First BF In over A year, a few changes I noticed

[Jemo]

Right, finally back to work on Monday and now in a sane and clear mind to write this

First of all absolutely amazing music, I had never heard Duran Duran Duran before but they knocked me sideways and more, the music allround was amazing, didnt actually leave the front unless to get a drink ... Andy C was also great, hope he enjoyed himself, especially in a club so Intimate ... I think Duran Duran Duran back to back with Andy C rolled nicely together. ..

It had been my first Bangface since Oct/Nov/Dec 2006 when they first opened the 2nd room as I have just moved back down from Leeds and I think a few things have changed that I just wanted to share with you all to see your opinions on this ...

First of all I think the crowd has definitely changed, I remember BF having a very Dirty feel to it, abit squatty, more hippy's and more alternative .. In some ways a more 'up for it' vibe, don't get me wrong, there were still people that were deffo 'up for it' but I still couldn't help feeling that the crowd had calmed down over the last year ... far less obviously spangled people who were more interested in there hair getting out of place that letting go and having a crazy time ...

I also think it was a shame to see how many people didn't make an effort to actually make there own rave banners, bring toys, and wear something in line with the theme, instead with the organisers giving rave banners, horns, and masks to the audience to spice up up a bit. I also did not make the effort, however after seeing this, I have made an oath to do so and take along lots of instrumentals and toys to try and spread the love abit.

After getting over that initial impression I got down to business as usual up the front bouncing away, getting involved in the mash pit (which usually comprises of getting stood on as I am a short ass :-p ) had a few inflatables and was hitting everyone and visa versa, and I hit this girl on the head who was at the front right next to the mash pit, there was a group of them, and one comes over, fresh faced wee little thing - surprised she was let out at that time TBH , and starts getting in my face telling me to apologise to her friend, I said 'what' and pressed my ear to hear her ( I was at the front and it was loud ) she started saying you can hear me, 'apologise, apologise' .. ' I just laughed and said to her, ' its a fuckin inflatable, it doesn't hurt, get a fuckin grip and have some fun and stop being so anal, if you don't want to be hit by a toy don't stand at the front' saying this whilst her friend was hitting me in the head with one which I found quite ironic, but enjoyable .. her little posse of friends walked away then ...


For me after being told that kind of epitomised the feeling I had got before at how the crowd has changed, I couldn't quite believe my ears and definitely did not expect to hear something like that at bangface ... its a shame ... I had a good time and I did meet one or two cool people, and will be back next month as for me it still is one of the great nights of London, I just cant help feeling sad at how I think it has changed .... ( I also preferred it when the dj's wernt playing on the stage, or so deep in it .... )

[bf_tabardcrew]

things have definitely changed...

i miss all the rave energy being concentrated in one room and think the crowd is definitely less up for it. but things got really bad before last summer when it seemed everyone was way too young and there were casualties a go-go (i missed a couple after that - too pissed off).

but then things don't stay the same forever. i know i make less of an effort than i used to (i used to make stickers to hand out, which was much fun. never been big into the dressing, tho. except tabards.).

i'm still a committed banger (and i like to think of myself as a veteran, after nearly 20 nights) but i've made the decision when i start spending all night moaning about how 'its not as good as it once was', then its time to stop showing up (i think a few of my friends have made this decision after friday). but for now i still have a great time to some great music with some brilliant people.

[Jemo]

I wonder what St. Acids take is on this ... ?

I also think it is down to too many rooms being open and it not being concentrated as you say .. part of me has this feeling it is to cash in with more revenue rather than to enhance the night, as I think it has diluted it instead ... though I could be totally wrong so definently dont take that as kosher, I just hope it aint the case ...

but yes, still great music and Idea, I still havnt found anything like it, so will be there next month raving away ...

