Quest
The Homecoming
Palomas
Wolverhampton
Easter Sunday 19th April 2025

After 30 years Quest returned back to its original home in Wolverhampton at the infamous Palomas, Broad Street to present 'The Homecoming'. To mark this occasion Quest assembled a number of the original artists that performed on their opening night from September 1991, added with a number of Quest favourites.

Quest is rooted deep in rave folklore hosting weekly parties which would attract ravers from all over the country to Wolverhampton throughout the early 90's. Coined for showcasing that dark infamous jungle techno sound of the early 90's championed by resident dj's such as Pilgrim, Ratty and Tango to name a few, whilst many of today's rave royalty would play on a regular basis whilst cutting their teeth.

A short drive to Wolverhampton and I was able to find ample parking, headed to the venue which is situated upstairs of the newly refurbish Twelve on Broad Street. Walking to the venue and was surprised there was no queue outside considering that the event had sold out week leading up to the event, guess I missed the rush hour just before 5.

A brief search from security and got my ticket scanned on the door, headed up the infamous staircase and I was warped back in time to the early 90's. A very intimate venue with a low ceiling the party was in full flow and you could feel the heat hit you soon as you entered the dance floor. Made my way through the sea of bodies to the front of the arena, this venue really felt like time had stood still as when speaking with others as hardly anything had changed up here.

A large LED screen lit up the back of the room with plenty of visuals including a tribute to past friends of Quest and fallen soldiers. Towering either side of the box dj were plenty of speaker stacks that was thumping out the hard basslines. Ned Ryder was finishing up with 'D-Livin – Why'. Wolverhampton's and Original Quest residents Pilgrim and Scarlett were up next.

Pilgrim played a late 92 to early 93 set with tracks such as 'Johnny', 'Out Of Order - Right Guard', 'Phuture Assassin – Future sound', 'We Are Hardcore' taking it darkside with belters including 'Nasty Habits - Let's Go', 'Terminator', 'Living in Darkness' vocal mix and 'Further intrigue' which had the crowd stomping !

Lurking in the shadows was my old friend MC Fearless, headed to the bar and had a good catch up. Back to the dance floor and Pilgrim was finishing up with 'Ruffer', next up was the Queen of the Jungle DJ Rap.

Rap went straight into the jungle drum and bass classics dropping 'Ruffest Gunark', Limb by Limb', Intelligent Woman', ' Closer to God' and 'Bricks don't roll'. Fearless was hyping up the crowd working the stage from left to right ensuring no-one was left standing as he ensured that Palomas was bouncing. Rap continued to play 'J Majik – Spaced Invader', 'Prinza - Fire', 'Incredible' before closing off with her very own anthem 'Spiritual Aura'

Following on from Rap was the Topbuzz Legacy set featuring Ratty and Mad P, the lights were lowered as the duo took on a journey through the darkside with a classic 93 set. Ratty took full control of the mixer with his trademark mixing dropping tracks such as 'Project 1 (Rub a dub style)', 'Drumz', 'Xlr8 – Dubplate', 'Gwange – Adrenalin', 'The Execution', 'Drum Programme' and 'Tales from the Darkside'. Mad P had the crowd in full control with the Quest crew chanting his lyrics from start to finish, accompanying Pat was the new generation of 'Quest Dancers' who were flexing their stuff on stage. It looked like Frost was running late so Ratty carried on to play ' Roll on', 'NHS' and closed off with 'Terrorist'.

Better late than never Jumping Jack Frost and Moose arrived and dived straight onto the decks as played 'Got me burning up', 'Origination - Shine on' and 'My own'.Really enjoyed Frost selection as its been sometime since I heard him play a 93 set. Hosting the set was the legendary Moose flowing with the musical vibe. Frost stepped up the tempo with ' Cool down', 'Essence Of Aura – Destiny', 'Atlantis', 'D-Livin Why' before closing off with 'Rolling Energy'.

Taking over from Frost was his partner in crime Bryan G who was accompanied by Birmingham's legendary MC Lenni. Bryan G took the crowd on a journey through 94/5 and starting the proceedings with 'Peshay and Bukem's – 19.5'. Lenni in true style was commanding the stage, he was shortly joined by his original mc partner Bassman, a surprise appearance as he was not advertised on tonight's line-up.

Bassman and Lenni were bouncing off each other throughout the set whilst sharing jokes, keeping that authentic vibe as they both once commanded this stage over 30 years ago. Bryan delivered numerous slammers including, 'A New Dawn', ' Yes Yes', 'Ricky', 'RIP', 'Worries in da Dance' before finishing up with a VIP mix of 'Leviticus'.

It was that time of the night as we entered into the power hour from the original jungle don Micky Finn., a dj / mc partnership that spans over 35years as Lenni rolled for this final hour. Regina Belle bellowed out from the speaker stacks it could only mean that Micky played DJ Taktix timeless anthem 'Its the way'.

This was a traditional set from Micky as he moved onto 'Stand and deliver', 'We enter', 'DJ Zinc - Reach out', 'Abandoned me' and 'Bad Ass' before closing off with 'Dirty Games'. The Quest crowd didn't want to go home and Micky sneaked in an extra tune and finished off the night with the Moving Shadow classic from 'Deep Blue - Helicopter'

Well what an incredible night, the intimacy was something else, I haven't experienced an atmosphere like this in such a long time. Lots of people came out of the wood work, a very mature crowd mixed with a handful of under 30's quite a number of old face's I've not seen in such a long time. Great to see the original Quest promoters back at the helm, returning after many years with a sold out event. What I had noticed was that there was a very diverse crowd here tonight.

Oldskool events can be hit and miss with dj's not sticking to the script Pilgrim , Ratty, Frost kept it pretty much pre 94. Bryan Gee was definitely my favourite set of the night added with the surprise appearance of Bassman. It was great to see Lenni back on stage especially after his recent health scare.

Tonight I finally got to experience what 'A vibe called Quest' was truly about inside Palomas and was not left disappointed.

Massive shouts to Gez, Karl and the Quest crew, Lenni, Fearless, Mad P, Micky Finn, Bryan Gee, Pilgrim, Ratty, Bassman,Scarlett, Ned Ryder, Tania, Rap, Frost, Moose, G Child, Phil Noizee B, Adam and Jo, Justin Cybergroove, Cautious, Boogieman, Brian BK, Sheryl, Nick Smoove, Audrey, Wayne F, Minesh, Uttam, Faye, Gemma, Donny, Adi, Jamie, Astro, Dave Silk, Sharpes, Gregg, also to everyone else whose names I don't' know but faces I recognise.