By now mood in the campsite was hugely different. The heat was extraordinary, so tents – used simply as a changing room from day one – made way for a spot on the bank overlooking the man-made beach that adorned the river. It was a case of sleep where you drop for many as the heat kicked and the dust took its toil on everyone. The English festival uniform is simple this year; cammo shorts, vest, dark shades and a light splash of sunburn. Now hopefully that’s just put that tosser Gok Wan out of business; make your cheques payable to...
All of the twenty-odd stages at Exit have amazing sound systems and the layout is such that you can have a dance on the way past without getting a different tune in each ear. One of the smaller stages was the Radio FM AS Stage, which was placed just round the corner from the main entrance. Housing local DJs on floor level with the crowd it made for an amazing party atmosphere early on in the night. Saturday was no exception as the local talents treated an absolutely packed square to some uplifting Balearic beats. Vocals were in the minority in the Dance Arena and limbs were beginning to tire so the crowd really appreciated some uplifting house on day three of this marathon festival.
High Contrast took to the main Arena with his cohort MC Wrec just after 4am and playing his natural blend of intelligent D’n’B he showed why he was on the ‘Main Stage’ rather than on one of the dance stages. Playing remixes of Kanye West’s ‘Golddigger,’ as well as Axwell’s ‘Found You’ and Utah Saint’s ‘Something Good,’ he possesses a rare talent in that he makes drum and bass more accessible without cheapening it. His was a really great party set and put firmly into the shade Afrika Bambaataa that preceded him, who chose a DJ set that included Fatman Scoop and House of Pain’s ‘Jump Around.’ It is obvious who puts time into their set and Bambaataa really could not be arsed.
Axwell managed to be both soulful and dark at the same time as well as being both bassy and airy, which is no mean feat. His set included his own track ‘Everybody Wants To Know’ as well as the classic ‘3 Drives’ tune. Danny Tenaglia’s ‘Music Is The Answer’ sealed it as set of the day before Tom Novy took the reigns at half 6. He began with some pumping basslines that was quite unexpected before shifting smoothly into the kind of uplifting house that is perfect for sunrise and of which he is a master. A remix of ‘Toca’s Miracle’ led the way for ‘Smack My Bitch Up’ and ‘Rhythm Is A Dancer.’ Playing last isn’t just about technical mixing, it’s about keeping the crowd with you which he did, thanks in part to regular conversation on the mic. A remix of Robert Miles’ ‘Children’ kept everybody buzzing before Lionel Ritchie’s ‘Easy Like A Sunday Morning’ finished things off. It was Sunday morning and it was oh so easy.
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