ARTISTS: Goldie & Shy FX
NIGHT: Detonate
GENRE: Drum & Bass
HELD: Fridays, monthly
VENUE: The Plug
DATE: 19.10.07
RATING: ♥♥♥♥
SHY FX was the star of the show at The Plug, Matilda Street as Detonate, the monthly drum and bass night returned for a second event.
Veteran DJ Goldie was on hand, as was the up and coming Sabre, and TK. Hip hop DJ Cash Money arrived from Philadelphia to play in Room Two to add to the flavour.
The first 100 tickets sold at £6 in advance, otherwise it was £8 and they were £10 on the door.
The Plug, with its high ceilings and metal infrastructure seemed chilly at first with the air conditioning on full blast. However, as the venue filled up it was certainly welcomed. There was ample space, and the temperature didn’t rise to the clamorous “green house effect” felt at similar events - or maybe that’s part of the drum and bass experience?!
Goldie graced the stage before midnight, spinning a typical hard hitting Metalheadz set, as industrial as The Plug itself. He included “Strictly” the new track by Commix, one of the cutting edge artists on the drum and bass scene at present.
TK followed, consistently keeping the crowd moving, and earning applause for his mix of Jonny L’s “Back to your roots.”Shy FX proved the apex of the night though, and entered at 3am to the sound of helicopter blades, and a clamour of excitement. He simultaneously blended General Levy “Incredible” and Dizzy Rascal’s “Sirens”, before setting-off into a galloping rhythm.
Shy FX pieced together past and present seamlessly, adding many of his own works. His popular track, “Feelings” with its infectious baseline, and the samba inspired “Bambaata” were two favourites with the crowd, as was “Original Nuttah”.
The only grumbles about The Plug were the drinks prices. Pints of Castlemaine and Becks were £2.50, but Stella was £3.00. A bottle of Smirnoff Ice would set you back £3.20. Vodka and coke was £2.20 and £4.10 for a single and double respectively.
After consuming these drinks there was the tricky task of finding the toilets, which meant either picking your way through the heaving dance floor, or a lengthy detour around it.
Thirdly, the dance floor became stickier and stickier as time went on. When Sabre stepped up to the fore at 4am, many people were beginning to leave, presumably exhausted from stomping around in the treacle-like substance.
However, nit-picking aside, this did not dampen a thoroughly enjoyable event.
Next month Detonate and The Plug host Bristol based DJ and producer TC, Bryan G and DJ Vadim on Friday 16th November. Tickets are £8 in advance, available from The Plug Box Office, Jack’s Records and Forever Changes. Check out websites www.detonate1.co.uk and www.theplug.com
Artists websites:
By Maxwell Kusi-Obodum
