The HullaBoard - View Single Post - Rave review, Hullabaloo "Funtopia 7" 03/07/04

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After this, DJ Elixir took to the stage. I was expecting another Hardcore set after all we had been given sofar, but I was wrong. I werent sure what to make of a Trance set after 3 hours of Hardcore, but it deffo didn't makeme want to dance. On the other hand, it was nice to take a break, chat to the friendly ravers and have a drink in the upstairs bar. However, I'd be lying if I said I didn't think putting a Trance set on at Midnight was an odd move.
Handily, Hixxy and Storm were up next, taking the 1-2 set. It was safeto assume that these two wouldn't be trancing the place up and they didnt let us down either. Unphased by the random appearance of two UK ravers, Storm started off the set by encouraging the crowd onto the dancefloor in his usual persuasive manner and Hixxy kicked off with some tunes that I didn't recognise. However, he soon moved into familar ground and was soon busting out tune after tune that I could ID. Keeping to a similar style to the local jocks, Hixxy's set was nice and varied and all the better for it too. Hopping back and forth from the Old skool to the upfront sound, Hixxy's set contained a lot of my favourites, both old and new with "Together forever", "Toytown", "Raveheart" mingling with upfront tunage like "Back and 4th", "Eyeopener" and finishing on "Just accept it". He even managed to squeeze a gabba tune into the middle of his set, while the candy ravers weren't looking. Nice one.
After the mainliners, it was back to th homegrown talent, with DJ Frisky taking over. I was getting used to the Eclectic nature of North American Hardcore and Frisky carried on that tradition in a workmanlike manner. Everything from "Ultimate High", through to "Break of Dawn" and "Together Forever" was dropped with the crowd lapping up everything that was offered and coming back for more. By this time there were about 6-700 ravers in the place. Not packing it out fully,but making it full enough for you to actively look for spare space on the dancefloor. Of course,you could always mix it up with the rest of the party people instead of finding your own space, if you bumped into anyone, all that you got was a mutual apology and a smile and you were back into the music again. Frisky finished off his set with another helping of "Children of the night", a tune which led nicely into the next set, the promoters special.
Anabolic and Mrs. Frolic were the reason we were all there so it was only natural for Storm to take over the mic and introduce them to the ravers to a loud report from the crowd. Frolic then played one of the most enjoyable sets of the night, mostly because he played tunes which the ravers were singing along to, a fact amplified by him dipping the music and letting the party people do his work for them. Of course the set consisted of crowd pleasers, after all, it was hard to resist singing along to tunes like "Time after Time", "Sweetheart", "Turn up the music", "I need your loving", and "Eyeopener".
However, as clear as the awesome rush it generated, as soon as he dropped my favourite ever tune, "Chemical Love" he was playing the set of the night, no doubt about it. For his final tune, he finished on "Shooting Star" and once again, the singalong crew were in full effect, keeping Frolic busy with the volume control and making sure he left the decks with a smile on my and most of the other ravers faces too.
Once again, the vaguries of overseas raves reared their head again as Chiclet took to the decks and played another Trance set. This time it was more difficult to cope with as the previous three hours exertations had left me a little tired. I really wanted to stay till the end but I had to jack it in at around 4.50 and make my way back to the hotel. My only excuse was that if the music had been Hardcore, I would have been Hardcore enough to stay.Apologies to the final DJ whose set I missed.

Things I liked:

Atmosphere - This was amazing all night long. The Canadians really know how to rave and even though I had heard good reports from previous attendees, nothing could prepare me for the Hulla crowd and the party atmosphere they created

Music - North American Hardcore is the business. Not so much the actual tunes (It was mostly UK produced stuff anyway) but the way the DJs kept you guessing and not knowing what was going to be played next. It made the night more interesting for me, I can tell you.

Security - Chilled and relaxed all night. The only thing that made me notice them is that one of them looked like Andre the Giant, doing a bit of moonlighting.

No Smoking - Its illegal to smoke in a public area in Canada. Thats why there was an outside smoking area and there was no smoking in the building. I liked this. It was nicer to breath in there and the ravestink was more bearable too.

Things I liked less:

System - Could have been a little louder.

Mic level - Could have been a little quieter.

Tshirts - no Tshirts on sale in the merchandise stand. I'd come all that way and wanted a souvinir, but had to go away empty handed. Shame really.

Camera crew - Pointing it in my face at 4.50 am and asking for an interview, I must have looked a right state. If the video comes out and there is a black eyed raver in a dayglo vest on it, you'll know who it is.

On paper, the expense, time, distance and effort involved in getting out there and into a rave that "Only" held 6-700 people probably wasn't worth it. Thankfully, the experience was so much more than the sum of how much I spent compared to the scale of the event. The Hulla Ravers, to a man, perfect hosts for the night. I dont think they could have made us feel more welcome, with nice things they had preparred for us ranging from getting us up on stage, all the way down to getting us involved in the North American tradition of Candy swapping, despite the fact we had none to give back in return. Of course, the undisputed highlight of the night has to be being dragged to the front of the crowd to witness the "Care Bear Stare". Definitely a highlight of the night and if nothing else, was a nice addition to a night full of memories to remember.
If you combine all that with the music, which was out of this world, then I would happily go again. The only problem is that for the next few months, the only way of doing so would be with the aid of a gun and a getaway car. I know this for sure, just like going to the rave, it would be worth it. *Finds balaclava*
astraboy.
Shouts to: Davespice, Kyra, all the Hulla Crew who made us feel so welcome, Storm & Sara, Hixxy, Anabolic Frolic, Mrs. Frolic, Baby Frolic, and everyone who I met on the trip. You are the safest people in the world.

That was very nice..

I think we have Hulla shirts.. I would be willing to send you one if i can get my hands on it..