Fantazia - Showtime - 27/01/07 - Review 10 M8 Magazine

Featuring N-Joi, Bass Generator, Ultrasonic, Sharkey, Frankie Bones & Lenny Dee, Jon Pleased Wimmin, Graeme Park and many many more.

The first event of 2007 was sure to be a cracker as Fantazia Showtime arrived at Braehead arena. The weather may not have been the best but that didn¹t stop 6,500 people making their way to party hard to some of the legends of dance music. Saturday afternoon shoppers at Braehead were sure to see some strange sights as they left the shopping centre, bus loads of clubbers were arriving by the minute and certainly weren¹t quiet about it!

With the main arena being sponsored by M8 and the full Fantazia laser light show, it was going to be a night to remember. M8 arrives in tow with it's troop of ever fabulous dancers ready to strut their stuff in front of the baying crowd. The mayhem backstage is almost as mad as the mayhem in the main arena, as feather boas and glitter cover the floor. As HTID front man Hixxy takes to the stage first in the main arena we can hear the crowd substantially warming up their vocal cords.

It may have been freezing outside but the queues to the HTID tent did not let up all night. Even with the extra 30 ft added since last time, people still filled the tent up to the brim as Vibes & Live Lee, MC Storm, Sharkey & DJ Smurf to name a few, had the tent bouncing all night. The heat from the tent could be seen as steam rose from within, and people emerged dripping with sweat. Just the way hardcore intends!

Upstairs from the main arena hosts the Club Classics room, for those who liked their bpm a bit slower.

Colours resident Jon Mancini played alongside house music legends Graeme Park & Jon Pleased Wimmin. The room certainly lived up to it¹s name as you couldn¹t go 5 minutes without hearing one of your favourite old school house tunes to bring the memories flooding back. Face of Fantazia Robbo kept the tunes of yesteryear pumping out right 'til 4 am. It may not have been everybody¹s cup of tea, but you can¹t deny that there¹s nothing like a bit of house music to lift your spirits!

With the main arena in full swing N-Joi proved why ŒAnthem really is an anthem when the crowd joined in with new singer Jade. The M8 dancers made their debut on stage with N-Joi and the people lucky enough to be at the front were treated to some sexy sights.

Special guest DJ Mallorca Lee played out some of the best old school tunes while also MC'ing over his own set, talk about multitasking! New York old school institutes Frankie Bones & Lenny Dee were undoubtedly the act of the night, as they played back2back for nearly 2 hours, playing some of the best techno around. Scottish boys Chill FM (complete with their own body popper) continued on from them, as the crowd begged for more when Sean Mac finished their set with chart topper "Strobelight".

As the night drew to a close the clubbers in their customised outfits started to make their way home, leaving behind a sea of glow sticks and whistles.
This years first Fantazia crowd was definitely the best yet, with the party atmosphere even better than ever before. Does old school and hardcore get any better than this?

Fantazia hopes to return to Braehead arena this September (subject to license) with an even bigger and better night! If you have any suggestions on PA's, DJ's or things you would like to see at this event please do not hesitate to e-mail Fantazia. Who knows, you could be watching your suggestion in 8 months time!

Catherine Ure - 2nd February 2007