Pandemonium - Event Review - Fourth Anniversary

The Fourth Anniversary, The Institute Birmingham

I was invited to the party by the crew, with I think ulterior motives, "H can you bring your photography bit and take a few pictures for us," I was asked!

So down to Club Andromeda I went armed with camera’s, flash and film for a night of sight, sound and dance. I got to the venue at 8pm, parked my car and walked round to the front entrance. I was met at the door by Dawksie and the usual smiling, friendly security staff, who always do a first rate job. The doors had already opened at 7pm and the club was already starting to fill quite quickly, an air of expectation was and could be felt as soon as the club was entered.

It was evident at once that the Pandemonium crew intended to celebrate their fourth anniversary with their usual panache! Nothing had been left untouched, new backdrops, new layout and the laser and lighting show was awesome. The sound system could be felt and was crisp, clear and loud!

The venue is truly superb with a total of 4 dance arenas in the building, including a comfortable chill out room, and a cinema, a VIP. room (with food!) and the balcony which overlooks the forum. The Institute has consequently been voted best nightclub in the Midlands, upon being given a guided tour by Mark, I could see the reason why, we even went up onto the roof and the view of Birmingham by night is quite spectacular.

If you have not yet been to the Venue on a Friday night I urge you to get on down, it’s a very nice place, and not at all moody - as people tend to think of the clubs in Birmingham.

G E Real opened the evenings celebrations playing a blinding set from 7.15-8.30, he set the mood of things to come and had the crowd rocking at once.

He was followed by Pilgrim who carried on the motion and the crowd loved what he was doing, he started as he finished brill! The place was starting to get together now with more and more people pouring in.

The queue outside was non existent due to the efficient entry methods employed so everyone virtually could walk straight in, without too long a wait in the cold.

It was getting warm inside, and that not only relates to the temperature, the atmosphere was electric and when SS got on the Dex it got even hotter! He played to the crowd and it was evident from their reaction that he know what they wanted - so he gave it to them, hard as you like!

I ventured into the Celebration suite to see what was going on in there, DJ Kid all the way from Bonnie Scotland was doing the thing with the Dex, to the obvious pleasure of all inside, I didn’t want to leave but, I had another two rooms to check out before the end of the night. I couldn’t be everywhere at once, although I did manage to hear each and every Jock that played, and they all played excellent sets - Respect to you all.

In take 5 (Hard House, Deep House, Garage, Progressive, up front), call it what you will, was being played. The set up in the place was Ace too, the music was wicked and everyone was enjoying themselves, no moodiness and loads of smiling faces. Everyone we spoke to was having a really good time, from first timers to regulars.

The 7 M.C.’s complemented the music perfectly and kept the crowd buzzing all night. To Lennie, Ranski, Warren G, Chick A Boo, Bassman, Spyder and Patrick. Nuff Respect.

At 10.30ish Ratty took over control of the forum and took everyone to another plane, and as the Venue has no sound restrictions the 30k Martin F2 System with additional bass bins let you know he was definitely taking you on a journey with his wheels of steel! Indoor fireworks, fire eaters/jugglers and breathers were there, professional dancers, pyrotechnics and loads of other attractions too. Donovan Bad Boy Smith put in his appearance to the approval of the crowd. Top Buzz came and took everyone to the Jungle! And Slipmatt gave his faithful followers a few things to shout about, dance to and talk about over the weekend.

The party was a complete success, everyone had a good time and didn’t want the night to end, I can’t remember how many "one mores", were played - quite a few! Next time I go it will be to dance - not photograph - even so I had a wicked time.