Adam Beyer, Alan Fitzpatrick and friends party under the M4 as Junction 2 brings something unique to London
London Warehouse Events bring air of rave nostalgia with Adam Beyer, Alan Fitzpatrick and friends under the M4 in Boston Manor Park
AT the time of year when there seems to be festivals every weekend, all with line-ups that try to better the last, it's hard for new festivals to pop-up and generate as much interest and excitement as Junction 2 had since its announcement a few months ago.
Just outside of West London, a new exciting venue has been unearthed by the LWE and Drumcode at Boston Manor Park. With concrete pillars supporting the M4 fly-over blending in with the surrounding wooded and leafy environment it was easy to forget you were just a short journey outside of the hustle and bustle of the capital. Not only that, but there was almost a sense of what it would have been like back in the early days of the illegal underground raves.
On arrival you immediately knew you were in for a special day. The first thing that hit you was a sea of people running underneath nearly the entire length of the M4 bridge. It really was a sight that you’re not used to seeing and added to the anticipation and excitement of the day.
Before I made my way down to the main stage I thought I'd check out the other two stages, Hydra and Closer. The Hydra tent was more of what you would typically expect at a summer festival and featured the likes of Mano Le Tough, Mr G and festival regulars Dixon and Ame. The Closer stage had the feel of a London warehouse and was headed up by Nina Kraviz, Dense & Pika, Marcel Dettmann and Scuba.
With so many incredible DJs on the line-up it was hard to know where to start, but for me I couldn't pass up the chance to see a 3 hour set from Berlin hero Marcel Dettmann. It was a new hair cut for the Berghain resident, but business as usual as he delivered driving electronic techno that set the pace for the rest of the day in the loud and dark warehouse. It was a journey delivered from a man really at the top of his game.
From Dettmann and the Closer stage I decided to make my way through the masses to the main stage to catch Alan Fitzpatrick and then finally Drumcode head honcho, Adam Beyer close out the festival. What can I say that hasn't already been said about Fitzpatrick and Beyer? Every time I see them play they never fail to deliver and this festival was no different, 6 hours from Drumcode’s finest. I really didn't want it to end and being immersed in such an amazing crowd at such an incredible venue really enhanced the experience of seeing these two techno masters at work once again.
As with all good parties, there is an after-party and the LWE and Drumcode boys hadn’t let us down this time, but on a day where sport lost one of its greatest heavyweight boxing champions it was perhaps fitting that two of techno’s heavyweights were lined up to go toe-to-toe, Alan Fitzpatrick and Adam Beyer went back to back all night, matching each other blow-by-blow as they traded techno bombs.
Studio Spaces is loud, hot and dark, just what the doctor ordered for a techno after party. It was a special night and both DJs were enjoying themselves as much as the loyal Drumcode army. In fact everyone was enjoying themselves so much they kept the club open an extra hour, playing old classics and new Drumcode music. It was the perfect way to end an incredible day and a big congratulations must go out to LWE and Drumcode on an excellent event. We hope to see this in the calendar for many years to come.