Skye Hi at Homelands - a personal view

Homelands England 2000 review

When asked for his comments on our festival scene Moby said 'I'm impressed with the fortitude of the European festival goer'.

Well let me tell you it is something to be admired. We partied through the night, through the rain, through the mud, and we came out smiling - well I know I did. Here's how my night panned out...

Having watched Manchild, Sister Bliss, Groove Armada and Leftfield it was time to put down my pen and paper and head off out into the... er... rain. So it was getting very muddy. Most people were prepared with jackets and boots so lets just carry on regardless. This seemed to be the mood with mostly everyone. The outside music had to close down early but there were still plenty of indoor arenas.

You know what it's like with so much choice - you just can't decide between them and end up wandering from one place to another before finally settling in anywhere. It was now after the midnight hour and we decided to check out Subterrain/Ultimate Base where Carl Cox was playing. The light show in here was my all time favourite huge green laser which was fanning out over the crowd who were well pleased with the music which was banging techno in true Carl Cox fashion. But this was relentless and I wasn't ready for that yet. So on into the Slinky (as in toy on the stairs) arena which was heaving. The decor was sort of draped hot air balloon hanging from the ceiling. It looked very cosy, the music was pumping house, and it seemed good, but this was still not what I was after.

Out into the.... er.... rain and across to Back2Basics/High Rise/Deep South arena where there was certainly more room but what was going on. Everyone seemed to be wondering because the DJ looked like he couldn't be arsed!!! Straight out of there and we stumbled through the Ministry House Party. What a happy place this seemed to be. All smiling faces and a relaxed funky tune going down but we were only passing through, taking time to appreciate the huge chandelier made out of clear plastic spoons- smart.

Next stop the Essential Mix arena - could this be it? - I think it could. Pete Tong was on followed by John Digweed and Sasha and the crowd were well up for getting heard on the live broadcast. We squeezed our way through into the middle where there was just enough room for us. There were party people here alright and the music spot on trance and easy to get with. Looking around I noticed quite a few guys who had dressed up for this one, they had the crazy spiky hair, they had the light up crazy glasses and clothes to suit - respect to you guys.

I quite lost myself in the music over the next few hours and also managed to lose my jacket with keys and other essentials. Boy, was that a freaky ten minutes - if you've had a similar experience you'll know. Part of me thinking there is no way I was going to find it and the consequences of that, and the other part finding it rather hard to worry about anything in my present state of mind. However I did retrace my steps at ground level, through the muddy ground and legs and I bloody found it! What were the chances of that??!!

So I was completely happy again and able to continue my night adventure with Paul Van Dyk on the decks. Unfortunately the side speakers had gone bang and were out of action so we moved right up front. What a master. How can I describe this? I know he played Born Slippy early on and sent the crowd wild and the rest was simply perfect mixing taking us up, out and back in again. These thoughts came to me during the set.

Twisting my brain, roll it into a ball
Curl it around, feel it cosy and small
Then explosions, and bang Rainbow showers pouring down
God let me tell you..... I love this man.

Thank you Paul Van Dyk.

It was all over but what a night it had been. We wandered outside and yes, it was..... er...... raining, and yes, lots of mud, and now that you mention it there's a river flowing through the middle of the arena! But remember as Moby said - our fortitude is impressive and we'll party regardless.

Until the next time,