Tekno Vs Breaks - The Showdown! :: Wessex Scene Online

Tekno Vs Breaks - The Showdown!

12th June 2006
Clare Saxon

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May 07 - Rave On!
Apr 06 - Neu-Rave: the new wave of guitars and glowsticks
May 07 - The F(r)action Family Party
Dec 06 - The Whitehouse Explosion
Dec 05 - Dance music shouldn’t be seen as drug music

More by Clare Saxon

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Even though the venue had changed from the Strand to Freedom, everyone knew where to go, because a showdown of the most fiendish kind was about to take place. A soundclash no other could match… the much anticipated great conflict of the dirty techno versus the fresh fighting breaks.

Its not often Southampton is graced with a techno night, and a free one at that, but this wasn’t just techno, it was a night infused with the finest breaks, and featuring a host of original and bright young things from the sunny south coast.

Freedom bar is a funky venue for such great combat, with its half price cocktails, friendly bar and shiny interior, it hides the murky battleground upstairs well. But looks can be deceiving as I was to find out.

Having missed the first chunk of breaks from the infamous Lohz and Model101, I entered to some hard and lovely techno from Hoffman, and although there was not yet many cowboys in the joint, the sound was crisp and had the tequila sunrise vibrating.

The lights and trippy visuals were fantastically bizarre and imaginary, and set the carnivalesqe mood for the lively location.

After some electro and techno from the legendary Bo Check, which got everyone grooving and added few more boots to the pit, Outbreak’s Ollspin slipped in his new school breaks to a growing number of ravers, and set the competition for the face-off.

Although the dancefloor was small and cosy, it led to great things by the time Dezi played. A set of the most excellent acid techno provided enough reason for most of the bar’s inhabitants to get up and stomp, and before the end of his first tune the place was rammed. He rinsed such lovelies as DK8’s ‘Murder was the Bass’ and some of Dave the Drummer and Liberator’s grimiest Class A material.

One of Southampton’s newest vinyl’s munchers, Dezi, really seemed to be enjoying himself, and is one to listen out for across the scene - as are the rest of the night’s energetic young DJs.

Next up, with a storm of techno, gabber AND breaks was Paul Bassrock, making sure he kept everyone firmly glued within the dancing vicinity - and the atmosphere charged.

Last up to beat the breaks down in a flame of glory was scruffyloops’

Stiklbrik, providing everyone with a last dose of bangin’ techno until we are lucky enough to be prescribed some more next month. We hopefully will be lucky enough to have a Techno Vs Breaks every month, but it just really depends on getting a venue that will tolerate such lovely music!

Techno really won the battle (this time) but breaks didn’t really stand a chance seeing as the majority of it was played first.

Also the techno thirsty Southampton crowds have been in withdrawl for a long time. The hordes were definitely up for it the whole night, and thanks to Chix’ lush Soundsystem and Freedom giving up the last minute venue everyone had an amazing night, and a few battle scars, to remember until next time. All I can really say is - More of this please!