Reviews
UKF BASS CULTURE
- Words
- Reviews
- Clubs
Where Alexandra Palace, London
When November 25, 2011
Music Dubstep, d’n’b, electro
The queue for UKF Bass Culture is, like the music, of epic proportions. Huddled groups downing pre-show beers snake around the Grade II listed building in numbers that would befit an iPad giveaway at the Apple store. But being whipped by the bitter wind is a small price to pay for what’s on offer tonight; a price over ten thousand punters have willingly paid.
2011 was a great year for bass music, and tonight is its lap of honour. While The Union Arena is at the helm in Room 2 with the likes of Jaguar Skills and Modestep, and Room 3 shakes to d’n’b from dBridge, Rockwell and Total Science, for most at Ally Pally it’s all about the juggernauts. Nero stand astride the main stage behind a sleek, black DJ booth. Their set, culminating in chart-topper ‘Promises’, has hands in the air and everyone belting out the chorus.
While Nero may be next in line to the bass music throne, Chase & Status are the kings and are met with elation. ‘No More Idols’ saw them produce tracks with their live set-up in mind, and ‘End Credits’ (with Plan B on the big screen) results in a mass singalong and shakes the foundations. Next up, Pendulum offshoot Knife Party hit the stage with boisterous electro-house and wobble-heavy dubstep before Zane Lowe, acting as hype man and DJ, drops Major Lazer’s ‘Hold The Line’ while shouting, “Hands up for UK bass music!”
Despite being late, Skrillex whips the crowd back into a frenzy with his heavy bass and sugary hooks. While the kings of bass may have disappeared into the night, the prince well and truly owns the Palace.
