This year was really spectacular — better than last year and all years past. The location was perfect. Having the historic building in the middle of town made the event accessible and striking. Amazingly beautiful people, amazing art and amazing music. (Jon James Case from The Body Architects).

Held in the momentous Cape Town City Hall, the contrast between pillars, regal statues and 19th century glamour against a tattoo nation of hipsters, old school bikers, rock bands, Levi jean exhibits and beer was testament to the evolution of humanity and the arts.

Over the last five to seven years there has been this big influx of the type of people getting tattooed. Because of exposure and change in perceptions the acceptability of tattoo has changed from hiding them to showing them off. (Tony Weintraud from Tattoo Tony Creations)

news24.com

Tattooing dates back to more than 50,000 years ago, but the talent at this expo could not have been more au courant. Cutting edge technology and skill was showcased during the week with every artist having exclusive style and expertise.

Fine art should really step down. Tattooing is so real and down to earth and at the same time so much harder because the decisions made involve two people and such permanence. Tattoo art is all about quality. You can’t fake a good tattoo.  (Tony Weintraud from Tattoo Tony Creations)

revolution-daily.com

When asked how Case got involved in tattooing he said that it was the other way around — ‘…tattooing got involved in me’. Artists like Case tattoo because, ‘…there is no room for error. Your marking a body for life, in tattooing such a high level of excellence is striven for as an artist.’

Ranging from religion to rebellion, tattoos have never had universal connotation. French sailors came home with them as proof of exotic travels, ancient Mayans donned them as a sign of courage, showed loyalty in gangs and were a brand of criminality. Today however, getting a tattoo is less about being labelled and more about a decree of internal expression.

chrissaunderssa.blogspot.com

news24.com

The change in tattoo perception was documented in the film Tattoo Nation, shown during the Homeward Bound exhibit which kicked off the weekend. Following the lives of mainstream tattoo pioneers Charlie Cartwright, Jack Rudy and Freddy Negrete, the narrative spoke of their passion and boundary shattering dedication at excelling in the art of tattooing and influencing tattoo culture with each of their unique backgrounds.

@Michael Ellis

If you weren’t getting inked or holding the hand of someone who was, the talent and variety of bands exceeded expectations. Among those bands were local favourites Beach Party Wolftown, Long Time Citizen, The Ratrod Cats and Them Tornados. We spoke to The Ratrod Cats earlier this year, click here for the interview.
All music played complimented the energy driven event and made for a rocking good time.

So great to get back on stage after being cooped up in studio and production for so long. What a night at the Southern Ink Exposure. Thanks to everyone for staying out on a Sunday
(Wolftown)

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Tattoo expo virgin Lauren Ker was impressed by the variety and talent she saw. ‘There was a guy that had only Spiderman villain character tattoos. He was getting this incredibly awesome Doctor Octopus tattoo on his side stomach/hip. It was incredibly cool,’ said Ker.

Those who came to the expo were as diverse as the tattoos showcased. No matter your preference in art and music, it was clear the event was a success. The best part of the week for artist Jon James Case was when he looked up from tattooing a client and saw his dad watching him work. ‘That was pure magic,’ said Case.

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Images via chrissaunderssa.blogspot.com, news24.com, capetowntattooconvention.com, flickr.com, Twitter.com, facebook.com, www.revolution-daily.com ,@Michael Ellis

SYNW, image by Stewart Innes

SYNW, image by Stewart Innes

Arriving just in time to witness psychedelic dark wave rockers Changeling perform the last two songs of their set was fortunate to say the least. Lead singer and, interestingly occasional bassist, Noah Swinney along with band members Cameron Davey (guitar), Gabriel Hope (drums) and Ruby Angelica (synth/backing vocals), managed to let the mind-bending spell of the trance-ey ’60s seep into the barren concert hall with untouched doom-chants over abyssal dream melodies. The hard-hearted looking band was a worthwhile discovery that, although not as punk as a strict definition would demand, definitely did justice to the more laid-back genre that is psychedelic rock.

