I'm a disabled
first year mature student at Aberystwyth University. I'd been looking
forward to the Blackhouse event in the Students' Union for a few
weeks. My taste in music drifts towards mainstream, so the artists
names might as well have been in a foreign language, because I had no
prior knowledge of them or their work.
I was initially
drawn to the event for the Retro Games Lounge provided by Dubtendo,
which didn't disappoint. I got to play loads of games I had not
played since I was a child. I set the high score in the eighties
classic Duck Hunt for the NES, it felt like I was in a Zen like duck
killing trance, I got to level seven as my mates cheered me on. We
eventually moved on to some of the other games, on some of the other
retro platforms provided by Dubtendo. I schooled some young guns in
the classic art of Street Fighter on the SNES and battled it out in
Super Smash Bros. and Mario Kart Double Dash on the Gamecube, whilst
a girl dressed as Princess Peach wandered round ensuring no drinks
were spilt on the games consoles. https://www.facebook.com/dubtendouk/?fref=ts
Having this
time to chill out helped me build up confidence to go and socialize.
I checked out the Ska-Rum-Bar and strutted across the dance floor
like Christopher Walken in that Fatboy-Slim music video. Then headed
out to the fenced off smoking section via the Grand Bazaar which had
a sweet stall provided Issacs and a really funky clothing stall
provided by Ruby-Jane Textiles, plus hot food provided by Pasta
Pronto. I got some Monterey jack and spring onion goujons which was a
tasty way to soak up some of the booze I'd drank. https://www.facebook.com/skarumbahifisound/?fref=ts
https://www.facebook.com/RubyJaneTextiles/?fref=ts https://www.facebook.com/Isaacs-Traditional-Sweet-Shop-Aberystwyth-137943229556229/?fref=ts
Chatting
outside with the rest of the smokers is always great. I bumped into
friends I hadn't seen in years and even managed to mend some fences
and heal some old wounds. There was such an overwhelmingly positive
atmosphere throughout the venue. I hit the main room and checked out
the MC's. The fat bass lines had the place bouncing, as the crowd
swayed and screamed. It was almost like being in the 8-Mile or
Straight Out Of Compton Movie, these performers riled up the crowd
with their dynamic energy and rhythmic flow. The stage set up looked
amazing, seeing the performers and the crowd dancing felt like
watching a big budget feature film.
By chance I
ended up chatting with some of the DJ's. I downed vodka shots and got
some life advice from Aphrodite. We had a bit in common having ties
to both Aberystwyth and London. He took his stage name from a club he
ran back in 1988, the year I was born. I didn't know who he was till
people started coming up to him and asking to pose for photos. I
kinda felt like an ignorant infidel in a place of worship. Here was
this accomplished, ground breaking legend chatting with a nobody like
me and telling me to call him Gavin, it was amazing getting the
opportunity to talk to the man on a personal level. http://www.aphro.co.uk/aphro/index.html https://www.facebook.com/djaphrodite/
I had many
random deep conversations, I chatted with Eddy Scissorhands about
philosophy, politics, and technological evolution. I spent so much
time chatting to people that I missed a lot of the music. I did
manage to squeeze up to the front of the mosh pit for the Kontrol
takeover at 3am. The room was still packed, but had thinned slightly
giving more room to jump around like a hyperactive lunatic. Some
random dude borrowed my hat then jumped the barrier and climbed on
stage to dance. The security swooped in and nabbed him straight-away.
He didn't get booted out of the venue, just got a warning, and I
managed to get my hat back. Some of the back stage crew went up on
stage and had a dance off. This guy with dreads and a vintage Teenage
Mutant Ninja Turtles t-shirt who I spoke to earlier versus the female
artist from Mixed Media 14. Because the guy was wearing a turtles
t-shirt, I was reminded of the old-school Turtles movie with the
vanilla ice track. Everyone was dancing and getting really hyped up,
I throw up my hands and bop my head and shout “Go Ninja, Go Ninja
Go”. http://kontroltv.com/ https://www.facebook.com/eddyscissorhandsaber/?fref=ts
It was one of
the most interesting and intellectually stimulating nights I have
experienced in recent memory. It was just a shame it had to end so
soon. I didn't get much of a chance to check out the House Party
room, but the eighties inspired layout looked awesome, with the
electronically lit dance square, and disco ball. The space was
totally transformed from how I am familiar with it, as I usually use
it as a venue for playing table top role playing games with some of my
university friends.
It was like a
whole festival experience condensed and distilled into one incredible
night, it could have gone on for twice as long and I still don't
think I could have savoured everything on offer to the senses at this
event. There was a strong police presence outside the venue and
enough St. Johns medics to treat an army inside. I spoke to one of
the police officers before heading home who said it had been a real
quite night. No trouble, he said he would have preferred to have been
out an had a few pints himself. Having St. Johns present in the venue
was very comforting, I had actually done a basic first responder
course with them last year as part of Save A Life September. I don't
think their was any serious medical emergencies, just a case of them
making sure people stayed hydrated whilst they danced around the hot
venue. There was also a drugs awareness advocate their to talk to
people, the whole event was a positive way of interacting with the
community. For someone with autism who struggles with social anxiety,
it was a refreshing change of pace to just feel normal, if only for a
few short hours anyway.
Awesome review Jamie. Thanks for all the positive feedback R.E Dubtendo. Sounded like you had a wicked night- catch you at the next one! Jake .. Dubtendo
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