Having agreed to review this gig I failed to notice the set times on the event page, then when I did I thought it was a typo. 11pm until 4 am, How will I stay awake to the end?
I was lucky to have first seen Slamboree at Forgotten Fields 2015 and even then I thought they should have been further up on the bill. Self professed (Soundcloud) as 'Pyro Circus Rave Massive' they do what they say on the tin. A collective of performers that mix music with amazing visuals and circus style entertainment.
As I drove past C2 I saw around 50 people out the back in the smoking area dressed in Burlesque/ carnival outfits through to casual wear and I already felt under dressed for the event. The venue was split into 2 rooms, the front (room 2) was DJ Komodo in the bar area keeping the punters busy with some electro swing beats. Jugglebug were entertaining in between sets with their glowing hoops, balls and juggling pins that just added to the carnival atmosphere.
The audience in the main room at this SOLD OUT gig, already warmed up from a mix of drum and bass/techno/electro beats by local DJ Dan Stoves, and the engaging Drenalin MC were like kids fed with skittles bouncing off the walls. All they wanted was to dance and have fun.
Gramski introduced the headliners with a short rap and beatbox which led into the opening track ‘Shellshock’ as the girls marched on stage dressed in army attire. The lighting, atmospheric, the crowd looked on with anticipation and trepidation as the stage filled with the entourage. Kathika Rabbit took centre stage and we knew she was in charge tonight and every night.
As the first song ended the crowd knew what they were in for and showed they were staying for main course and dessert by lifting the roof with their raw energy. 'Drop It’ was visually enhanced by Sophia with hula hoop and grace, almost like a ballerina in a music box on her podium. To the opposite extreme 'Full Force' introduced the deadly Aurora Starr wielding swords like an assassin culminating with her arched face down curling her leg over her head, sword between toes in a scorpion-like pose.
Beans On Toast joins the stage for his guest appearances on 'Death Of A Festival' and the epic 'Reasons Why I Dance'. You can see the whole entourage love performing together, tight knit to the point any errors are misdirected by another performer.
Other acts tonight were; Adelina Shay the Queen of Hearts Sideshow stapling cards to her cheek (rear) and hammering nails up her nose. Creepy Pete dominated by Livvie and Lizzie during 'Greyhound’ and then flossing a condom through his mouth and nasal cavity.
Culminating with geishas, and skeletons before finishing with 'Amelie' the audience did not fade nor drop their enthusiasm. Mike Freear, the glue that held the tones, mixing the setlist into each other was the sublime strength that kept the set flowing much like Liam Howlett but with more smiles and mirroring the awe from the audience. For Slamboree's first headline gig in Brighton it is safe to say they have found their second home. Much appreciation to Kim Harrington from her new promotion Carnival Brighton for putting together this huge event and making the atmosphere pretty special, I know it was the first child of many. It's now 3am, I am still awake and left wanting more, Until next time Brighton....
Setlist:
Shellshock
Drop It
Feels It Going
Full Force
X Factory
Greyhound
Death of a Festival
Revolution
Reasons Why I Dance
Bad Machine
Typecast
I Hate Myself
MAB
Wisp
Amelie
FUTURE GIGS
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