SYNW, image by Stewart Innes

Beach Party, whose genre description states psychedelic-afro-disco-surf-punk, did a better job at bringing punk’s passion for anarchy to life as lead singer Danny Video gets the crowd to start a serious mosh pit. As a proper punk would, he jumps over the stage barrier to join the moshers, but refutes his newly gained rebel rep later when he apologizes for his crappy beach pop band that just plays punk songs. Be that as it may, the crowd was won over by Video’s humorous stage charm, the band’s natural cheerfulness and surf punk melodies that reminisce of The Jam’s ‘A Town Called Malice’, leading to their set ending with convinced hand claps.

SYNW, image by Stewart Innes

Matthew James (vocals and guitars), Devon Martindale (guitars), Craig McKune (bass) and Jimmy McGregor (drums) of Crossfire Collision took the audience on a journey to greater and heavier shores. Backed by some razzle-dazzle stage lights, they excelled in reviving some US punk with some straightforward Blink 182 rock riffs. A sign was produced by a girl in the crowd, carefully hand-grafted with a biro, that stated ‘I’m Pregnant You Cunt’ to get the young men’s attention. Taking their music seriously, they finished their song effortlessly and with an unabashed demeanour. It being their first time to perform at The Assembly, they gave their audience what they expected to hear: unfussed punk rock.

SYNW, image by Stewart Innes

The much-anticipated The Dollfins, fronted by an Indian-headdress sporting Fuck You, kicked everybody’s punk ass through getting her namesake’s attitude spot on. Along with Bear Trap (bass) and Pussy Slap (drums) they soared through their set with catchy riffs, a rough beer-drinking cuteness and a nostalgic garage punk sound. Although the vocals could have stood out more above the instruments’ kick-ass noise melodies, the foolhardy trio pleased everybody with a heartfelt ‘In Your Head’ or a carefree ‘Friendly’ as well as some song material that they say is yet to be recorded. Their decidedly old-school rawness is very refreshing among an air of often desperate experimentalism. Punk rock til’ you drop!
 

See you next Wednesday? Mr Sakitumi and The Grrrl, FUXDVT (Das Kapital vs Sideshow) and Phaze vs Dynamo will be amongst the dedicated beat generators. Click here for more information. Also, watch out for our upcoming interview with The Dollfins to be posted on onesmallseed.com soon!

images by Stewart Innes, c/o The Assembly

Image: Stewart Innes

We arrived just in time for the psychedelic/dream hip-hop/chill wave duo Christian Tiger School’s set, who seem to be becoming more popular by each performance. Known to create tunes that are more of the beautifully composed and relaxed kind, they shook things up to a jump-around level by infusing some borrowed beats, such as ‘My Girls’ by Animal Collective, in between playing some of the tunes they are acclaimed for. The combination of selected Discotheque-fitting tunes and their own slow-groove melodies earned them a considerate amount of enthusiastic hand claps and we-want-more shouts.

Image: Stewart Innes

Next up was DJ Invizable of Gazelle with a set that exuded a mysterious energy because of the performer’s renowned disguise, of which the most noteworthy element is his shielded face. His expressive stage theatrics and versatile sound repertoire had the Assembly’s spirits running high. Through playing tunes that were reminiscent of seventies disco vibes to more modern beat freakishness, he created a healthily energized club atmosphere. The drama culminated in him jumping over his DJ desk for the last song and hyping the crowd up even more with his keytar and iconic dance moves.

Image: Stewart Innes

It was just the right amount of preparation for Niskerone’s aggressive drum ‘n bass rage that dictated party-goers to jump around as fast as they could. His mixes varied from ‘That G-string Track’ by Munich’s Schlachthofbronx to a gentler Bob Marley vibe that, however, quickly got stirred up and went back to being the riotous rough sound that the internationally known DJ is loved for. At one stage he suggested ‘let’s play something slow,’ which persuaded the crowd to get out their lighters. Yet the romance didn’t last for long, because that’s really not what Discotheque-goers leave the house for. So, back it went to the usual whirlwind of spinning bass-ey beats that got the audience’s hands and feet in the air.

