NEWS
EVENTS
Hospitality Brixton May 2013 - Review
Drum and Bass | Sunday 2nd June 2013 | Jenny
We might be only getting summer in small doses, but there was a hefty injection of blazing hot sounds at Brixton Academy on Friday.
The festival season was kick-started in inimitable style by Hospitality, the world renowned club imprint from Hospital Records. Now in its 12th highly successful year, fans were faced with an ever impressive line up at what now feels like home in the cavernous 02 building.
Despite travelling issues preventing the return of the mighty Camo & Krooked on the night, Room 1 label mates High Contrast, Nu:Logic, S.P.Y, London Elektricity, Danny Byrd, Metrik and Netsky were all on hand to satisfy the hundreds of dedicated fans descending upon South London. Room 2 activities were taken care of by Reso, Culprate, Etherwood (who also had a last minute Room 1 debut taking on warm-up duties), Ivy Lab, Other Echoes, Paleman and Codec. Main Squeeze was hosting Room 3.
Initially alarmed by the prospect of missing my latest obsession Etherwood who finished up in the main room by 10:30, I had the pleasure of catching his entire set in Room 2. I can quite honestly say it was all I had hoped it would be, and much more. Cementing his status as one of this years’ most exciting talents, his achingly beautiful sound completely filled the room and none other than Tony Colman himself (London Elektricity) looked proudly on. Of course hearing ‘Spoken’ and ‘Unfolding’ were highlights, as was the dropping of ‘Dema Beats’ from Calibre’s latest album – perfection. If you missed him this time, make sure you catch him at the next opportunity.
Next heading into the main room which had been well and truly filled by this point, it was time for the Nu:Logic experience. Pulling out another dazzling set to rival their debut duo appearance in January, tunes like the atmospheric ‘Morning Light’ were made for this kind of home crowd. The choice of Logistic’s classic ‘Warehouse’ into Culture Shock’s ‘Trogdolyte’ was a particular high point.
S.P.Y was up next, commanding the room in his signature bass-shaking style, ideally matched by Lowqui’s expertise. Always relied on to create an electric atmosphere, closing with Keeno’s remix of his classic ‘By Your Side’ was a truly mesmorising experience. An exciting night for Danny Byrd who presented his ‘Golden Ticket’ album launch, complete with hundreds of gold bits of paper descending from the ceiling. As ever, it was a high energy sixty minutes and full of fresh sounds with Serocee and Dynamite on mic duties.
Netsky made a triumphant return with an anthemic DJ set; it was refreshing and energetic, packing in a number of old favourites. The wonderful High Contrast, who I grabbed a quick chat with prior to his set, always delivers a memorable set. Pulling together a collection of new and old sounds, ‘Racing Green’ and ‘If We Ever’ both caused enormous crowd reactions.
As ever, London Elektricity whipped up a melodic and diverse set; using the opportunity to test-drive forthcoming tracks alongside Dynamite, who deserves the utmost credit for four consecutive hours of hosting. Metrik was a brilliant choice to close proceedings – he absolutely blasted those still standing into action, with many I spoke to saying he had played the most exciting set of the night.
Another great night from the Hospital team – this memorable affair kicks off another summer season of incredible live music.
