Innovation b2b Drum and Bass Arena
The Coronet
London
Saturday 5th April 2008

Innovation is one of today’s leading drum and bass promoters with their award wining ‘In the sun’ parties and with Drum and Bass arena having outgrown the Ministry of Sound both of these promoters paired up for the first time ever tonight to bring a massive drum and bass event spread across 4 arenas inside the Coronet Theatre, London.

The Coronet is located close by the Elephant and Castle and is quite easy to locate from the tube station as it’s only a 5 minute walk from there. Seeing as we arrived quite early there was not much of a queue outside, so we headed straight to the main arena and caught the tail end of Modified Motion.

As the coronet is an old theatre there was a massive dance floor space along with a high rise balcony that overlooked the dance floor and onto the main stage. The production on the main stage was amazing with a pair of projector screens and a number of inflatable’s along with a massive lighting rig and a state of the art laser system.

Modified Motion ensured the party was in full swing dropping plenty of party tracks such as ‘Indian summer’, ‘Killers don’t die’ and ‘Scan darker’ which went down well.

Following on from Modified Motion was the turn of Chase and Status, I enjoyed this set from the production duo. There was quite a lot of upfront material being played by these two as they were dropping the like of ‘Brazil’, ‘Machete’, ‘Informer’, ‘Timewarp’ and ‘Bell tune’.

They were joined by IC3 who was keeping the ravers on their toes with his hyperactive style and football talk. Chase and Status where throwing in a number of teases throughout there set with a majority of classics tunes including ‘Valley of the shadows’, ‘Watchin windows’ and ‘Incredible’

Next up was the set I was looking forward to featuring Friction alongside SP MC. Friction and SP MC didn’t disappoint, Friction was using 3 decks to mix on and using the mixer to its full potential whilst showing off his technical prowess behind the wheels of steel.

Friction laid down the slammers as we threw in ‘A bit patchy’, remix, ‘Bambatta’, ‘Night’ remix and ‘Killers don’t die’. SP MC took full advantage of the this massive stage complimenting the music when needed whilst interacting with the crowd. True to form Friction pulled off a number of teases with tracks such as ‘Alien girl’, ‘Phantom Force’, ‘Follow Da Vision’

Up next were DJ Fresh and MC Ivory as they presented ‘Sound weapon’ the sound weapon PA features Fresh armed with his I-Book, drumpads and various state of the art paraphernalia. Ivory hosted this PA and was joined by a there dancer Edge 2.

Fresh was mixing live lots of classic Bad Company tracks and samples were being used including ‘The nine’, ‘Torpedoes’, ‘ Floodlight’ and ‘Mo fire’. MC Ivory and his stage dancer where entertaining the crowd with Ivory was getting the crowd involved like a rock concert at times. Their dancer Edge 2 coming out with some mad dance moves who was dressed in a straight jacket, he reminded me somewhat of Keith Flint from the Prodigy.

After the Sound Weapon PA it was the turn of Charge Records very own Mampi Swift. Mampi rolled out with the beats and took the crowd on a roller coaster journey. Mampi swift played a very hi-octane set with no stopping to breathe as he opened up with ‘Mr Happy’ and double dropped ‘Rah ‘ remix straight into his first mix

Mampi was joined by the UNCZ duo of MC’s Fun and Harry Shotta, this was the first time I’ve seen Harry Shotta and I was very impressed with him and Fun. The pair worked extremely well back to back, working off each other lyrics

Mampi true to form was performing a number of double drops throughout his set whilst laying down the beats as he played ‘ The one’, ‘Batcave’, Timewarp’, ‘Disco dodo’, ‘Bell tune’ and the Hard Leaders classic ‘Massive’

Audio Zoo’s DJ Clipz took over from Mampi Swift lately Clipz has been playing a number of classic drum and tunes in his set and tonight was no expectation as he came out with ‘Buck rodgers’, ‘Body rock’, ‘Never can tell - It’s a trap’ and ‘Quest’

The New breed quartet of Eksman, Fatman D, Evil B and Herbzie took over the stage for this set working sparring off each others lyrics whilst working the crowd into a frenzy. The crowd were reciting their lyrics and chanting Eksman infamous semi automatic lyric.
Not only was Clipz playing oldskool he was also showcasing plenty of stuff forthcoming from Audio Zoo as he included ‘Offline’, ‘Ugly’, ‘Loud and dirty’ and ‘Rats’ in his set.

After Clipz it was the turn of one of the hottest producers in drum and bass at the moment Hazard. A top quality set from the Tru playa with lots of forthcoming material being played such as ‘Western riddem’, ‘Ambush’, ‘Skankers’ and ‘Ho bass’ alogn with pieces from the Machette Bass EP. Shabba D was given a rapturous welcome by the London crowd a firm favourite with the innovation regulars.

Mac II’s Randall was in the house and came down with the rollers playing a very deep set ensuring the sound system inside the coronet was pushed to its limits. Flinty Badman and Demon Rocker were doing the mic duties rocking the crowd with their ragga chat whilst going back to back.

MC Fearless touched down and rocked the party hyping up the crowd as he does naturally with the ravers reciting his infamous lyrics. Randall rolled out the rollers along with a number of party tunes as Randall dropped ‘Slow burn’, ‘Near miss’, ‘Must feel’ and a new remix of the timeless classic ‘Renegade snares’.

After Randall we decided to head back home, I really enjoyed my visit down to London tonight as it has been sometime since I last been down here. The layout of the venue was spot on with it being an old theatre as the balcony over looked the dance floor, the view from was a fantastic sight, definitely worth visiting. Production was spot on too impressed with the main arena stage with the massive lighting rig and lasers along with the sound system!

It’s a shame a few individuals tried to ruin the night though the security where spot on as they were ejected from the premises asap. Other than that it was a great party and the music was spot on. I particularly enjoyed hearing Friction as it has been sometime since I last saw him and was well worth the wait!

Massive shouts to Lloyd, Ollie and the innovation crew, Fearless, Eksman, Friction, IC3, Mampi Swift, Twista, Aaron, Hazard, Escape, Accapello, Rickey, Rhymes, Randall, Lucy, Kirstie and Charlotte Narni, Manny and Emma, Tony Res, SP MC, Ragga Twins, Co-Gee, Shabba, Herbzie, Rhymes, Fun and Harry Shotta, Fresh, Ivory, Hollie and Sippy, Benikash, Grant from Epidemik and everyone else whose names I don't' know but faces I recognize.