When we arrived there was a fairly large queue and from when the doors opened we were in within about half an hour. The majority of the security were cool, especially the guy searching me (another Saturday morning Rug-Rats fan). He cracked a few jokes, but he took my lip balm off me saying that it was a centre rule. Ok, fair enough chuddey (chewing gum) I can understand, but lip balm, come on…. The tabloids would love it, ‘crazed raver attacks crowd in New Years Eve lip balm frenzy!!’.

When we entered the main arena I was quite shocked to see the light show in full swing, not one laser but two (or was it three?). Later on the effect with the smoke was outta this world, laser worshippers you know the score and it isn't 1-0. The main arena was half empty but at 8.45 you can’t really expect anymore. On the decks was the South coasts No 1 Druid. This was a shock to see Druid on so early, but with the line up Fusion was giving, it would be hard to say who should go on first. After Druid it was Dougal and when the MC announced Dougal’s first tune, the crowd went nuts, you could tell he was their fave.

There was also a back room which was playing Happy Hardcore and bouncy Techno. We went to the bar for a drink and were charged £2 for a bottle of water, and £2 for a can of coke. F****** hell! We pay on average £1.90-2.10 for a pint of larger in the pubs, why the f*** charge the same for water. Superdrug sell them for 38p, someone’s taking the piss! It’s not just Fusion, a lot of clubs and other major parties do the same and not just on New Years Eve. Just think how much beer and water cost when you first started drinking in pubs or going to raves/clubs and ask yourselves who’s taking the piss!!

Well, gwapple me gwape nuts, amongst the dense undergrowth of sweaty bodies in the back room we have spotted a rare sight of The Sharkey on the decks, more commonly seen jumping around the stage with a mic in his hand. Sharkey has diversified into other fields and has come a long way since the return of Bash Street to the base, know what I mean John??

Back in the main room DJ Unknown was on the decks and doing it in fine style, the main room was almost as packed as the back room. As you looked at the main stage you could see a giant inflatable open mouth (I didn’t find out it was an inflatable until I fell in), the DJ played from inside the mouth. It was good to see the dancers being appreciated by the crowd even though some of them said there wasn’t enough room at the front of the stage to put down some really outrageous moves, but the crowd didn’t seem to mind. It was time for Unknown to shoot off, but Vinylgroover was late so Sharkey stepped in. He put on his first tune and bang bang went that 909 kick drum. I left the DJ booth like there was fire coming out of my arse and was on the dance floor in a flash doing the tune proud. But he was only on for two tunes (Chris, maybe a whole set next time), even though Vinylgroover was late he made up for it. When I was talking to a few people they said that Vinylgroover's the DJ that’s doing it at the moment. The atmosphere and energy in the main room was quite unbelievable, as Caroline, (one of the dancers) said “It’s one of the best crowds yet and the evening made her New Year”. Nice one!

After chilling for a while I went to the back room where Mr Hyde was on the decks playing some old Hardcore tunes from 90-93, my God it was wicked. All the old dance moves just came back, it was like being back at Shelley Arms for the old N.A.M. nights. Mr Hyde you deserve a main stage slot, the only thing that spoilt the back room was the poor sound system, but when the main one is so loud you can’t really have it both ways – well, rarely in this country anyway. Rise ‘n’ Shine filled in for the absent Slipmatt. The main arena is an indoor tennis centre, and when the green rubbery floor got wet the dye got everywhere and it’s a bugger to get off leather, so be warned!

As per usual the last few hours seemed somewhat of a blur as time goes really fast towards the end of the night. I remember chatting briefly to Clarkee going to the chill out, and the next thing I knew I had sat still, time had carried on and Seduction was in the middle of the final set of the night. Where had the time gone? One thing that was on the flyer that never materialised was the 3D screens. I put this and a few other points to Chris the main behind Fusion and here’s his reply:

“Firstly, on behalf of myself and the Fusion crew we hope everyone had a great night and we wish everyone a happy New Year and a wicked ’96. As far as the 3D screens go there was some sort of power surge and part of the equipment blew up. But it will be sorted in time for the next one, that’s a promise. At the last event we did here we had the floor carpeted, but a lot of people were falling over as the carpet gathered in places, so that made it dangerous. Obviously we’ll have to look into that and maybe try something else on muddy marquee. The cloakroom, security and bars are nothing to do with Fusion, I personally asked the people in charge to reduce the price, but they were adamant. So, it’s either £2 a drink or don’t have a party”.

I would like to wish you all a happy New Year and leave you with a little thought! ‘You are what you think. All that arises with your thoughts and your thoughts you create the world’. Think long and hard and ’96 is yours for the making.