Image: Stewart Innes

This coming Friday – the 26^th October- is the night of Discotheque x Halloween at the Assembly featuring another killer line-up. Guns ‘n’ Lazers, Candice Heyns and Petite Noir will deliver musical tricks and treats. For more information go to www.theassembly.co.za or visit the Facebook event page: http://www.facebook.com/events/164071857067450/. Until then watch out for our interview with Christian Tiger School to be released this week!

Words: Christine Hogg
Images: Stewart Innes

For more pictures go to www.assembly.co.za

Saturday, October 13^th was the night of the YOH! Early Halloween party, which featured, amongst other things, a screening of William Friedkin’s The Exorcist (1973), performances by Beatenberg, Beach Party and the Exorsistahs as well as very little light. We attended the dark parade and felt homely between the presence of spider webs, vampires and murderous masks. But there was more to it than the simple acceptance by nightly creatures, so please, read on.

Image: Charlotte Tinnion

A climb up some scruffy stairs to a gloomy nightclub was what it took to enter the world of pre-halloween mysteries. Once admission was granted by a robed vampire, we paced to acquire the elixir of nocturnal pleasure amongst the comfort of masked party heads, fake spider webs and creepy projected visuals just before Beatenberg started to play. Although, counter to the event description, no massacres were witnessed, it transpired that the dark and dingy aura of Hectic on Hope served as the perfect façade for the intermingling of macabre pretenses and the usual Evol-going cool cats’ impeccable sense of style.

Image: Charlotte Tinnion

Scream masks, Indian feather headdresses and faux fur beauties gathered alike to indulge in Beatenberg’s high-school-dance-a-la-Hollywood-teen-movie’s sound. Being a self-proclaimed South African pop band, they led us through their set with dreamy melodies that were interspersed by steady-paced drumbeats that miraculously managed to be light-hearted without being corny. Lead singer Matthew Field’s soft boyband-esque voice made for the perfect accompaniment to their unabashed swagger that made it hard to ascertain just how seriously the three musicians take themselves. Be that as it may, the lovers of the sombre night were so satisfied by the contrasting lightness of Beatenberg’s sound that they begged for more. Although Field claimed that his ear was hurting, the band struck up another tune.

 
After being bewildered by the distortion of a realistic place-on-the-timeline perception through the combination of seventies disco music and funky disguises, Beach Party was up next. “This song goes out to Beatenberg, they’re awesome,” proclaimed Danny Video before he kicked off the set. Sporting a The Who fan t-shirt, he fittingly pulled off the sound of bygone British pop rock to the delight of the audience. Party-goers were swaying back and forth as the band-members managed subtle up-and-down jumps while still being in command of their instruments. And at times, Video would leave the stage to caress audience members’ heads or mess with their beers, which added to the carefree rock ‘n’ roll attitude he was taking advantage of. Eventually, the rough teen-punk vocals over playful surf-rock melodies and a self-aware approach convinced a won-over crowd to moshpit.

Image: Charlotte Tinnion

Image: Johann Botha

The room was filled with a content air and an anticipating audience was thus ready to receive the Exorsistahs with their first live performance of their track ‘You Lie You Die’. Known for a mysterious coolness that they exude in the music video to the song, the down-toned rapper duo entertained with a similar untouched demeanour before going back to DJing as usual.
 

 
A confident musical self-insight, fearlessness of being categorized and spooky aesthetics were what made this evening a memorable one. Satisfied by a healthy mix of camouflage, it became time for the creatures of the night to wander off and remain resourceful until the next YOH! party hits town.
 
