From the moment we walked up those stairs and out of the torrential rain you could feel this really strong sense of unity. Just like the days of old when raves were a celebration. At Once Upon A Time people truly came together – and attitudes just did not exist. There were heaps of friendly people who had come to experience the same journey through time. The punters were happy, the DJ’s were happy – and I have never seen so much smiling under one roof.

We arrived around midnight so missed Abel & Shade in the Once Upon A Time room and Neo Tang & Suae in the Nu Skool room. The first DJ I heard as we were walking into the Metropolis was Weaver pumping out his awesome sound of new skool happy hardcore. Full of energy and life. We could instantly feel that energetic and flowing old skool magic.

Entering the old skool room with Pee Wee on the dex took me back immediately. I’m not sure whether it was that delicious piano sound which actually filtered right throughout the night or the faint sound of a syncopated whistle, which by the way wasn’t annoying or distracting but sounded great and needed to be there just to add to the atmosphere. Thanks Tambourine Man! These tunes were not jingly pop hooks accompanied by a set of chipmunk vocals; this music was solid and authentic with consistent, hard driving basslines. Pee Wee’s smile couldn’t have been larger as he pumped out some incredible anthems and rare tracks. He played many tracks that were less known but that was important in adding to the authenticity of this event.

Next up was the divinely talented Mr Jumping Jack. He mixed so seamlessly you could see that he was really enjoying playing these timeless tracks. Jumping Jack seemed to know each and every one of us and he worked the crowd like no other. Thank you so much J.J! Some of his killer tracks included Space Master, Elevation, Dreams, Fargetta and that gorgeous Paul Elstak track – “Love U More”.

Fenix stepped up onto the stage after Jumping Jack and boy o boy what a set. Fenix struck a chord with everyone and this man worked seriously hard – he did not stop! His vinyl collection is very cool and full of gems. Some of his tracks included; “Out of Space” – Prodigy, “Captain of the Ship” Ratpack and the stunning track “Again & Again”. That piano again.

Enter the Arena Mr Paul Holden. He is revered and as he began his set you could see why! This man is one of those pioneers that have actually made the “now” happen as we see and hear it today. His musical prowess is second to none and the trip that he took us on was euphoric. Some of his tracks included a tasty remix of Somebody to Love, Da Da Da, and No More by Max.

The atmosphere in the Nu Skool Room was uplifting and everyone was dancing up a storm in there. The sound and style was happy hardcore and hard dance like the days of Utopia 1995 and Godspeed. It was great bouncing into the Nu Skool Room with Matrix spinning Miss Jane’s “It’s a Fine Day”.

Phase One played after Matrix and I didn’t want to leave after hearing Sacreligeous and Bullet in the Gun. He had some very flavoursome records too! The crowd and all the DJ’s in there were totally connected.

Chester played last up in the Old Skool Room and continued with the energised vibe. He was a great way to finish the night, leaving everyone feeling awesome! Everyone was dancing. Some of his tracks included Dyewitness “Wind It Up” and Ultrasonic’s “Annihiliating Rhythm.

The DJs that gave us the music on this special night all worked so hard to keep it real and worked even harder for consistency, keeping that ‘genuine feel’ of the night. They had dug deep for some of those wonderful tracks which are the roots of where we are now.

We left to the tunes of Tom-E who was playing “Higher State of Consciousness” and departed Once Upon A Time as blissfully as we had arrived. What a treat.