By Benji Chapman, Music Editor
Since 2017, DnB Allstars have asserted themselves as titans in the scene. The group have hosted events in Amsterdam, Canada, and all across the UK with esteemed DJs from all walks of drum and bass. Though they may only be seven years young, they continue to offer events that maintain the spirit of rave culture that began in the '90s, with acts such as Andy C, who frequent their lineups. Equal parts playful and spiritedly spooky, their latest Bristol performance was both a trick and a treat for curious Halloween-themed ravers.
I discovered DnB Allstars following their impressive Boileroom sets. As I began to divulge more and more time into researching their efforts in the modern drum and bass scene, I was continually impressed by the standards of their artists on offer and the inventive settings of their creative events.
So when the DOCUMENT team announced that the group would be coming to the venue for a Halloween rave, I knew that I would have to don a theme-appropriate costume and judge the quality of their shows for myself. Dressed in an admittedly unseasonal hoodie and cargos however, I felt somewhat out of place among members of the queue dressed from walking dead, to superheroes, and the unmissable occasional Power Ranger.
DOCUMENT's courtyard was also full of a selection of food stalls ranging from pizza to macaroni cheese that would keep audience members fuelled from the event's opening at 14:00 till the 23:00 end when Sub Focus concluded the night. Much like the Prospect Building's more recent tendency to finish shows before midnight, DOCUMENT has been successful is in offering events that don't end at absurdly late hours whilst maintaining the impressive lineups of a warehouse rave.
I, for one, welcome the shift towards earlier set times. Although I'm partial to an occasional 5 AM stumble home as the sun comes up, finishing at an hour when Uber prices are more reasonable and with more hours of rest before the next day begins is always a helping hand in mitigating the ever-threatening 'Sunday Scaries'.
The openness of the courtyard also allowed for easier access to one of the best things about a night out: meeting fellow fans of the same music who shared their favourite tunes. One of my favourite things about going to drum and bass events is meeting the spread of die-hard fans to first-time ravers who all have their own fascinating stories to tell, often increasing in shock factor as the hours - and drinks - pile on.
Some members of the crowd were even gearing up from the start of the event to head to Lakota afterwards for hypnotic psytrance paradise at Tribe of Frog. Whilst a 15-hour rave may sound entertaining to some, I think I'll stick to cheesy chips and bedtime by midnight.
Stepping into the smaller first room, I was met with a powerhouse sound system that defied expectations. With a lineup that included giants like Sub Focus and A.M.C, it would have been easy to overlook the lesser-known acts who spearheaded activity in the room. Still, it was often a refreshing point of relief between the vast scale of the main warehouse's crowd.
Nonetheless, the headliners were - for me - the definite highlights. Thanks to an earlier start and finish, my energy at this point in the day was still high and the thumping volume from the main room's speakers were only increasing the energy levels. Spinning a drum and bass remix of Instagram Reel's own favourite 'What Was I Made For' (meow version), the selection of tunes was both amusing and sonically aggressive.
As A.M.C took to the 360 stage, his double-drop take on Chase and Status and Stormyz's hit 'Backbone' was met with chants of lyrics before what can only be described as a horrifyingly spectacular drop that swept the room. Moving closer to the front, I eventually found myself behind the DJ decks themselves as Sub Focus took to the centre.
Being right behind the various MCs and producers on stage only added to the magic of the night in all its terrifying glory. Surrounded by costumed ravers, the atmosphere of childlike fun felt like a return to youthful costume parties, with a more updated selection of music and adult-appropriate refreshments rather than sweets.
But to say that the performance wasn't mouth-wateringly sugary would be a disservice to its addictive appeal. Though I was drawn outside for moments of respite in the quieter parking lot, moments of silence were enjoyed briefly before the music summoned me back into the rave's alluring monster mash.
Featured Image: Benji ChapmanHow do DnB Allstars keep rave culture alive while adapting to the drum and bass scene?