Words: Christine Hogg
Images: Charlotte Tinnion, Johann Botha

Image: Ian Skene

“None is so famous than the example of portraits depicting Queen Victoria I, who would have any portrait that she did not like promptly burnt; right-click remove tag much?” states the pamphlet of The Stalked by Alice Toich, which opened on 21 September at 177 Long Street. The queen’s vanity was one of the reasons Toich decided to use oil paint to connect our modern day Facebook pride to the past. With that choice made, she was able to create flattering portraits of 10 aesthetically pleasing profile pictures of people she tracked down online. There had to be some rules though: none of the subjects were allowed to be her Facebook friends and she wasn’t allowed to have access to further information about them. The next challenge was to get the people who were spied on to attend the exhibition. It was important to Toich that she saw their reaction and the project was an interactive social experiment because, she explains,

art can’t be something that can only live on walls, it has to live in society.

Image: Ian Skene

Six subjects attended the exhibition as a result of a mutual friend’s word-of-mouth recommendation. Overthrown by astonishment, they went through three successive emotions said Toich, “creeped out while trying not to show it, contemplative while trying to wrap their heads around the idea and eventually appreciative for being chosen”.

Just a few days before the exhibition Facebook messages were sent out to the rest, yet the confused stalker victims didn’t take them seriously and were quick to label them spam. Clinton J. Campbell was one of them and thus didn’t attend the exhibition at first. Interestingly, his friends happened to be at the opening and found their buddy’s face spread across a pompous canvas on an exhibition wall. A wave of tweets and texts overwhelmed Campbell and convinced him to come and inquire into The Stalked. “When he arrived the first thing he said was: I’m so sorry I didn’t reply to your message, I didn’t know what it was,” explains Toich.

Image: Ian Skene

The aim was to expose the constructed nature of, as Toich puts it, “an edited life” rather than uncovering pretentiousness. “I Facebook stalk, I change my profiles, I do all of that,” she declares. And she’s not going to stop snooping in on other people’s self-portrayals any time soon, a part two of The Stalked may come to life in the near future. “I might consider choosing one subject and possibly really freaking them out by using all of their profile pictures,” she chuckles cheekily. So in future, think twice about what you put on your Facebook wall because it might just end up on a real one!

Click here to follow her on Twitter.
Click here to view her Tumblr.

Words: Christine Hogg

Images: Ian Skene

Oh Little Dragon, Little Dragon how you have stolen our hearts and won over our fickle souls with your earnest, honest and beautiful performance.

Not an achingly slow bar or a loo too few, too far, or even a stolen phone – 16, so far? Nor a lax security or a crowd so mashed, or music to start so smashed and trashed could stop the aching need that us starved South Africans had for this not-so-secret Swedish band… and then came the mercy of Felix La Band… slowing it all down, chilling us all out and finding a space for all of us to co-exist and share a place, with a smile in spite of it all, waiting to fall in love.

And fall in love we did, unanimously, collectively and whole-heartedly.

Little Dragon, Little Dragon – with your love of your art and the whole of your heart you showed us what it means to do it for the love of it; to love it and share it so graciously, to include us and honour us and bring us together with your authentic cool, your robust truth and your magnificent musing music – we will forever be yours.

Thank you adidas and We-Are-Awesome events for trawling and shaking the global online tree and promising the fruits of the forest of abundance to us. Thank you for taking a chance, we salute your bravery and support your efforts wholeheartedly. The choice was awesome, the stage, sound and setting solid, just never forget that when playing the international game, we have to up our entire game – and remember you raised the bar, now you actually need to get us drunk!

To view our Album of the Week titled: ‘Little Dragon Live In Cpt 2012′, click here!
To read the interview we did with them two days before they played, click here!

Words: Willow Tale
Images by: Giuseppe

Photo : Loyiso Mzamane

Our two-man crew followed Inge as we headed backstage for a quick brief with a few grizzly members of BEAST. We waited, sucked on nicotine and waited some more and then finally strokes after the midnight hour, BEAST laid foot on stage as the cult following stood ready for an unbeknownst performance. Drunk audience members who shoved each playfully now stood at full salute, brimming.

