You know how it is—long weekend which basically gives you two Saturday nights out. So, true to form, the crew headed out large on Saturday night and come Sunday afternoon, the legs were a bit shaky and head fuzzy. However, as Lisa Lashes was the very first DJ I ever saw perform in England at Sundissential, there was no way I was missing this massive night. I also interviewed Lisa a couple of months ago and was looking forward to seeing how this very friendly lady on the phone could get the crowd going.

However, it didn’t take long to get started once we got there. Once we got through the now obligatory cavity search at the security stop (only kidding, security were great all-night and not once did anybody steal my bottle top) the vibe was pretty strong. Thanks Future – sometimes we get shitty but this was a well put together night from my experience. Loads of punters were pouring in excited about the night ahead.

I would like to pay a little bit of homage to the crew from Rave Safe. These dudes are punters like you and I who give up their nights to make sure we have fun on ours – information about drugs, how to be safe, how not to over do it and to be there if things get ugly. I know for a fact one of them was there from a very big Saturday night – so thank you from everyone for being our guardian angels.

We cruised around into the main arena and caught some of Dave Lea’s act. Numbers were steadily flowing onto the floor and the crew was getting going. Pretty hard, plenty of energy and definitely a feeling of expectation. The aesthetics were pleasing with awesome visualisations on the main screens and a atmosphere building. Dave’s set was pumping and grinding and energy and body heat filling the arena.

On the way to get a drink the rave safe crew recommended checking out Renaissance. As the music faded as we left the main arena, the driving groove of James Zabelia kicked in. Cruisy, funked up Trance, awesome fat sounds at a more gentle pace than the main floor. We soon lost track of time and nearly missed the start of Lisa Lashes – well done James, awesome stuff.

So back to the main room for one of the UK’s leading ladies of the electric music scene. Lisa Lashes was loving it – big venue, huge sound, wicked visuals and lots of people full of beans. They were definitely ready for what Lisa had to offer. I was expecting a hard, almost dry sound – something I have mostly associated with hard house music. Don’t get me wrong, the house was definitely hard but had so much depth and content.

There were hooks, lifts and grooves all the way through the set, driving beats with anthemic hands in the air and faces aching from smiling so much as layer upon layer permeated our being and drove us on through the night. How could I have expected any less from one of the world’s finest. By 3:30 AM a crowd was right into it – Lisa pounding and all of us hoping that it was going to be a three-hour set instead of two. However, the inevitable came – we raise our hands in thanks and hoped that we don’t have to wait too long to do it all over again. What say you Lisa – got more time for us in Oz?

One of the best surprises of the night came next. Signum came with a good reputation and many fans but often a crowd can die off a little bit when the main headline act is over. However, Signum just loosened the intensity a bit, set his own groove and began to build. Within 3 or 4 songs the floor had filled again and really lifted off to the small hours. lisa lashes is no easy act to follow – Signum took the baton and kept on runnin.

However, by this stage I was dancing like a spazz – my legs really hurting and my head more than a bit fuzzy. You know – balance is tricky, the throat is now really dry and colours pretty bright. I was sweaty too – it was bloody hot near the front. Time to go.

It was awesome to wander out of the main arena about 5am to see the crowd still going absolutely mad. Progressive, driving trance with some great ambient sounds overlaid to give a lovely 5am uplift.. Again, loads of smiling faces obviously having a wicked time, and loving the big arena on the big occasion.

So yes, you can have two massive nights in a row and still love them. It’s also great to see a fairytale artist – from all the lads and all the ladies, Miss Lisa Lashes, we take our hats off, throw our hands in the air and stomp our feet on the ground to say thanks for bringing you and your friends to party.