Adventjah at the RNA is often regarded as Brizzie’s ultimate rave experience. A smile played on the lips of previous punters who recalled their experiences to I, who until recently had never attended this biannual event at its legendary RNA location. Saturday, April 19 marked my entry to this brave new world of raving and now recovered, retrospective, I could never look back…Or could I?
Advancing through the gates, I gazed upon a group of punters more diverse than I have seen in my life. To my right, warehouses blared with muffled beats, the crowds pushing inwards to hear more, or outside to cool down in what happened to be a nippy night. In the distance whirly rides and dodgem cars spun punters into a mess, as they stumbled off slowly – the Ravesafe area conveniently close to the left beside the Trancemania room, where I tasted the first of my evenings’ musical delights.
Who should be spinning on my arrival but none other than Brad Revell to an audience highly appreciative of his talent, immersed in the enveloping sound that is trance. As he dropped his last track to deserving applause, Ian Nearhos stepped up to deliver an incredible progressive trance set which will remain memorable to many – matched only by Cosmo Caters’ fine work, reaching climax as he dropped ‘I believe’, by Lange.
Meanwhile, back in the Hydrofunk Beats Room, Superfluid were showing off their true talent by playing an all live set of breaky, funky beats. Next door in the Nu-Skool Vs Old Skool room, Simon Saint played an enchanting progressive house set – my only complaint being he didn’t get to play for long enough! Following was Veiga, who until Adventjah I had never seen play, but was a pleasant surprise – very groovy indeed. Groovetek followed later in this same room, an impressive set of pounding, hard edge tracks…But where was Waxmaster?
Moving into the United Nations of Hard Dance room, the immediate energy of Ricemeister Vs Chia was overwhelming as they brought out the hard sounds at high volume to my delight. Captain Tinrib followed in the way only he knows how – very hard, and very fast. What more could you ask for? Well, Storm perhaps, as he didn’t show up, to the disappointment of many.
Also disappointing was the size of the Rinse Out Drum ‘n’ Bass stage. However this in no way detracted from the incredible talent and sound which emanated from what could be described as a carpeted classroom. Pushed by the advice of a fellow ITMer, I checked out Tee Bee, who was definitely one of my night’s highlights, along with Journeyman and MC Shureshock. Their pure and deep, drum and bass created a realm from which it was hard to escape.
It’s amazing how the sense of madness and craziness associated with any Brisbane rave can make you feel at home. Adventjah was no exception – excellent intense music, talented DJs and live acts, awesome lasers, rides, random hugging of familiar faces and those you can’t quite place, punters epitomising madness in each their own mission of god knows what.
This writer believes however, above all, the encompassing vibe that brings everyone together in their sense of purpose and feeling, is perhaps the most important element. I tried to find and feel that vibe at Easter Adventjah 2003, and it just wasn’t there. Exiting the gates I felt lost and a little confused; pleased though slightly nonchalant. Did I have a good time? Yes. Did The A*Team put on an awesome party? Hell yes! Did the musos’ blow me away with their skill and fine tracks? They sure did! Would I rate it as one of my favourite rave experiences? Maybe…But there was just something missing…
