Things are strangely quiet over at the speakers. A few vital cables have been left at home by the crew, and are awaiting on a new set to turn up. It's nice because for once you can hold a conversation properly near the decks.
I go for a wander while waiting for the tunes. Adrenalin soundsystem from Didcot, setup nearby and blasted out MC'd Drum and Bass to a fair few people dancing around the system. They had their usual, bright colourful lights lighting up the temporary dancefloor. Throughout the night their DJ's played techno and drum & bass to their regular follows.
Back at the System Co-Ex rig and their leads finally turn up. The first DJ who comes on, writes a lot of his own tunes and then plays them in his sets - he's pretty good to say the least! New speakers have been added since the White Horse party.... so new that some of the crew are still covered in black from painting the cabinets! The system sounds nice and bass heavy - it's at least a 5k rig. Roboscan lights sit on the very top of the stack. Considering what the collective had equipment wise when I first saw them 2-3 yrs ago, they've sorted themselves out, and now host a really good party everytime. (not that they didn't before you understand! ;o)
Throughout the warm night the techno keeps coming - times like this, and I really appreciate this country and the people who put 100% effort into giving partyheads an amazing nightout in the hills. A donation hat goes round, and a temporary bar is setup in the middle of the dancefloor. I'd say about 150 people made it up to the Downs, and it was more than enough for people to have a good time.
As it starts to get light, we head over to a nearby corn field... we pass somebody camping - strange place to put your tents up - next to a rave. A few hay bails make a comfortable spot to watch the sunrise over the Oxfordshire hills. We meet a few people here, and spend a while chatting to them (oi! get in contact!).
Back at the party, and the people camping don't look too happy. They've got a few moto-cross bikes with them and they proceed to roar up and down the Ridgeway...passed the party and back again repeatedly. Those bikes ain't quiet you know! They soon give up when they see nobody cares. I don't know why they didn't come along to the party, or even move their tents. At about 10am, loads of cars start turning up, with more bikes on trailers. Some sort of bike meeting is obviously happening close by.
Adrenalin start to pack up around 9am or so, but System Co-Ex still keep the techno flowing out of the speakers until 10.30am when the system gets switched off. It's been a great night up at Cholsey - classic place for parties to be held. We says our goodbyes, and head off back down the narrow track - skilful timing is used when meeting moto-cross cars coming the other way up the track. We get back out onto the road, and head back towards the M4. Great night, as usual...cheers to everyone involved!
Bugs
