Wildlife Festival: Disclosure and Rudimental kickstart festival season in Brighton

Festival season has finally begun (yippe!), and what better way to warm up the summer's festivities than spending the day at a party in sunny Brighton? I attended the Saturday of Wildlife Festival which was filled with an array of artists including Nas, Joy Orbison and Gorgon City. For those that aren't camping fans, there are plenty of non-camping city festivals on offer this summer with Field Day, Parklife and Wildlife all happening at the same time that weekend.

Brighton Pier

The first ever Wildlife fest (curated by Rudimental and Disclosure) is truly a bonanza with a unique atmosphere thanks to its pleasant vibes. I love Brighton, it's just got such a great buzz, so when my friend told me he wanted to celebrate his birthday there, I jumped at the chance to come along!

As me and my friends got to Brighton city, the place was heaving with anticipated festival-goers scurrying around the beach drinking the last of their pre-drinks. Located in Brighton City Airport (about 15 minutes from Brighton town), the festival had organised bus rides to the site. Unfortunately, when we got to the queues they were way too long, so we decided to grab a cab ourselves even though we had paid extra for the bus journey. This was an annoyance, but like any other festival there are going to be issues (especially as this was the first ever Wildlife). 

 When we arrived however, the queue into the festival ran smoothly and we were able to get in quickly – a rarity for festivals nowadays. As we scurried in, I was excited to see what Wildlife had on offer. With a name like 'Wildlife', I was expecting to see fun decorations. However all that I saw were some inflatable insects floating above the crowds in one of the tents (which we found quite comical).

Although I mainly attend festivals for the music, I also love to take a little break and explore the surrounding spaces. One thing I love about festivals, are their creative installations. This festival’s downside was its site - simply a handful of marques, bars and fairground rides with no unique personality to it.

But let's focus on the music highlights! The first stage we got to was the WHP stage where Bicep played B2B with Midland. The pair kept things hyped enough to keep the attention of the crowd bouncing throughout their whole set. There were a few low sound issues which stopped me losing myself in the music.

Next up, Skream took to the stage with a set that made the crowd erupt with familiar tracks such as God Made Me Phunky whilst constantly interacting with the audience creating a fun, buzzy atmosphere (as he always does).  

 

After swimming around the WHP stage for a while, we decided to catch Oneman play B2B with My Nu Leng in one of the tents. I always love to go and see Oneman as he plays a wide variety of songs and this set was no exception. Their set filled the tent with a wave of House, Garage and Grime renaissance, playing classics such as The Street's Blinded By The Lights, cheered and sung on by the crowds. 

As the sun started to set, we decided to go and see some live acts from the day and the first on our agenda was Gorgon City. They began their live show with Coming Home with the very talented Josh Barry on vocals - keeping the tent healthily packed. As they played their popular songs such as Unmissable and Real (with Lulu James also on vocals) the audience sang along to every word. They also changed it up a bit by making their own rendition of Roy Davis Junior's Gabrielle - which I thoroughly enjoyed. Saving the best till last, Gorgon City played Ready For Your Love with MNEK coming out onto stage to surprise fans.

Gorgon City ft. Josh Barry

When the evening drew to a close, we all had to catch the last bit of the headline act: Rudimental. It's always a pleasure to watch Rudimental live. I saw them for the first time at Hideout Festival 2012 and they impressed me from the get-go with their extremely gifted saxophone player (I'm a sucker for a sax). As we ran to catch the last of their set - it was the perfect moment as they played Spoons featuring MNEK & Syron. This is an oldie of theirs, but definitely a goldie - a beautiful timeless track that had the crowd in a melodic trance for the last part of the festival.

Wildlife 2015 was a great warm up for the start of summer. Despite some setbacks (which is inevitable at any festival, especially one making its debut) the day was a lot of fun. Roll on summer 2015!!

Tania x

Mondaze.....

