In the leadup to Future Dreams there were rumours that not many tickets had been sold and rumours that the event may not go ahead. Knowing full well that it takes a few more than 4000 people to fill the Superdome this made me quite nervous.



My afternoon settled down later as I was told that the show would go on and Future Dreams was still a go, although there would probably be a few cut backs as the promoters were to loose a lot of money. So I traveled to the Superdome with not as high expectations as I first had and this was probably a good thing as if I was expecting the extravaganza they were making it out to be I would have probably been very disappointed.



I arrived at the superdome at 11:30pm to an empty line so entry took all of three seconds. I then quickly made my way to the main arena of the Superdome to prepare for the coming of the New Year! As I arrived John Ferris was just wrapping up his set to about a three quarter filled Superdome which did surprise me as I was expecting less, then the face of Future Dreams, Paul Holden took to the turntables. As I am not really a fan of hardcore I didn’t really enjoy his set but new years for me was more about being with my friends when the clock struck 12. Speaking of which, just before the big moment, Paul Holden stopped the music and took over the Mic and helped the crowd count down the final 10 seconds of 2002. The midnight fireworks display wasn’t exactly what I was expecting with what looked like 4 large sparklers and a bit of confetti although I think everyone was too wrapped up with hugging and kissing etc. to even notice they were there. But that’s what New Years is about.



Paul Holden continued on with his hardcore set (even though it seemed a bit out of touch with the rest of the music played in the main arena) until 12:45am when Jen – E graced us with her familiar brand of hard house. It’s a pleasure to watch her mix as she makes it look like so much fun as she dances around grooving to her music.



About half way through her set I decided to go see what else was on offer. The hardcore arena was right next to the entrance to the chill out area which was a nice concrete area with stairs to another nice concrete area but as there was no smoking inside the Superdome. A lot of people were spending quite a lot of time there. The breaks and d’n’b arena had a really nice set up in a really good location down and out of the way but to me the sound was very tinny and could have been done a lot better.



After walking around for a while I noticed the time was 2:00am and Dyewitness was to come on soon so I made my way back to the Main Arena. I waited with bated breath along with all the other punters, and I waited, and I waited. Jen – E seemed anxious after playing for an extra 20 mins but still played on. At about 2:45 still no Dyewitness, but the DJ from another arena that I saw 20 minutes ago took over and decided to play the exact same set he had played in the other arena.



3:30am came around and still no Dyewitness but Dave Randall took over and showed us his brilliant mixing and scratching skills for a rather shortened set for at around 4:00am we got word over the PA that Dyewitness will be performing in 15 minutes! 15 minutes turned into half an hour but at 4 the legendary Misjah, MC Zeno and MC Cyclone took over the stage with their slightly overweight and somewhat unskilled dancers. And for the five songs they played they had the crowd in the palm of their hands. Throwing out T-shirts and psyching up the crowd with every word spoken from each of the MC’s mouths, everyone had their hands in the air. And then, it was over. As quickly as they had come they were gone. The crowd begged for more but Nervous took the reigns and played his usual hard trance set.



I decided to watch Dave Forward play as I had heard that his style of crowd interaction was not to be missed and after witnessing it first hand for the first time I cant believe he didn’t get a main arena set. His antics behind the decks kept me entertained for an hour as I watched him attempt to get all the people sitting up to dance and holding up signs as to whether we wanted it harder? It was the most unusual style of hard house he played that you just had to move to so I did until my legs were sore from the relentless beats.



Eventually I went back to the main arena to find Nervous wrapping up his set and once again plugging Transmission Anthems as he has at all recent gigs I have seen him at much to the dismay of every one around me. Paul Holden took over again and stunned the crowd by something unheard of at any party I have ever been to. Devo – Pop Music. He then continued to play Eighties classics and that was when I decided to call it quits and leave the Superdome.



All in all I think it would have been the extravaganza promised had they had the ticket sales they wanted but I was thankful that they didn’t decide to ruin 4000 people’s new years. So actually I was quite pleased with how much effort went into it despite the amount of money they lost.



I went into the Superdome with little expectations so I was blown away. Knowing now that if Paul Holden decides to put on another party when there isn’t so much else going on that night I will be the first to buy a ticket as I know I wont be disappointed.