Hardcore Appreciation Society
12^th Birthday
Unit Nine
Milton Keynes
Saturday 7^th Feb 2026

After the success of last years sell-out event the HAS crew returned back to Unit Nine in Milton Keynes with a colossus line-up as they celebrated their 12^th birthday in style. For those that haven’t been before HAS is a night that showcasing UK hardcore classics from 2000 to 2014.

Just like last years event this was another roadblock with no tickets available on the door, Milton Keynes rich in rave history having started my own rave journey at the legendary Sanctuary over 25 years ago, I’m definitely no stranger to this city!

Arrived in Wolverton shortly before 10pm after parking up I met up with some old friends and joined the fast moving queue, following a brief search from security I headed straight into the venue. The rave was already in full swing as kicking off tonight from the South Coast was the GEOS crew featuring Robbo and MC Marley, the doors had only been opened for an hour and the dance floor was pretty much packed. The Geos crew had the party in full swing playing classics such as ‘U r my phantasy’,‘Feel like I feel’ and ‘I see the light’.

As you entered the dance floor you could feel the bass rumble as the sound system was fully cranked up. The lighting was pretty impressive as the arena was constantly being illuminated with a number of colourful lasers from the ever present Stickman. Marley was doing what he does best hyping up the crowd whilst Robbo laid down a few of Marley’s vocal tracks including ‘Look at all the ravers’, ‘Power & the glory’, ‘Gonna take you high’ before closing off with ‘Lift me up’ remix.

Stepping up next was Marc Smith alongside MC’s Wotsee and Scottie B, looked like Scott Brown was running a little late caught up in a number of diversions surrounding the venue. Marc Smith got things rolling with a some classics from his Notorious vinyl imprint, Wotsee and Scotti B were on mic duties bouncing off each other and kept things under control on stage. Scott Brown finally arrived and the Scottish duo went in hard and bouncy, throwing in a number of Evolution bangers including ‘Neck Breaker’, ‘Only your love’ and ‘Rock you softly’

Rolling back the years to the golden era of UK Hardcore was the Raver Baby Crew featuring Hixxy, Breeze and Whizzkid. This was an awesome set featuring plenty of the Raver Baby classics including ‘Come running’, ‘In and out of love’, ‘Everytime we Touch’ and ‘Crazy love’.

Whizzkid rocked the stage, bouncing from left to right ensuring the crowd were involved as the ravers were reciting his lyrics back him throughout this set. The Raver Baby trio ensured we had a good dose of hardcore karaoke especially when ‘Sure feels good’ was dropped. Hixxy and Breeze continued to lay down the classics including the chart topping ‘Your shining’ along with ‘ Love comes’ and ‘Girlfriend’ before closing off with the ultimate rave classic from N-Trance ‘Set u free’.

Taking over from the Raver Baby crew was Joey Riot, the man from Lethal Theory upped the tempo with a powerstomp set featuring classics from 2010 onwards. Static accompanied Joey for this set commanding the stage throughout. There was quite a number of tracks that I didn’t recognise though he did drop a few powerstomp remixes including the immortal Paul Elstak classic ‘Rainbow in the Sky’ along with ‘Rock that Party’ and ‘Raveheart’. Mid way through his set Joey got on the stage and rocked the mic briefly being the true entertainer that he is!

Penultimate set of the night came from two of the Hardcore godfathers Sy and Seduction, a proper bouncy set from the legendary duo ensure no one was left standing still. Plenty of classics from both their Quosh and Maximum Impact labels, with tracks such as ‘In & Out Of Love’, ‘Pacman’ and ‘Bring me round to love’.

HAS’s very own MC Frikshon was doing the mic duties and accompanied by Stickman who was lighting up the crowd as he shone his lasers into the crowd which illuminated Unit Nine. In true Sy fashion he was scratching on the turntables throughout whilst Seduction laid down the slammers including ‘Sunlight’, ‘Free your mind’, ‘Ayla’ remix before closing the set with the rave anthem ‘Raving I’m Raving’.

Well it was time for me to head off home, once again another great party from the HAS crew, production was what is expected at a hardcore rave with lots plenty of lights and lasers, I do think they could utilise the projections with with some mind bending visuals / animations.

DJ’s were on point tonight playing classics from the Hardcore era but it was the Raver Baby set from Hixxy, Breeze and Whizzkid that really stood out for me. Littered with all the hardcore gems from the golden era of UK hardcore taking me back to the good times at Air in Birmingham, it was kinda short-lived a 90min back to special would have been ideal. What I felt was missing a classic 90’s happy hardcore set, that for me was the icing on the cake at last years event, similar to those morning glory sets of yesteryear.

Luckily HAS is on during the cooler months of the year as it does get pretty hot at times especially being a full house, the atmosphere was fantastic a very friendly and up for it vibe that you can only find at a Hardcore rave.

Respects to Delite and the HAS crew, Whizzkid, Hixxy, Breeze, Marley, Sy, Scott Brown, Wotsee, Joey Riot, Seduction, Marc Smith, GEOS crew, Jess Sweetheart, Michelle Wizzfish and Steph, Justin Dlyte, Scottie Bee, Frikshon, Cruze, Kiera, Linda, Jason Savage, Charlie and James, Sticky, Gabbatron, Wookie, Mike Vapour, JB-C, also to everyone else whose names I don't' know but faces I recognise.