Crack

Of all the parties that descend upon Motion during the Autumn months, Bugged Out! is among the most distinctive, illustrious and consistent. Having been at it for 15 years, these folks know as well as anyone how to bring an expectant warehouse to its knees.

A mammoth set from Waifs and Strays in the Tunnel draws us away from Bowski doing some real damage in the main room. Waifs’ brand of percussive party house has the room at their mercy for what seems like an age – in a very, very good way. Over in the main room, L-Vis 1990’s arrival is greeted feverishly, a spectacle behind vibrant lights. But it’s hard not to wonder if what follows represents a touch of style over substance. While on debut album Neon Dreams his sound appears to have descended into overtly poppy territory, there’s no denying that it packs a punch in the flesh; however, there are no truly outstanding moments, and nothing that grips the attention for more than a few moments.

Later, while Fake Blood’s impressive lack of subtlety gets the main room wreckheads tied in knots with cheesy, punishing beats, Heidi is next door causing all manner of lovely mayhem. No stranger to a touch of cheese herself, her set is pretty much as good-time as it gets, funky house rhythms turning the room into a ridiculous liquid mess, while an euphoric highlight comes in the form of Battle for Middle You, cut brutally short by a technical glitch involving a rather clumsy chap and a lead.

Crosstown Rebels’ Jamie Jones absolutely storms into the Tunnel, his vibrant, bouncy sounds ensuring that the room is at capacity for the duration of his presence. His set builds and matures towards a zenith, hitting a high which he maintains until superb closer, Crazy P’s Open for Service. And so the lights come up and the dripping kids and their aching limbs amble towards the morning slowly approaching outside. So this was the first Saturday of In: Motion 2011? Consider the marker firmly put down.


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Words: Geraint Davies