industrial decor which creates a definitive warehouse feel; perfect for the music that pumps through the speakers. The clean toilets situated on the second floor are big enough to avoid queues and the easily accessible smoking area is another place to cool down after raving it up on the dance floor! Read more...