Raveology
4TH Birthday and Award winners Party
Q Club
Birmingham
Saturday 26th April 2008

Raveology celebrated their 4th Birthday tonight at the legendary Q Club Birmingham, not only was this their 4th Birthday but also the Award Winner’s party.

The line-up for the main arena featured the cream of the crop from the drum and bass world as many of the winners from the national drum and bass awards and high achievers were on show tonight, along with a few special guests too. To help Raveology celebrate their birthday Innovation, Liquid V and a few other guests where here tonight to host the various arenas inside of the Q club.

I arrived at the Q club later than usual and there was no queue on the door, after a brief search from the security team, I headed straight upstairs and into the main arena.

With my late arrival I was just in time to catch drum and bass’s number one DJ the executioner Andy C. I was rather impressed with the production inside the main arena as the ceiling had numerous inflatables along with a number of murals. On the Main stage above the DJ booth was located two massive projector screens added with a massive lighting rig and a oldskool green laser

What blew me away was the powerful DSF sound system that was installed in the main arena. There were numerous bass bins that littered under the front stage along with a number of high raised speaker stacks on the stage itself.

Andy C opened up his set with ‘Driver’ and proceeded to play ‘Slew dem’, ‘Tombraider’, ‘Talk to frank’ and ‘Nightflight’. I was rather pleased that Andy C was joined by the AWOL legend MC GQ. Andy C and GQ are one of my favourite DJ and MC partnerships, the pair always work extremely well together as they compliment each other. GQ rocked the crowd whilst hosting the set with his deep and powerful voice that reverberated inside the main hall of the mighty Q club.

Andy C continued to play ‘Shining’, ‘Babylon’, ‘Horn track ‘ and ‘Low and dirty’ whilst carrying out a number of teases and double drops proving why he was voted number one before closing off with ‘ Still in love’.

Stepping up next was the Mercury prize winning Roni Size, who was joined by the double award winning MC Skibadee. It felt kind of weird having Skibadee mcing for Roni Size as when you think of Roni Size you tend to think of MC Dynamite, never the less Skibadee did great job.

Roni Size has just recently released his new album New Forms 2 and was showcasing a number of tracks from this new album tonight. Skibadee was hyping up the crowd with his lyrics and crazy animal noises. Roni threw in a number of crowd favourites for good measure as he was dropping ‘Dirty Beats’, ‘Pull it up’, ‘Who’ and ‘Slowburn’.

After Roni Size was the turn of Playaz head honcho and drum and bass legend DJ Hype. Hype’s set featured lots and I mean lots of forthcoming material from many of his labels. Currently there is a massive array of talent on Playaz and Ganja at the moment including Birmingham’s very own Hazard alongside Taxman, Original sin and G-Dub to name a few. Hype started his set with ‘Forever’ and carried onto playing ‘Killers don’t die’, ‘Decibel’.

2008 best breakthrough MC Herbzie was doing the mic duties before being joined by Eksman. Eksman was given a rapturous welcome from the crowd, the new breed where sparring off each throughout the set ensuring that the crowd where kept on their toes throughout this set. Hype continued to play ‘Disco dodo’, ‘Indian summer, ‘Hand grenade’ and ‘Herbsmoke’ remixes.

From one Playa to another as it was the turn of Birmingham’s very own DJ Hazard. Hazard tore the roof down with his tune selection which was spot on, giving his home crowd what they wanted. Hazard played a number of tunes from the forthcoming Machette Bass Ep as he dropped ‘Machette’, ‘Killers don’t die’, and ‘Cowards beware’.

Oldskool winners Ragga Tins did the mic duties for this set keeping the crowd entertained with their patois style whilst rolling in time with each other. Hazard carried onto to lay down the slammers with a number of grimey tracks including ‘Fools’, ‘Ho bass’ and ‘Western riddem’

Penultimate set of the night came from BBC Radio One’s award wining DJ Fabio. Fabio was accompanied by Birmingham’s MC Bassman, Fabio flipped the switch as he rolled with deep liquid set. Bassman entertained his home crowd with his dirty and grimy lyrics which the crowd where loving whilst giving the finger salute.

For the latter part of his set Fabio rolled out with a few crowd favourites including ‘Disco dodo’, ‘Killers don’t die’, ‘ It’s jazzy’ and ‘Renegade snares’ before closing his set with closing his set with the monster track from Chase and Status ‘Informer – Judgement’.

Well what a night from the Raveology crew bringing the best names in drum and bass under one roof to commemorate those who had achieved highly at the recent drum and bass awards.

The main arena was busy throughout the night with everyone filling every space available on the dancefloor and along the balconies. There was a massive improvement regardings the production compared to that of December event at the Q club, Particually the sound system. I was impressed with the DSF sound system which was booming throughout the evening, you could feel the bass in the middle of the dancefloor.

The artists where spot on tonight particularly enjoyed Andy C’s set especially with the addition of GQ and Hazard with his set riddled with dub plates! Atmosphere was spot with everyone up for it all night helping Raveology celebrating their 4th Birthday tonight!!

Massive Shouts to Magika, Jo, Lenni, Hazard, Eksman, Bassman Andy C, GQ, Baily, Fabio, Herbzie, Benny Page, Tali, Storm, Accapello, Ragga Twins, Longjohn, Nut Cracka Macca, Mr Kid, Bryan G, DJ Sly Gemma, Manny, Sue, Wez, Aaron, Josh, Tom, CKB, Alpha, The Force, Mozz, Ace, Bennikash, Rhymes, Sarah, DJ Dirty, Patti, Reena, Hollie and everyone else whose names I don't' know but faces I recognize.