|
|
Crasher Rules photos & review17th Feb 2007 Thanks to Brian OMahony for these photos.
CRASHER RULES @ GatecrasherOne – Sheffield After thrilling clubland for over a decade with legendary events, award winning albums and dancefloor domination – Crasher Rules had a huge amount to live up to. On approach to GatecrasherOne we catch a glimpse of the illuminated lion logo and begin to feel the energy and anticipation envelop us. A large cue of eager clubbers stretches the length of the building, testament to Crasher’s ability to pull a huge crowd. After a relatively short wait we enter the foyer where the hearty bass ripples through your body, immediately teasing you to dance with its infectious groove. Simon Patterson is warming up the early crowd with some chunky progressive sounds. Displaying his versatility as a dj, he welcomes clubbers onto the dancefloor as he drops some warped chords intertwined with growling basslines. Steering away from obvious musical choices, he builds the atmosphere as clubbers keen to get on the main dancefloor, start to gyrate as the Crasher cathedral reverberates. As with any Crasher event the décor and production are of the highest order. The electric blue uv lighting reflects off the enormous glitter balls and red shimmering lions, which hang alongside digital L.E.D banners. As Matt Hardwick takes to the turntables the main dance-floor fills, as atmospheric effects begin to swirl amongst a rising rhythm. Needing little introduction, Matt has established himself as one of the world’s finest djs. From set building to peak pleasing, he has progressed to the top with Gatecrasher, becoming a legend in his own right. A master at reading the crowd, he begins to work in some tried and tested cuts including the bliss Aly & Fila rework of ‘Tears of Hope’ by Deems and the epic David West remix of Headstrong - ‘The Truth’. As his set develops Hardwick mixes up a melodic selection of trademark trance, forming one hell of a seductive ride. A vibrant mix of subtle strings and warm synths, layered over a luscious musical landscape. The dancefloor now a cauldron of dancing clubbers, as the strobes and lasers form a kaleidoscope, beginning to spray their neon colours amongst the descending mist. As Hardwick nears the end of his set he drops Above & Beyond’s – ‘Good For Me’ to rapturous applause. The heartfelt tones and sublime female vocal oozed through every pore leaving the crowd begging for more! Next up was Mauro Picotto, the lizard man who has become a Crasher favourite over the years. With so many classic Picotto productions he was asked to perform a Past, Present and Future set. Starting off with some funky techno the acidic stabs are sliced through by edgy, warbling bass lines. Teasing the crowd with unknown future floor fillers he builds the tempo, knowing his classic trance cuts are going to cause pandemonium. As the distinctive chords of ‘Verdi’ rip through the club he takes it to a new level, his lizard man grin widens and the crowd welcome his Crasher classics including Iguana and the anthemic- Lizard. By the time he drops Komodo (Save a Soul) he has the crowd eating out of the palm of his hand. Considered one of the classics of all time, the crowd sing a long to the chorus, producing one of those Crasher moments that will never be forgotten. Dance filled devotion becomes floating emotion as a shiver shoots through your spine. Ending his set with the frenetic ‘Pulsar’, the atmosphere is effervescing as Randy Katana steps up to the decks. A debut set for the dutchman, he proceeds to work the masses into a frenzy with his tribal tech and pounding basslines. Selecting an arsenal of toxic tuneage, the driving and kick led beats of ‘Play it Louder’ and ‘Plastic Fantastic’ sounded bone shaking over the crisp Crasher soundsystem. The lasers splinter a spectrum of colour across the feverish crowd. Dancers skip to the techy tempo on the raised podiums at either side of the stage. Pyrotechnics and strobes spit sparks in the air, cutting through the fog from the smoke machines as the lions den enters the twilight zone. Following Katana was another Crasher debut from a dj who’s productions have been thrashed throughout clubland. Marcel Woods opens with his fierce new track ‘Don’t tar me with the Same Brush’ a blistering and dark cut that set the precedence for his industrial set. A true pioneer of the tech-trance sound, his deep and dirty rolling bass lines, coupled with exhilarating melodic breakdowns are lapped up by the Crasher faithful. As the epic notes of ‘Advanced’ and ‘Cherry Blossom’ course through the speakers, he continues to mesmerise the masses with his signature sound. A rhythm and groove that drives with the beat, percussive crescendos that turn up the heat. After a marked absence, you could feel the anticipation rising at the return of Scott Bond to his spiritual home of Gatecrasher. The phenomenon he co-founded and guided to global domination, he has firmly established himself as one of the world leading djs and most respected residents. Stamping his authority on the night he cranked Crasher into overdrive with his trademark Bondy sound. Thunderous basslines give way to enchanting and cinematic breakdowns as the crowd are compelled to dance. Clearly enjoying his return to the Crasher booth, Bond drops classics from Cygnus X, Gouryella and Ayla. Using his legendary ability to mix up an anthemic storm, he weathers the crowd with wave after wave of pulsing trance. As he drops the sublime ‘Love Stimulation’ by Humate the crowd raise their arms aloft in an attempt to capture some of the magic cast from the speakers. Highlights of Bond’s set also included remixes of ‘Airwave’ and ‘Children’ from man of the moment Sean Tyas who is due for his debut at Gatecrasher in March. As 6am struck the dancefloor was still packed and nobody wanted to go home. Neither did Bondy and he continued to play till 6.30 dropping System F – Out of the Blue, as the Crasher faithful lapped up his return. Ending with a track that has become synonymous with the Crasher crowd – ‘Jorio-Remember Me’, the club was dripping with emotion as they welcomed home their resident and founder, Mr Scott Bond. As the name of the night suggested – Crasher will always rule if nights like this are anything to go by. Words: Liam Postlethwaite |
