Created with flickr slideshow.
Valve Showdown @ IndigO2 (29/08/09
DJs:
Dillinja B2B Lemonde
Andy C
Adam F B2B Fresh
Sub Focus
Noisia
Bryan G
Clipz
Brockie
Malinki
MCs:
Eksman
GQ
Fearless
Fats
Justyce
Shabba
Dread
Dett
Visionobi
The second coming of the Valve Sound System at IndigO2, had a lot to live up to. The previous event was a sell out, and was one of the biggest Drum & Bass nights of the year. Even with hot competition in and around London on the same night, this event attracted a very friendly crowd of over one and a half thousand.
With the sound system peaking at approximately 4dB quieter than last time, it still packed a punch, and sounded even better. By the time I arrived the bass-bins were warmed up, and were sending subsonic vibrations throughout most of Greenwich.
Competition winners DJ Malinki and U-M’s very own MC Visionobi, got the night started, and had already built an exciting atmosphere by the time Brockie and MC Dett stepped up to deliver an hour of Jungle classics.
Bryan G brought the music up-to-date with some Jungle influenced Drum & Bass. The rumbling basslines and oldskool breaks gave the sound system a real work-out, as the ‘V Recordings’ founder dropped tracks such as ‘Jungle Music’ by Logistics and DJ Fresh’ forthcoming anthem ‘Heavyweight’.
As midnight struck, DJ Clipz gave the crowd something different. Showcasing his ‘Redlight Set’ he delivered an array of dirty beats at all different tempos, switching between Dubstep, Drum & Bass and even Breakbeat. The crowd reaction was positive, and the vibes continued to grow.
The duo behind this legendary sound system were next to play. Dillinja took control for the first half hour, and opened with a self-produced track, fresh out the studio and currently un-named. By the time his current release ‘Shiners’ had dropped the crowd was jumping. Eksman performed some of his best-known lyrics, while Dillinja showed just what the Valve system is capable of. Smashing cymbals, and warm, heavily compressed bass had the club shaking.
Lemonde carried on where his production partner had left off, playing a selection of dirty jump-up. Again DJ Fresh’s ‘Heavyweight’ was one of the highlights of the set.
After a quick wander to see what was going on in the virtually empty chill-out room, I returned to the main arena just in time for MC Fats to introduce a memorable set from Sub Focus. All the usual Sub Focus anthems were on show, and the Ram Records artist also showcased some of the tracks from his long-awaited, self-titled album due for release in October. Tracks such as ‘Let The Story Begin’ and the new Sigma track ‘Front To Back’ really caused a stir on the dance floor.
Adam F and DJ Fresh then played 30 minutes each alongside MC Shabba D. Adam F was first in line, and began his set with both of Hazard’s current anthems ‘Wicked So’ and ‘Tactics’. With rapid mixing and heavy track selection he kept the atmosphere rising, ready for former Bad Company member ‘Fresh’ to deliver his take on the scene.
His first track, a brand new remix of ‘I Need Your Loving’ received a well deserved reload, as did a brand new vocal version of ‘Gold Dust’ taken from his forthcoming album due for release in February 2010. Fresh also introduced some exclusive Breakbeat Kaos material including tracks from himself and Brookes Brothers.
The night reached it’s peak as MC GQ introduced the, once again, ‘Best DJ’ award winning, Andy C. Showing off his trademark mixing skills he mixed and double dropped his way through an energetic selection, delivering the full spectrum of Drum & Bass music. After really testing the sound system with ‘Artisan VIP’, he dug out some classics including the Calibre remix of Badmash & Shri’s ‘Signs’ and ended with Adam F’s ‘Circles’.
Dutch Drum & Bass outfit, Noisia, then brought the night to an end with an hour of distorted, bit-crushed bass sounds, as MC Justyce kept the vibe alive. The club was almost filled till the very end, no one was in a rush to go home.
Tune of the night: There were too many tracks to chose just one, so instead here’s the top three records judged on crowd reaction…
1) Sub Focus – Let The Story Begin (Forthcoming on Ram Records)
2) DJ Hazard – Tactics (Forthcoming on Playaz Recordings)
3) DJ Fresh – Heavyweight (Forthcoming on Digital Soundboy Recordings)
Venue: 5/5
Sound system: 5/5
Music: 5/5
Atmosphere: 4/5
Review by Ryan Bassoo of Underground-music.co.uk
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Comment by GUEST on 2009-09-03 02:33:50
Always love the Valve! |
Comment by GUEST on 2009-09-03 04:11:36
Brilliant review and pictures! What a night!! |
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