[ThE99THReDBallooN]

ive never been when it was just the one room but i do like the choice of going to have a gander at the other room if you get trapped listening to dubstep or something
again i have only been to the last 4/5 but i seem to have an amazin time with people down the front who are loving it but it does get a bit sparse towards the back i spose

but tabard said it best
"i still have a great time to some great music with some brilliant people."

its deffo the best night i have ever been to ever & ive met some of the most up for it quality people ever

[PaulX]

It's an interesting review, Jemo, I think I might put a link to it on the menu. Or maybe even have it up as a proper web page.

As for the points being made, it's a shame you feel it's lost something. I went to my first Electrowerkz BF in December and loved it. I think I did notice that the vibe wasn't quite as non-judgemental as you and others said it was a year ago, but still wasn't bad. It doesn't feel like it's been 'discovered' (and therefore ruined) by Nathan Barley types yet, but I can understand why you might feel it's lost something.

This is all interesting stuff as I'm in the process of doing a big article on BF and its head honcho right now. How do you feel about the concept of 'neo-rave'? Do you think there's such a thing developing outside of BF or do you feel it's just a BF gimmick like the inflatables and the banners?

[boki]

I think things have changed a little with a lot of younger folks getting into it, but I also think that'll sort itself out - those that are into the vibe will come back for more and the others will stay away. I like it being in two rooms - I think that's just the right size and it gives you a little escape if you're not feeling the music in one room. I know St Acid was apprehensive about doing three rooms for the xmas party and that it wasn't likely to stay that big, and though that night was a lot of fun, it was a bit of a blur what with my tendency to wander around.

The dressing up has definitely slacked off a bit, but some themes are a lot easier to do than others and I found this last one a bit too vague really. I must admit, the only times I've really followed the theme have been when it's been pretty easy to do (the gangster theme was particularly easy - just changed shirt and tie from my work clothes!). I wouldn't really want to go to a whole ton of trouble to see something end up ruined by the Elektrowerkz sludge, tbh!

I think the other thing to consider is that a good Bang Face is a hell of an act to follow! Your best BF experience is bound to stand head and shoulders above anything else, really, and could even make an 'ok' one pale. I'm sure the Weekender will have a fantastic vibe to it, as it's gonna be filled with people who are up for three whole days of this mentalism, and is going to attract BF-minded souls who perhaps wouldn't ordinarily go to London for a club night.

[jacques_ct]

I'm a definite new comer to bangface, having just moved to London this year, first one for me was in November, and that was mainly to see OVS.
I did notice a lot of "scene kids" there this time around, which definitely doesn't really fit with the whole theme of bangface, but it's probably just that as more people find out about this, more of these people are going to come.
As for the dressing up part, I'm not a fan of dressing up in general, but i'll happily get me tits out and stick glowsticks through pieces of metal attached to myself, and have glowstick spread all over me if people feel like doing so.

[bf_tabardcrew]

i'm scared about bang face becoming over-intellectualised and elitist. which leads to the death of (or removes all the fun from) so many electronic/dance music scenes (cf. warp poseurs and techno bores*)

we can't have a Bang Face suitability test on the door and we must accept that what makes us love the place also makes the place attractive to those who we perhaps wouldn't like there.

i like to think a lot of people are getting neo- and nu-rave confused (oh how confused they must be!) and that soon Bang Face will have gained a lot of support from people who came, who heard, who banged and will loose the deadwood. but if it doesn't and we have to say goodbye - well then, then we can say... 'thank you for the music. the songs i'm singing. thanks for all the joy they're bringing'

but let's not write a eulogy yet! neo-rave and bang face is far from over. next stop, the mind of a genius!

*i'm not saying anything against the music/artists or you (and myself) as a fan. just that element that's stuck up its own arse.

[PaulX]

i like to think a lot of people are getting neo- and nu-rave confused (oh how confused they must be!) and that soon Bang Face will have gained a lot of support from people who came, who heard, who banged and will loose the deadwood.

It's funny you should say that, as the first draft of my BF article spells out the difference between neo- and nu-rave in no uncertain terms...

[boki]

'nu-rave' is about done now, isn't it? Doesn't seem to be a big deal anymore.