Photo: Detonate
Detonate had such a massive line-up this year that they whacked on some of their sickest acts quite early on in the day. Unfortunately we managed to miss Scorzayzee, Klashnekoff, DJ Marky, David Rodders… Quite a few massive artists actually. It was a bit of a stinger, but what happened once we got past the gates certainly made up for it.
The queue was a python on steroids. But, to be fair, we’re told gates open at 11am, so we all rock up exactly three hours after that, still battered from the night before, and the mouth-running ensues when it takes a little longer to get in. I must admit, I was glad to be able to join the VIP queue (sorry, darling peasants) which cut down queuing time by a substantial amount. A few muck-ups with the electronic payment system didn’t help either. But such is technology.
A bit uncertain about a “pay as you go” wristband replacing cash at first, I actually found it proper convenient at the bar. I’d even go as far to say it was impressive. Especially when you’ve polished off a couple – just one beep, and bang, you’re nourished with a beverage and a smile. No counting of nuggets required.
Any road, practicalities aside, the first act we charged to catch was Youngsta and his beautifully reminiscent history set that rammed in everything DMZ-esque and beyond. There, at the Confetti Lakeside Stage, it was old school dubstep to rattle your lungs, chipping about from heavy, rattling bass beasts to the less complicated, spacious, smooth dub goodness. A right blast from the past and a perfect start to the chaos.
We managed to catch the end of Shy FX and Stamina MC at the main stage, where the atmosphere was electric. A hoard of ravers having it out in a massive, ecstatic drum ‘n’ bass session, pods of smoke erupting from within, people busting out the horns, screams of laughter. All that madness with Stamina MC keeping the vibrations punctuated with his signature voice. Nice.
Skepta. Photo: Thomas Comery for Detonate
We caught the first few tracks from Skepta, where the mood turned serious. Shapes were thrown in abundance. People weren’t messing about any more. The gun fingers were out. Screwfaces were rife. Snapchat screens were at the ready to capture That’s Not Me. Piles of girls were jumping onto the second storey of the crowd, with many a jolly and uncomfortable man’s face getting thigh-squashed.
I’m down for a dose of grime, but I wanted to catch the end of Hazard. Unfortunately the festival frenzy ruined said plans, but DJ Hype made up for that. In the Detonate X Basslaced tent, it was dark and gritty with many a face grinning away. Everyone from your stereotypical festival hippy chick to your shaded-up, gold toothed, t-shirt-less dude, united in their love of a dirty beat. And shit, did Hype deliver.
A mob of a wandering messes, the crew decided it was time for a chill-out session. Perhaps the Wigflex X Brickworks tent wasn’t the place most geared towards this particular pursuit, but a short sit-down skank outside, to some techno from Lone, sorted us out. A trip back to the tucked away, lakeside stage meant a dose of garage and bassline with Cause and Affect, the place getting noticeably busier. The sound quality was crystal but I reckon that Confetti stage could have done with being a touch louder. Nevertheless, we went in.
The time was approaching. Yes. Nas performing Illmatic on the main stage in Colwick Park. Funny, innit? Colwick Park is somewhere you go and feed the geese with yer mam on a Sunday when you’re eight. You don’t go and see one of the biggest hip hop legends there, do you? But actually, it was the perfect venue. Lush greenery, loads of open spaces and winding paths. Someone had an amazing vision and went with it. Not unlike Nas.
After hearing that album however many times, it was something special to get it direct in the tabs. Nostalgia hit. The songs were almost studio quality, absolutely blinding. Shit got emotional – there was a lot of closing of eyes and reality loss. Nas stayed with the crowd throughout, with massive amounts of energy that showed his belief in his lyrics is as strong as when he first wrote them. Hearing thousands of people chanting “Life’s a bitch and then you die” was surprisingly uplifting. Not quite as uplifting as “Whose world is this? The world is yours”, mind, but that collective appreciation transcended all worry. Maybe that was just me and me five-quid chardonnay, but I doubt it. That set has made my fucking year.
It was over before it began, so after some star-struck sighs and exasperated whispers of “Did we really just witness that?” it was time for some more drum ‘n’ bass inside with S.P.Y. Not gonna lie, after spilling a full glass of red down my favourite Primarni, I fully lost the plot for a good hour. But, after being saved from my own spangled self by a couple of mates and some lovely, cushioney randomers, it was time for Kano. Reunited with many a crew member, we jammed to tunes old and new from the legendary UK emcee.
To round off the evening, a set from Congo Natty began with Redemption Song and wound its way into some gritty jungle that induced mega solo skanking from just about every crowd member. A fantastic end to the evening. In fact, the whole day was amazing from start to finish, with every bassy genre popping up all over the shop. I’d love it if Detonate did a camping festival at some point in the future. The names they’ve got up their sleeve are truly immense and what they wove together…
Well, let’s just say… It. Went. Off.
Detonate Festival 2015 took place at Colwick Park on Saturday 30 May 2015.
Detonate website
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