Featuring the hard and pace full drumming of Sasha Righini (The Plastics) and bassists Louis Nel and Rian Zitsmann (Taxi Violence). The lead vocalist sang, screamed and seduced in tones of dark yet airy and shrill vocals, all of which surpassed the guitar riffs and lingered throughout venues concrete structure.

Myself with camera in hand, stood spell bounded as I transcended with the arousing magnetism of a lady named Inge Beckmann. The quartet had a stage presence, which matched their artistic abilities and came out to rightfully exploit themselves. If I had turned around to glance at the audience reaction, I am positive that I would’ve witnessed the previous performers jot down notes.

Many will draw comparisons to Lark the electronic collective, whom Inge fronted. Many will not have heard of BEAST a fresh-on-the-scene quartet mashed up of members from leading bands .

As a collective the headliners of the night were certainly in their own league, and had undoubtedly gained a couple of fans that like myself, are itching for the release of BEAST’s new material. My critique being that the venue was shy of being a full house. For now it’s a good idea to get your head wrapped around the release of the new Lark album Gong Is Struck after all its probably the closest thing bringing justice to an online review.

Words: Kurt Mullins

Photo: Loyiso Mzamane

one small seed’s 25th issue Content Preview from one small seed on Vimeo.

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©Tomorrow Never Happened

Picture this, directly underneath the M1 Highway is a stage blaring the most potent of dub-step; non-stop. A sea of possessed bodies going crazy giving way to sound at the speed of 140bpm – repetitively. It’s a powerful sound that gives impetus to move like possessed junkies.

Its high energy, charged with the kind of electric feel MGMT sing of and just simply the stuff an epic party is made of. Just a few feet away is another crowd, with a low hanging cloud of smoke and the smell of Mary Jane in the air, bopping to the sounds of the reggae soul of Tidal Wave. Around the corner in a little nook is some hardcore drum ’n bass enough to break ya’ fucking neck. Jozifest boasted three stages; The Mash stage, The Monster Energy stage and the KillCool Stage. The Mash stage was truly pumping!

In the heart of Newtown, the alternative capital, The Mills complex provided the platform for one of the most fervent celebrations of live music in the city of Johannesburg. Jozifest emphatically brought back live music festival culture to the very pulse of Joburg living. Too often, one has to slum it out in the ‘bundus’ to get a fix of raw live performances and a taste of live music festivals. In a different strand, Jozifest unlike Oppikopi, Synergy or Rocking the Daises, ditches the veld to bring a Live Music Festival to the fabric of the city of Johannesburg.

©Tomorrow Never Happened

©Tomorrow Never Happened

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©Tomorrow Never Happened

The poster reads: ‘One Weekend, 11 International Acts and over 40 of South Africa’s most renowned artists!’ The organisers delivered on that promise, though there were some bands missing in action due to last minute cancellations or for whatever reasons.  I could have sworn there were more and more artists as the line up just kept getting better. Big-ups has to go to the organisers (Cool Runnings, Fourways; Killcool; Hilltop Live; Monster Energy ) for plugging in some of South Africa’s biggest live acts. The programme featured aKing, Zebra and Giraffe, Fokofpolisiekar, Double Adapter, Taxi Violence, Tasha Baxter, Popskaar, Foto Na Dans, Lark and Josie Field to name but a few local smashing acts. Never mind the fact that crowd puller – Die Antwoord - snubbed the fest last minute to make an appearance at the David Letterman show, the turnout was beyond massive. It really shows the hunger for live music in Jozi.

©Tomorrow Never Happened

©Tomorrow Never Happened

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©Tomorrow Never Happened

I guess my only side eye was the frantic shuffle in programme, which meant I missed some of my favoured acts. Lark was scheduled to perform in the afternoon on Sat, but while spinning in the vortex of dubstep; heard I missed them in the evening. What the fuck.

