Saturday rolls around, and the only free party I've heard about is GM Soundz happening somewhere near Guildford. The previous night I'd been up to Enlightenment to see Infected Mushroom play live, a storming night in a long railway arch opposite the Mi6 building. We're knackered, but I want to make the most of my weekend.
Meeting up with friends in Farnborough, we wait for directions to the party. The answerphone message left by the soundsystem was almost impossible to listen to, due to the bloke talking fast and the signal cutting out at all the vital points. The directions finally get deciphered, and just after midnight a 6 car convoy leaves for the party. All the cars in the convoy manage to keep together, and at one point we pass a stationary police car - which luckily is happy where it is. Driving through the town of Witley, just south of Guildford, we pull off the main road and into the dark country lanes. After a few miles down single track roads we pass a few houses and drive down a hill, before hitting a queue of traffic. A couple of barbed wire topped fences swing open and let in the cars in front of us, we give a donation to the girls on the gate, and drive on through.
This place used to be an old brick works, and is pretty wet and muddy all over the site. A spot on site for a sheltered party though. Huge open sided sheds provide the cover for the soundsystem, which is still being put together when we turn up at 1am. A huge wall of speakers divides half of one of the sheds and a temporary dance floor is cleared of any rubble. A few roboscans, and UV lights are put into place, and the tunes are switched on. A couple of fires spring up in the sheds, keeping people warm - it was a pretty cold night. It took a while for the crew to sort out the sound levels, before it sounded okay. Drum and Bass came on for a while, followed by Techno for the rest of the night.
After going for a wander around the building, having a look at the old brick kilns and getting covered in brick dust, I came back to the dancefloor to find the place full. Loads of people dancing, having a good time and enjoying the freedom parties provide. About this time I got a call from a friend who was lost in the dark surrounding lanes. I tried to give directions to the site, but as I had followed the convoy I wasn't too sure of the right roads to turn down. Eventually I find someone who does know the way, and we sort it out for the lost driver. Unfortunately just as they're about to turn down the correct road, a police car pulls up and blocks the street. A crafty move of driving across someone's private drive right in front of the cop car pays off and they manage to make it inside the barbed wire gates.
The techno continues as it starts to get light outside. We've had a good time, but have to make a move around 6am - It was a long night the night before! We're glad we went out though. Thanks to everyone that helped setup the system, attended the party, and the Farnborough crew who helped guide us there!
I'm pretty sure this will be the last party in the UK for me for a while as I'm going travelling abroad until next year. Partyvibe admin are taking over the page for a while - although I'll still be filtering any party reviews that get sent to the site. As I can't write any UK party reviews, I'm counting on people writing in with reviews. If the site is to continue and survive, then your efforts are needed! I'm sure I'll write reviews of any parties I come across while on my travels!
Cheers to everyone in the past, that has helped me and my friends get to free parties all over the country. I've met loads of people along the way, and I've made some truly special friends. Too many to mention - you all know who you are! Keep the scene alive until I get back!!
Bugs
