Monthly newspaper and online publication targeting 18 to 35 year olds. The ultimate guide to the hottest parties, going out and having fun. Music, fashion, film, travel, festivals, technology, comedy, and parties! London, Barcelona, Miami and Ibiza.
Issue link: http://read.uberflip.com/i/803298
CRITICAL SOUND LONDON - 15 YEARS OF UNDERGROUND SONICS Early March opened Critical's 15th birthday celebrations, kicking off at South London's Electric Brixton. A huge landmark for one the scene's leading taste makers, Critical Music threw a party that stood testament to the legacy it's been building for over a decade. Inside the venue there's a buzz in the air, everyone knows this is something special. This ain't your usual Critical party, it's a celebration of a drum & bass institution, which from day one has kept itself at the front line of the ever changing drum & bass scene. It was the imprint's biggest London event to date and as such featured many members of the Critical family & friends. Opening was the label regular, Hyroglifics, followed by the Brighton trio, Klax. Two acts that sum up the Critical ethos, hard hitting industrial vibes with an avant-garde approach to production. Come midnight the first big back to back special hit the stage. A mammoth set from Breakage, Chimpo and Sam Binga meant the club got turned upside down. The three took turns hammering out wonky half time beats to an all too eager crowd. This is what Critical all about, the freshest tunes at the cutting edge of drum & bass. The hour went way too fast, and before we knew it, it was time for the Critical bossman himself. Kasra kept the energy up as he started his set. He executed a perfect mix that was filled to the brim with Critical classics and current bangers. A packed Electric Brixton saluted their hero of the night, Kasra - who crammed over a decade of work into an unforgettable set. By the end of Kasra's set the club was on another level, but things were about to get serious. Hitting the stage next were two mad back to back sets, first was European juggernaut Mejfus going head to head with Manchester based Emperor, who both turned it up to eleven. Their twisted neuorfunk laden set was followed by Critical's Russian ambassador Enei rinsing it out with Foreign Concept. Ivy Lab then took their turn and confirmed why they are one of London's hottest acts right now. They hammered the Electric Brixton with a mad set before handing over to closing act, Current Value. For one night the Electic Brixton turned into a mecca for London's dedicated Critical Music heads - from start to finish every name on the bill had a link to the label, making the night a lot more special. The night went through the labels rich history and hinted to what we can expect in the future. 15 years Critical has been smashing it and this night was the peak! This was the night that opened up the year of big parties for Critical, who mark their landmark year - and as their party on March 3rd proved, they ain't nowhere near done yet. 2017 / ISSUE 97 DRUM & BASS 39