On the main stage, Tidal Waves murdered everyone with some reggae blues. ‘Original music for original people’ is their mantra and boy do they deliver. These guys are so talented they had me wondering where the hell they have been considering they have been in this game for 10 years. Tasha Baxter was lively on stage. I charge the organisers with a crime, a good crime: there was just so much variety to choose from. Good quality music is rare nowadays and to be spoilt with an awesome line up like this is a treat.

©Tomorrow Never Happened

©Tomorrow Never Happened

I set out to achieve three things at Jozifest.

1) Get a long overdue education on dub-step; its music I dig, but constantly get twisted. My ignorance comes to mind, when I once chirpily Tweeted that Spoek Mathambo had some sort of dub-step vibe and being met with a strong disapproving ‘I hate that shit’ response from Spoek. So you can understand just how essential dub-step 101 is.

2) Interview as many bands and get them to say something quirky but secretly stupid for one small seed.

3) To document the weirdest encounters, that so often transpires at music fests.

©Tomorrow Never Happened

©Tomorrow Never Happened

First objective, well it kind of happened randomly. I spotted a lonesome tired looking chicky seated on a dilapidated couch in the VIP room. In an attempt to be funny, I quipped to my friend: ‘she looks like she would know a thing or two about dub-step.’ Hang on, so it turns out it’s Dj Sideshow post her crazy set, which I missed but heard some awesome reviews. I had no cooking clue that the figure behind Sideshow is a female. ‘I made it rain’ she says, she is not joking. It had literally started raining. As her set unfolded, the heavens had poured down.

So Dj Sideshow explains that they are different types of dub-step. That much I get. ‘Dub-step is about different levels and raising basslines.’ She says she is more gangster. I laugh, and then revert back to a straight face. She explains that she infuses hip-hop sounds into the bass and reverberant drum patterns that are classically dub-step. It’s quite a deep sound. Another Dj that impressed was Kennedy, who for a moment looked ready to launch himself into the crowd. I have never in my life moved with such imprecision and lack of rhythm, but oh so content with it. Those are the makings of a solid Dj.

©Tomorrow Never Happened

©Tomorrow Never Happened

©Tomorrow Never Happened

With my all access pass, I really had the freedom to interview any band. But in a frustrating turn, I ended playing an annoying game: ‘hunt-the-band’. Who knew that spotting bands and artists, in a sea of mass produced hipsters of the same ilk would be so hard? aKing, Zebra and Giraffe, Grooverider, Sub-Zero; I have only this to say, ‘where the fuck were you guys?’ Granted I don’t know what half of you folk look like anyway.

Spotted Tamara Dey all chilled out supporting local talent which leads to the begging question: ‘how the hell was Flash Republic not invited to perform?’ Organisers, please note that the flash generation is anticipating a Flash republic appearance next year. I love those guys, but let me rather take this rant to Twitter instead. She whispered in my ear that she is working on a solo project that feeds off her interest in fashion and music. Watch that space.

©Tomorrow Never Happened

©Tomorrow Never Happened

I hijacked Paulo and Rui from 340ml just before they were going to go rock on. I ask them what they are about to serve up with their set? ‘Short and powerful’ says Rui. I dig these guys muchly. Paulo was quite chuffed that the Festival has found a new home in Newtown as this place is their ‘first love.’ Did I mention how laid back and cool these guys? Cooler than a Maputo sun downer.

In all honesty, there is no rosy way to say this: shit got real and then hit the fan. Just the way I like it; crazy, more crazy, throw in a bit of debauchery, some cotch on the shoes and you know a music fest has delivered the goods.

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Also managed to have a fleeting moment with Josie Field while chilling with her posie in the VIP lounge. I make fun of the fact that did she get an invite coz her name phonetically resembles Jozi? Ok, lame joke but an ice-breaker nonetheless. In actual fact, we had chatted before but was cool seeing her in her true element; in a live music environment. What we both observe is the diversity on display. There was everything for everyone; dub-step, electro, rock, alternative rock, acoustic sounds and reggae. There were stalls, beer chugging, the distinct boerie on the sizzle, the occasional slip in the gutter. There were all kinds of hipsters, conscious afro dread brothers, the jock, vintage gays, mini-skirt girls and more.

