When You’re in Anglesey You Don’t Need Dostoevsky

Pop Miwsig’s hedonistic dance staff on ENRGY Island at Anglesey Showground

Sunday 30th May 2010, Anglesey Showground

Bank holiday weekend is here and so is the summer weather as I make my way once more along the A55 west and then north across the Menai Bridge. With outstanding views of North Wales and sun shining down, I’m looking forward to the night’s entertainment ahead.

I arrive at 4pm to receive a friendly welcome from promoter and DJ Danny Killa. The car park is a large field and hive of activity with people meeting old friends and new friends already made. Buses and cars from all over the country reflect in the sun as traders sell sunglasses and glow things.

My friends soon show up and we make our way inside. The first Room we encounter is the Masters of Hardstylez Arena. A large stage and bar face each other with a merchandise stall to one side and chill-out seating area tucked away behind the bar. There’s plenty of room to dance, and two doorways half way down left and right lead to another epically-named setting, the “Legends of the Hardcore” arena, which hosts another large stage, bar, burger stall and fair ground ride all under one roof. The other door leads to a rather small and crowded outdoor area for smokers with a row of portaloos.

The camping area is in a nice spot on a hill with outstanding views of Snowdonia and a row of small trees to protect from cold north winds. I’m given a warm welcome by Carwyn who with his crew come from nearby Gwynedd. Back in the entrance hall I talk to local DJ`s Barry & Rob fresh from a warm up set and having just returned from Thailand’s full moon party.
Things start to go crazy in the Hardstyles arena around nine o’clock when Mark EG takes to the decks like a whirling dervish. Flaying arms maiming to the vocal samples and grabbing the mic from the MC, he puts everything into it and the crowd acknowledge the effort with whistles and screams.

Next is Lisa Lashes, who’s nice bouncy beats fill the room out even more. My mates suddenly appear dressed as the Super Mario brothers from the Nintendo game with Spiderman. Bananaman is here too and the gig begins to resemble a marvellous cartoon mash-up. Kutski (Radio one) takes over till midnight and plays a more underground break-beat set, but near the end things don’t go to plan. First the sound cuts completely, he gestures to the sound engineer, the sound returns and next Big Brother shows up with a sound meter and the volume is toned down to a level he is happy with, but not everyone agrees with health and safety regulations. Why is loud music seen as such a threat?

We pop upstairs to Future legends, this room could have been set up a bit better. There’s not much to keep your interest, so its down to Legends of Hardcore arena to finish our night off with Darren Styles set. It’s as hard as stone and he rocks the room into the early hours of Monday. The arenas close around four followed and everyone falls out to chill on the campsite.
Energy Island was a well-organised event bringing top name DJs to the heart of North Wales in a venue that is well suited to dance music extravaganzas of this type, a hedonistic fix for an affordable price.

© 2010 Wyn Rimmer

© Miwsig