Helping you out with yo Monday bluesssssss ;)

Tania x

From Boat to Bones to Bike: My 20 Hour Adventure at Strictly House, Half Baked......and Meat Mission

Hey gang! I would like to start by saying that I am extremely SORRY for this late post. I hope I can make it up to you guys with a review of not one, but three parties I attended the other weekend :)

As we were hit with yet another bank holiday, my girls and I wanted to start the party early doors on the Sunday morning. As I drove to my bestie's house I was greeted at the door with a Bloody Mary - the only way to begin a May Day fiesta! Once we drank our fair share of cocktails we slipped on our dancing shoes and made our way to the first party!

We chose to warm up close to home with a party hosted by Strictly House. Usually based on the outskirts of London, this time, Strictly House spread their wings and tested the central London waters...on a boat on the Thames! I was so looking forward to spending my day in the sun on what seemed like the hottest day of the year - and what better way to do it than on a boat with great music, drinks and stunning views of the city? To be totally honest, I was a bit sceptical at the beginning as I had only been to boat parties at festivals abroad. I mean how could a boat in England match up to that? However, I was pleasantly surprised...

Once we collected our wristbands and walked onto the boat, we made straight for the bar to kick things off. The party started off on a good note as drinks were cheap and cheerful, which is definitely a steal in the centre of London. As we walked up the top deck, summery House tunes were thumping through the speakers, such as Kaytranada's remix of Missy Elliott's I'm Really Hot to get the crowd going before we even set sail.

Strictly House had something for everyone with their resident DJs taking to the decks playing underground House and old school crowd-pleasers. In particular, when Gypsy Woman and Space Cowboy dropped, it made the whole boat break out with cheers and every party-goer two-stepped to the dance floor, arms swooshing in the air. The vibe was perfect with such a nice group of people and upbeat music. At some points I felt like I was on holiday!

 

As the pre-boat party drew to a close and we reached safe grounds (the boat was making me feel a little woozy) a couple of buses were parked outside the decking. Strictly House smashed it with their event organisation - the buses took everyone that attended the boat party on to the main event at the McQueen in Shoreditch. Lovely touch to keep the whole crowd together!

At this point of the day my girls and I were STARVING, so before we carried on boogying we stopped off at Shoreditch's infamous Meat Mission. If you haven't been before, you've got to go - the food is incredible. We grabbed a selection of Chilli Cheese Fries, Bingo Chicken Wings, and Hippie Burgers all rough and ready, finger-licking grub! The restaurant's decor is synonymous to its East London location - all laid-back and cool with a grungy vibe.

Meat Mission thumbs

After our victorious munching sesh, we headed back down to McQueens to pick up where we left off. The place was heaving, this time with new faces as well as us boat party-goers.

McQueen's is a lavish lounge bar based on two floors. The basement is a sophisticated, dark-lit space whilst the top floor has a large dance area with trendy sofas - ideal for those lagging from the boat party. Although sophisticated, this didn't stop the party from popping off with the music progressing into groovy tunes such as Jamie Trench's Velvet Curtains as night fell.

Whilst we were having a great time at Strictly House, we felt that we needed to take our raving adventure somewhere else. Luckily, one of my friends had three spare tickets for Half Baked so me and the girls took the opportunity as soon as it arose....it was fate!

 

Feeling sophisticated 

Yes we ended up at Half Baked AGAIN but we had a bluddy brilliant time! It almost felt like it was a completely different party, with a Techno focused line up rather than the last Disco shindig!

HB also hosted a day & night bank hols special split across two venues. The outdoor day party had food stalls, live art performances and glitter stalls which we sadly missed (booooo). But the evening party was impressive in its own right, with the most eclectic range of music I had heard that whole day. Big names on the bill included Appollonia's Shonky and Half Baked resident's Julietta and Greg Brockmann that took to the stage for our one last dance for MAY DAY!

Half Baked Bike...We meet again!

The simple, underground venue (Autumn Street Studios - also known as Bloc) was the perfect environment for its crowd - dark and subversive. As we excitedly walked into a change of scenery, the main room was in full swing thanks to Shonky's talent on the turntables. Revellers were sent into a funk-fuelled frenzy when he dropped MK's 1995 remix of Jodeci - Freakin You, all singing along at the top of their lungs. Shonky brought his undeniable sense of tough House grooves along with smooth, dance vocals that rocked the whole space.