©Tomorrow Never Happened

©Tomorrow Never Happened

©Tomorrow Never Happened

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©Tomorrow Never Happened

Words: Saint-Francis Tohlang

Images: Tomorrow Never Happened

UPDATE: Please note changes have been made to this article. The original full-length version has been uploaded. There were some critical errors that have been amended, and we apologize for the misinterpretations made, particularly around the dub-step genre. Big-ups to Steve aka Audiophile for filling us in on the comments he’s been getting.

Thanks for all those who read the piece and have been commenting on it.

 
 

It was hot outside and the beautiful 20-something’s that made up most of the crowd were not ashamed to show off their skin. The bottle store does not have as many six packs as were exposed on shirtless guys this weekend. The woman all rocked flat stomachs and sun-kissed skin. It was a spectacle: slightly intimidating for the lesser-confident wanderers. A man asked a couple that walked by him, ‘can I just kiss one, or both, of you?’ His friends chuckled and the couple smiled. There were many gorgeous individuals at Love & Light.

 
The event was only a 40 minute drive from Cape Town city center and, being only one day, would leave plenty of time for indoor Sunday-recovery time. After parking it was a mere stones’ throw, maybe an arrow’s launch walk to the music. The bass thumped in our insides as we approached. It was noon and we had considered ourselves the early birds throughout the drive. This was not the case. The music, the grooves and the positive vibrations were all in full swing when we arrived. The name of the game was mellowness and self expression, the metaphorical game. Like most trance parties, this party was void of any fist fights; that would have been totally out of place. Instead we encountered men and women alike grooving out as if no one was watching. The people, the artists were living in the moment. Dance moves carried on the waves of the beats, infecting most of the crowd, creating a distinct, shared harmony. Some swam and others grooved in the shade.

A partially enclosed tent and nearby trees protected the audience from the sun. The sweat of the crowd did not infect us; well placed misters calmed our nerves and cooled our foreheads. There was nothing to do at the Love and Light festival besides soak up beats, the rays an all the feel-good energy. The first DJ we saw performing, The Fog Show, rocked out with a live violinist. After that, Lox chilled it with his dreadlocks and attuned reading of the crowd. Each successive performer built up the energy by a gigabyte; each read our emotions.
 

Felguk – Do You Like Bass (Neelix Rmx) by neelix

After time on our feet and the knowledge that this 10-hour event, not including the afterparty that was hosted at Trinity, was a marathon and not a sprint we headed to the reservoir, separated from the stage by brambles. There we encountered floating dolphins, blow-up beach balls and warm but refreshing water. Speakers pumped next to the water, making the swimming game part of the festival action. If one needed a moment of silence all you needed to do was hold your breath and take a dunk. A lifeguard was on duty, or at least someone sporting a ‘Lifegaurd’ tee.
 

Symphonix DJ Set by Symphonix

Frequent trips to the car to ‘stay hydrated’ kept my buzz going. In addition, Red Bull had a tent and there were two full service bars, one on the water’s edge, the other under the tent near the stage, at our disposal. All the vibes were good. A pretty blonde waved to the swimmers from the window of a cop car that drove up into my periphery. They had kindly given her a ride, sparing her the thirty second stroll. She jumped off the police truck and joined the party. The cops had no one to bust that I could see. Who needs fear or confrontation when there is love and light? Pardon the cliché.
 


 
Neelix played a thumping set that I don’t think the crowd responded perfectly well to. But Connecto got everyone going again and shade begun to arch onto the scene. Overall the festival was a success, liberating and filled to the brim with eye candy. Symphonix tore it up and unfortunately I didn’t last to see Killer Robot. It had been a long day.
 



 
Photos: Paul Ward
www.diaryofward.com
 
Words: Jason Shark