Fantazia - Showtime - 27/01/07 - Review 1

Arrived about 8pm to the sights of a massive queue - freezing as well, but it didn't take too long to get in.

Usual paranoia during the sniffy dogs - even though I was clean!!

Got settled and just caught the tail end of Stu Allen's set (I think) which was a bummer as I was looking forward to hearing him play out. Next part I remember was "Bizarre Inc". Have to disagree with Charlie on this one as I was disappointed - getting Angie Brown to sing over the top of a backing tape was below par IMO. She even did a couple of songs not even written by Inc..... Also, was hoping to hear "Such a Feeling" and "Plutonic", but nae joy.

Up to the forum meet where we stayed for a bit, had a wee blether and back downstairs. My recollection is that Altern-8 were on. Great set of classics played, pretty much their Old Skool Euphoria CD compilation though, but crowd pleasers nonetheless. Robbie I.E. seemed to be enjoying that part of the night They played Johnny L - Hurt You so which was a bonus for me as I love that track!

N-Joi next on the bill and they (as always) never fail to please. Why oh why were they on so early? Deserved a more peak time slot. Great set, played live and had the place jumping - superb.

Mallorca Lee on next (I think) - *weird, even though I was on the Red Bull's only last night, I still have a a fuzzy recollection of the order of things.....* Lasers switched on and although not his biggest fan, had to appreciate the way he brought the crowd up and had the place torn apart - well done mate.

Next - Hmmmmm.....Q - Tex??? Didn't watch them and had a wee wander instead and smoked a few fags outside as a substitute (yes Dutchy - Q-Tex made me smoke again!!!)

Back inside and on the seats at the back of the arena watching the madness unfold as Bass Generator tore the place up. As you will know, not his biggest fan (musically), but he is a Scotland veteran and knows exactly what the punters north of the border want. Place was certainly peaking at this point. Had a maddy sit next to me (not you Dawson!), and took a minute or so to realise that it was Jamhay from the forum - he was doing his best to capture the event on camera, and I reckon he got some wicked footage - get it uploaded Jamhay!). At this point we also saw a wee radge push a boy over the seats - the guys landed about 3 or 4 rows down from where he was dancing and was understandably pissed off. The boy that done it was a wee Ned, and was with a about 4 growling mates who were looking for a box IMO.....

Moving on, Ultrasonic on next, and you guessed it - outside for more smokes and a blether!! They seemed to carry on where Bass Generator left and the crowd seemed to be into it big time.

Back on the seats and at a new spot (right of the stage as you are looking at it - middle of arena). Lenny Dee and Frankie Bones up next and was the highlight of all the 3 Fantazia's of the past year hands down. A wicked set of obscure hardcore techno from back in the day (or was it? - the sounds were old skool, but some of the production on the tracks would suggest re-works). Blew me away, and I could not believe the amount of punters leaving during this set - it was proper brain damage, hard as fuck sounds, but obviously not of the required inflated bpm that the Scots love.

During this part of the night I also saw a wonderful thing. Girl and guy in their late teens/early 20's just to the side of us on the seats. Could tell a mile away that this was their first rave and probably their first foray into recreationals. Not to sure of what they were doing, looking around, trying to copy folks dance moves, smiling like Cheshire cats. Half way through The Bones and Dee set, the girl just stands up and loses it proper style, music taking over, body in perfect time to the beat, smile as wide as the Clyde - took me back to my early rave days and I was truly envious, knowing that life for her will never be the same again from that night onwards. Wicked to watch, and it also helped that she was a cutey too

The old man in me said it was time to go, and Dawson and I headed off to the car - Dee and Bones had left a great impression on us (as did N-Joi), and I can't wait to hear these sets on the CD's.

Thanks Fantazia for another wicked night.

by Pleasurehead (forum Member)

Bad Points:
1) "Bizzarre Inc" Live PA - More like Angie Brown singing over a backing track - poor show....... Hope you got your money back Fantazia.

2) A fair few "growlers" in the place last night - saw one wee fud push a guy over the seats (quite high up to) for no reason... The boys clear about 3 rows before landed aswell......

3) Saw a few sair faces being taken out too - must have been a few scraps last night

4) Ultrasonic & Q-Tex - still big draws for the Scotland crowd, but were pish (what I heard of them).

5) Scotland's mass exodus during the Lenny Dee and Frankie Bones set - shame on you.

Good Points
1) LASERS!!!!!!! - Class, and really added something to the night.

2) N-Joi - Great PA. Played live at least and their set was spot on.

3) Lenny Dee and Frankie Bones. What a set. Best I've heard at any of the 3 Fantazia's in Scotland - did their own thing and played a wonderful hardcore techno set. Can't wait to buy that one.

4) Girls to guys ratio - Seemed to be more girlies on show last night - can't beat a bit of eye candy to watch when the music is rank!

5) Altern-8: Good set of classics, just rolled out pretty much their playlist from the Old Skool Euphoria cd they released a few years back. No fillers, just anthems. Played "Johnny L, Hurt You So", which is one one my faves, so cheers guys!

6) Crowd reaction to Bass Generator and Mallorca Lee's sets - they had the place rocking big time.


Pleasurehead