Devotion - New Year 95/96 Review

New Year’s Eve is a big night in any devoted partygoers diary, and this year the South West had an even bigger treat in store. A new organisation, a new venue, and New Year all rolled into one, and coupled with extensive advertising using everything available including tapes it was no wonder that many outlets were reporting such high sales for this event. It would be misleading to say however, that Devotion are a ‘totally’ new organisation.

These guys have been involved in the scene for a long time, staging events such as Perception in the early nineties, and a stint in Australia, hence why tonight was to be the ‘Return of a Legend’. I therefore felt a little nostalgic as I donned my “glad rags” and dancing shoes, I only hoped they can recreate the vibe experienced at their earlier parties. Unfortunately, the evening began with a bit of a nightmare. You would think that Cardiff International Arena would be easy to find. This was true for train and coach travellers, however for those that chose to drive, I think that most would agree when I say some signs would have been handy!!

Don’t get me wrong I’m sure that map reading could turn out to be a very fulfilling hobby, but as we drove around Cardiff’s one way system for the 5th time I was beginning to get a tad pissed off. On arrival there was a long queue, still the surrounding pubs seemed to benefit from this, in fact they probably wondered what the hell had hit them as people sought shelter from the cold. Once inside the first thing I noticed was CLEAN!! AND CARPETS!! It almost looked too posh to dance in, although this thought went straight out of my head as I walked in to the main arena ( The Planetarium).

This room could only be described as awesome – it was huge, easily twice the size of the Sanctuary. There was a large stage at the back with a screen at the side, and suspended from the ceiling was a model of a BS2 bomber. The lights and the lasers looked incredible, and although the arena wasn’t yet full there was definitely an atmosphere. Due to our magical mystery tour earlier, we had missed DJs Brisk and Slipmatt, but Dougal’s “Happier than a bag of happy things” set more than made up for this. There were two bars on each side of the arena, and a balcony around the top, which the fortunate few (who managed to get hold of VIP suites) had access to. As I queued to put my coat in the cloakroom, I couldn’t believe how well organised it all seemed.

There were security personnel everywhere who were only too happy to help, and the cloakroom would put any other to shame. They provided bags so that you could put as many coats in it as you liked. This not only meant that the queue moved quicker, but you also knew your stuff was safe. Why hasn’t anyone thought of this before? Now time to inspect the other areas. It was at this point that my may reading skills could have been useful again. If only I had my map and compass! This place was like a maze, and it was only after coming to a number of dead ends and begging security for clues that we eventually found ‘The Temple’. This room presented by the almighty Bristol Exposure, was dedicated to all the Jungle Junkies.

I had the pleasure of witnessing DJ’s SS and Ellis Dee who were both outstanding, before stocking up with supplies from yet another bar. Next was the House of Fun and the music was on a mellower tip, but without MC’s it was difficult to know who was on and when. This area presented by Club Sound magazine, seemed the smallest of them all, and was full to the brim already with people dancing to House, old and new. On in to the Aquarium (The Eternal crew) and what a contrast to the previous room. I expected the music to be quite Trancey, but we walked in on a crazy Tekno set “Hard As You Like”. The lack of decoration in these arenas was a bit disappointing, considering it was New Year’s Eve, there were no added extras, no backdrops, no lasers etc. Although the music was excellent in all three, it felt like something was missing.

Having become fully qualified in orienteering, I was ready to venture downstairs. Scorpio was on the decks and what a set. He was supposed to be playing back to back with the Producer, although his accomplice had not turned up, it didn’t prevent him from reducing everyone to a blithering mess, with his bangin’ up yer arse Tekno. Kenny Ken was next, playing a superb Jungle set. Some people complained that there should have been no Drum and Bass downstairs, as it was available all night in the Temple, but overall most people were pleased that they didn’t have to navigate their way upstairs all the time to hear this style. The main arena was now full, holding around 6,500 bods.

My hat goes off to the organisers who could’ve packed in another 3/4000 people, but chose not to in the interest of comfort and safety. What this resulted in was a rammed dancefloor for those in search of a vibe, but the outskirts provided asylum for those in need of a breather! Having lost all our mates, and with all these people we had a formidable task ahead of us. The other arenas were rammed and this caused chaos as security prevented people from going upstairs. Long queues formed which put other people from going to the other rooms and also prevented people from buying drinks as waiting time at the bars became unbearable.

All this aside we eventually managed to locate everyone (thankfully before midnight) and we boogied out way out of 1996 in the main arena. Robbie Dee was on the mic and Easygroove was on the decks, taking us into 1997 with Jungle, Happy and Techno all in one set, absolutely brilliant. The lasers spelt out Happy New Year, but where was the surprise advertised on the flyer? A bee-line was made for the front to ensure that nothing was missed. It now became obvious whey our ears were ringing. The sound system was LOUD, so loud in fact that the speakers had to be placed two metres back from the crowd to prevent serious aural damage. The stage entertainment was being provided by Children of the Bass. I’ve seen these lads dancing at many an event, and they really are totally insane! I didn’t realise however, that they are also specialised in stage diving (yer we say you!).

Disappointed that there were no party poppers or balloons, we headed for the other arenas, as the stairs had now cleared. The Krypton Factor would have been a doddle compared with finding the room you wanted, at least without going through every other room first, and so on. The Eternal Crew’s room was definitely supplying a large dose of sound Crack for those who wanted things a little more up-Tempo. Maestros who stood out on the night in this room were their own DJ Fugitive, Wales’ No. 1 Jungle DJ Active and top new comer Webley with his Rude MC. The House area seemed to be content to do its things all night, but I found it too small to really get into into the vibe.

The most outstanding of the smaller arenas had to be Bristol Exposures ‘Temple’, there were certainly a large number of followers, as this place was wall to wall all night, combine that with the luxury of a carpeted floor and you have the recipe for a bastard hot room. The heat in here was only overlooked by the fact that the music was so ace, with especially don sets from Darren J, Roni Size and Dazee, with the superb vocal talents of MC Moose, and the world’s number 1 Joe Peng. Back downstairs and the effects of the alcohol (yeah right!!) were setting in.

After staggering around to sets by Nicky Blackmarket, Juice (Gary Stockmarket!) and Mastervibe. Clarkee’s set was out of this world and by the end of it my head felt like it should be served with a portion of bangers and onion gravy. What happened to the time I do not know, but before we knew it Lomas was playing the last set accompanied by MCs Shocker and Kipper. I’ve never heard these guys before but they are definitely ones to watch out for in 1997. All that I can say is what a night. Congratulations to Devotion for pulling it off, especially with so much competition. It is definitely a party I will remember, even though there could have been a little more emphasis on the fact that it was New Year’s Eve!