UK Dance Music Weekender 2003 Review

UK Dance Music Weekender 2003 Review image
Camber Sands, East Sussex - Nov' 2003

Having been in training for this all month, namely by going out at least 3/4 nights per week for the previous 4 weeks, we felt ready for anything. We arrive in the usually sleepy village of Camber Sands in Sussex to a weekend full of partying with thousands of other clubbers from all over the UK. Devious Events (headed by Dr Devious) take the reins once more after a sell out debut, at what was dubbed the first UK D&B Weekender back in April.

As we check in, things as always are pretty chaotic by the reception area - our worries, however are smoothd over by the complimentary crate of alco-pops we generously received with thanks.

Back at the ranch / wafer thin chalet, we get the fridge stocked, try and suss out the shower unit, eat, drink and drop - in that order.

Friday was in conjunction with Turnmills and Clockwork Orange, Andy Manston (CEO @ Clockwork Orange) played a storming back to back set with rising star John Askew (Godskitchen). The gorgeous Lisa Pin-up arrives to bring on the sexy pumping, banging house music and fellow female Sonique turns up the heat even further. She played it dark and hard, a very, very underground set from such a commercially successful artist and one that would have silenced many of her critics.

The Drum & Bass room played host to a massive number of well established and new breed names DJs & MCs including Goldie, DJ SS, Brockie, Swift & Probe - who we managed to catch flirting between styles, hard and funky rollers coming in thick and fast for that one.

Time arrives for one of the main headliners in this arena, son of Mr Turnmills (and brother to the man who runs it) Tall Paul. A track from Freq Nasty’s album sampler and Benny Benassi vs Beastie Boys is dropped to get the place immediately rocking away. Both him and Sonique still fresh (as we were) from the VIP exclusive Cross’ 10th Birthday celebrations on Wednesday night… Some other blinding reworks were also included, the massive ‘Banghra Beats’ and a Groove Armada anthem all for good measure.

Back to the chalet to work our way further in to a state of oblivion we start heavily consuming liquor until we drop (asleep)… after what seems like a few hours we’ve managed to drag ourselves to the canteen for breakfast @ around 4pm.

Stumbling through the main D&B arena we find the hilarious (but not very well advertised) Cuban Brothers [cue adopted South American accent]; "If I’d known the audience was gonna be this big, we could have come round to my fucking front room!" the larger, louder one starts off. After doing a few stretches and telling some funny stories, whilst constantly playing with his groin, he spots someone passed out in the audience. "HELLO… HELLO… HELLO LITTLE FRIEND" he turns to the crowd "It appears my friend here has fallen asleep? Let’s call him ‘sleepy Dave’ - if sleepy Dave doesn’t wake up, I’m gonna take my balls out and rest them on his chin!". The very image just had me stitches (he didn’t actually do it), they continued with their humorous cover songs of ‘Just A Little Samba’ and ‘Billy Jean’ amongst others.

A couple of wasted hours and many beverages later and it’s Saturday night and time for Radio 1’s Dave Pearce to don the stage, as he does so his trademark baseball cap (apparently an obscure birth mark?) is all too apparent. He delivers the goods, working the crowd in to a frenzy in good time for his BBC colleague Mr Judge Jules.

Again reaching for some all time greats that have been re-Touchéd I heard ‘Born Slippy’ by Underworld & Cassius’ ‘Sound Of Violence’ to name but a few. His comical gestures aplenty as he poses for photo’s from dedicated clubbers and loyal followers.

Fellow Radio 1’s legends Fabio & Grooverider mashed up da place before we entered to find Kenny Ken playing some serious dance floor shakers that had the crowd going wild, even after all these years at the top - he shows no signs of budging!

Sunday always equates to a scene from ‘Land Of The Living Dead’ or something similar with walking casualties everywhere you look. We stepped over most of them once we ourselves had snapped from the daze to briefly sample the Old Skool delights on offer - a little shindig to Slipmatt for old times sake before catching Nicky Blackmarket lifting the spirits (and the shots) in true style on Sunday night before man of the weekend, Devious D stepped up to tear it up - playing no less than 3 fucking dub plates in his set!!! (obviously killing it there and then).

Another great Devious Weekender at Camber Sands courtesy of those Devious boys and girls, great party vibes were witnessed and a great turbo system was heard by all, excellent lighting and visual display that’s always much appreciated too. Bring on the secret location in May 2004! See you there x