Next up, was Half Baked resident Julietta. Never having heard of Julietta before, I was eager to see what kind of set she would play. Whether she played House or Techno, she never failed to get the crowd moving. Plus she had me as soon as she played Acid House! After Shonky and Julietta's sets the night turned into a blur of my girls and I dancing, socialising and treating the space as one massive playground.

Making my stamp at the Autumn Street toilets!

Overall, this May Day bank hols had been one random adventure! It goes to show that the best nights are usually unplanned, random and spontaneous. oooooo yeah!!

Until next time folks ;)

Tania x

Half Baked 'Bank Holiday Special' with Motor City Drum Ensemble

Easter celebrations were in full swing last weekend as the first bank holiday of 2015 had finally crept upon us. Whilst others may have opted for gluttonising eggs, soaking up the sun or spending quality time with the fam, I saw Easter Sunday as the perfect excuse to go out raving!

 

Half Baked (HB) at Studio 338 was the party of choice amongst my gang of friends – there is no denying that the Half Baked Records crew really know how to throw a celebration. Sunday was no exception. A 15 hour mystical marathon full of love, glitter and amazing Disco music surrounding the venue of 3,000 revellers.

Studio 338 is a slick super-club; its massive outside heated terrace in the main room creates an Ibiza-esque vibe. However, when you reach upstairs into the hidden loft the venue contrasts completely, hitting the grit of south-east London's clubbing scene to its very core. Dark, with low ceilings, it's like visiting two venues at once!

Photobooth fun

The party was decorated true Half Baked style. The labels iconic bicycle hung from the main room ceiling outlined with flashing fairy lights and flowers to really get the celebratory mood going. They even added a photo booth, glitter bath and glitter stall so that we could get our SPARKLE ON whilst raving thanks to Starlight Boutique Facepaint! If you think that was enough glamour for the night, Half Baked added some extra surprises - including a fashion stall by Tallulah Minxy.

My best friend and I arrived at around 8pm where we were greeted with - "Just A Little Disco..." at the entrance. It was as if I had entered Narnia; beautiful people wearing feather headdresses brushed passed me, whilst unicorns circled the room singing and cheering. As I walked inside it was already heaving with friendly faces all dancing to up-beat House music - an immense vibe that always makes me keep going back to HB.

After we covered ourselves in glitter and took to the dancefloor, it was time for Motor City Drum Ensemble (MCDE) to take to the stage. My anticipation grew for MCDE's set all night; since I saw him at Dimensions Festival last year my love for him has always remained! His ability to mix Soul music into House and Techno is one of a kind and he is undeniably one of the most talented artists around at the moment (in my opinion).

As he jumped on the decks to take the party to a whole new level of music pleasure, my friends and I moved straight to the front to get the perfect view of our favourite DJ.

He did not disappoint! His set kept getting better and better as he mixed massive tunes all the way from Bileo's You Can Win, Jamie3:26 & Cratebug's Hit It N Quit It and Syclop's Jump Bug. Characterised by sassy vocals and classic Disco bangers, everyone erupted as each record dropped. He even concluded his set with Ain't NoMountain High Enough - tell me that ain't brave to finish to a crowd of Techno ravers!? As glitter fell down from the ceiling, the crowd sang along, hugged and kissed each other sending a loving, atmospheric vibe all around. 

Motor City Drum Ensemble

I floated around most of the night after MCDE's set - mostly staying in the loft room, lounging on sofas and catching up with friends. I didn't want to feel as if I had wasted the last couple of hours of the night, so I headed down towards the main room again into daytime (when all the weird and wonderful starts to happen).

Resident DJ's, Hold Youth were smashing it out with increasingly sleek, bass-led Techno to keep the party going. I've got to end this post with this video...cracks me every time! GO ON JAMIE.

Last Sunday offered a music spectacle full of flawless mixing of feel-good tracks laced with beaut House and Techno beats. Half Baked worked really hard to create the ultimate raving experience with so many extra special features. This makes HB a party like no other. So thank you HB....until next time!

  

Tania x