Nelson is truely PHAT!!!!!
...And the creator said "Let there be Drum and Bass!" and there was. Egoloss reviews PHAT 05.
Egoloss
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I had decided early in Spring of 2004 that there was only one place for me for new years 05. PHAT'05! 48 hours of mainly drum and bass with a little jazz, reggae and dub thrown to make the vide of the event flow evenly. With a good mix of up tempo, brutal and dark verses slower laxed (recover) tunes, it lent itself to a wide mix of people.
The venue on Takaka hill turned out to be sweet. Beech trees surrounded the isolated setting, which made for sweet missions (of all kinds!) and tents, tarpollins and motor cars dotted the camping area, which was rather full. But i think everyone found a temporary spot for their home for the next couple of days.
You might have noticed in the above 2 paragraphs that i have not mentioned the weather. To be honest, it was pretty damn shit, but that wasnt going to prevent me from putting on my dancing shoes and partaking in a collective rave. In fact the cool air made it very atmospheric and almost mystic.
Anyways on to the music...
The highlight of the new years for me was hanging out with the crew of BAD COMAPNY (UK Drum n Bass). They played an unbelievable set. And that is who i primarily made the pilgrimage from the Naki to see. The photos taken from the stage was from their set.
SHAPESHIFTER, CONCORD DAWN, PENDULUM (Aussie) and DIGITAL (UK) were also amazing. If you are a drum and bass fan and werent there, it is a must do for new years '06!
SHAPESHIFTER'S drummer was amazing, and i spent the entire set watching him. (no pictures as the rain was falling, and i had decided to ditch the camera back in my tent. A decision not made lightly.)
CONCORD DAWN with the assistance of MC Rizzla (aka Tiki from Sal dub) were mean as well. I strongly believe that Rizzla is the best MC i have seen. He draws a good response from the crowd and has awesome stage presence.
These were the night sessions. In the afterglow of the day, i ventured out again with camera. The first nights partying had taken its toll on the ground. Shoes were now pointless, with the preferred method; barefeet or gumboots. At the stage, the gentle sounds of WICKED DRAW were entertaining a ever growing crowd, for the night session. THE BLACK SEEDS and SALMONELLA DUB got huge crowds for the saturated conditons. It shows the talent and good musical tastes of New Zealanders!
The organisers switched venues and moved it to the old "gathering" site, on Takaka Hill. Takaka.(Which is a mountain) So if you were still at the olde site, you might have been a bit disappointed that no DJ's and bands turned up at all!! They also warned about warm clothes and weather prove gears, its a pity i didnt bring enough! (although more then two hypothermic girls, who asked me for a blanket) A tried and tested tent would also be a good investment for next year!
Thanx for the oppitunity to take photos Dave White (and the event itself of course!), and the fucking mean security for letting me go anywhere i wanted. thanx also to the guy in the PHAT tent for having his tool. Your a lifesaver mate! I shell catch all the 3 and a half thousand beautiful people there again next year. Sunshine included.
