Rockness 2008 Review © PFD50
The Venue
Well what can I say about the location of Rockness. It rocks!
Set amongst the fantastic Scottish hills with views right down over the loch really makes you proud to be Scottish and means even more when you've suffered a misarable weekend in Glastonbury. The tress surrounding the campsite keep the wind down a bit and the campsite is pretty close to both the parking and the main festival area.
People from Manchester camped next to us said it was worth the money just for the location.
The bands/Dj's who we saw.
Hercules and Love Affair. Main Stage Saturday
Great act from New York who really brought the festival to live with thier unique style of "LIVE" funky house music. They have a lot of gigs lined up all over the UK festival scene this year so check them out if you can.
Guys keep the tounges in the mouth when the lead singer comes back out with her little black number on.
Rating 4/5
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The Crystal Method. Main Stage Saturday
What can we say about these two? Totally whacky, or maybe, just whacked out. They really did have fun on stage as they took the early evening crowd on a techno, knob twisting journey that was liable to explode at every opportinity. I heard a lot of people talk The Crystal Method up after the performance and rightly so. So different from the preceeding act yey it took only minutes for the crowd to catch thier groove.
I did hear a few mistakes in the mixing but they looked so out of it on the big screens that I'll give them that.
Rating 4/5
********************************
Pete Tong. Fat Sams Saturday
The old dog still has it in him to woo a crowd and well done to him for turning up when his new night in Ibiza must be taking up a lot of his time. I'm guessing this was the main reason for the 7pm start.
Had a big crowd in the tent for his set and boy did it bounce when he threw down "Robin S" - "Show me Love" towards the end of his set.
Rating 3/5
********************************
Fat Boy Slim. Main Stage Saturday
Having seen Fat Boy at Glasto last year I never thought this gig would be the same and I was right. Too much of the same style that seemed to be belting out from all the arenas at the same time on the Saturday night and not emough anthems. I much prefer FBS in a club environment so was relieved when the other folks with me had had enough and we decided to move on.
Rating 2/5
********************************
Eclectic Method. Soco Social Saturday
One of the weekends highlights for me and a great surprise. Video mixing at it's best in here and very, as the name suggests, "Eclectic". I'm not a great lover of rap but these guys know how to use it to the best of it's abitity. Coupled with great house beats and the ocassional Stevie Wonder, Jackson 5 anthem thrown in this really was a set to remember and surley one of dance musics rising stars. Really needing pushed towards a main stage set Eclectic Method are worth the watching, as well as the listening to.
Rating 5/5
********************************
Underworld. Clash Arena Sunday
Waiting about outside this area on Sunday and the tent was pretty empty when we decided to hit the toilet just before Underworld got going. Much to our disappointment the area was closed when we got back but we soon averted a disaster by following another couple in through the side. The security chased them, we saw our chance and took it.
What started off promising soon turned into a self indulgent walk through of the Underwork back catalouge but for some reason they seemed reluctant to let it go and play hit after hit. We stayed half an hour then headed towards the bright light of The Orb
Rating 2/5
********************************
The Orb. Sunday Best (I think)
When you start a set with "Loving you, is easy cause your beautifull" and the crowd, at least those who were there, goes wild you know your in the right place. Lots of changes in style and rythm mean you never know whats coming next only that with The Orb it will be good. They did not dissapoint and thanks must go Alex Patterson and the guys for a great closing set in this tent.
Really glad we made it to The Orb as they don't play too often compared to 2MDJ's and the likes. If you missed them make sure it's in your diary for next tim.
Rating 4/5
********************************
Graeme Park Rizla+ Van Sunday
Was looking forward to this anyway and the main man never dissapoints. The Rizla + van had some great names all weekend and it was fitting that they chose to end with ex Haciender resident Mr. Park. I've heard it said the great DJ's don't play all the newest tunes the play the best of the last 30 years and this is what you get from Graeame Park. All your old house favorites making an appearance and of course smattered with New Orders Blue Monday and other great tunes from the past. 2 songs from the End and a great track choice when "THis is the End" came in. For us it was the end for the summer it's just the start.
Rating 5/5
********************************
********************************
Campsite
Wow, what an atmosphere on Friday night. It really did build up over the preceeding few hours and by 2am it was rocking every 20 yards in the campsite. The rain hanpered celebrations a bit but at least made sure we hit our tents ready for the Saturday.
A lot of mess was left lying around and perhaps the organisers need to have more bins around the place to help stop this. Ground to camp on was good and the toilets were kept really well for a festival and the organisers should be congratulated for this. Well Done.
Vendors
Buying tokens is crap and having to wait an hour for a back machine even worse. Get it sorted folks and allow people to bring thier own drinks into the main areas. They have already bought tickets.
Overall
I'd recommend Rockness (or was it Rockmess) to everyone into dance/electronic music. The setting is 2nd to none and it's going to get bigger.
Rating 4/5
The Venue
Well what can I say about the location of Rockness. It rocks!
Set amongst the fantastic Scottish hills with views right down over the loch really makes you proud to be Scottish and means even more when you've suffered a misarable weekend in Glastonbury. The tress surrounding the campsite keep the wind down a bit and the campsite is pretty close to both the parking and the main festival area.
People from Manchester camped next to us said it was worth the money just for the location.
The bands/Dj's who we saw.
Hercules and Love Affair. Main Stage Saturday
Great act from New York who really brought the festival to live with thier unique style of "LIVE" funky house music. They have a lot of gigs lined up all over the UK festival scene this year so check them out if you can.
Guys keep the tounges in the mouth when the lead singer comes back out with her little black number on.
Rating 4/5
********************************
The Crystal Method. Main Stage Saturday
What can we say about these two? Totally whacky, or maybe, just whacked out. They really did have fun on stage as they took the early evening crowd on a techno, knob twisting journey that was liable to explode at every opportinity. I heard a lot of people talk The Crystal Method up after the performance and rightly so. So different from the preceeding act yey it took only minutes for the crowd to catch thier groove.
I did hear a few mistakes in the mixing but they looked so out of it on the big screens that I'll give them that.
Rating 4/5
********************************
Pete Tong. Fat Sams Saturday
The old dog still has it in him to woo a crowd and well done to him for turning up when his new night in Ibiza must be taking up a lot of his time. I'm guessing this was the main reason for the 7pm start.
Had a big crowd in the tent for his set and boy did it bounce when he threw down "Robin S" - "Show me Love" towards the end of his set.
Rating 3/5
********************************
Fat Boy Slim. Main Stage Saturday
Having seen Fat Boy at Glasto last year I never thought this gig would be the same and I was right. Too much of the same style that seemed to be belting out from all the arenas at the same time on the Saturday night and not emough anthems. I much prefer FBS in a club environment so was relieved when the other folks with me had had enough and we decided to move on.
Rating 2/5
********************************
Eclectic Method. Soco Social Saturday
One of the weekends highlights for me and a great surprise. Video mixing at it's best in here and very, as the name suggests, "Eclectic". I'm not a great lover of rap but these guys know how to use it to the best of it's abitity. Coupled with great house beats and the ocassional Stevie Wonder, Jackson 5 anthem thrown in this really was a set to remember and surley one of dance musics rising stars. Really needing pushed towards a main stage set Eclectic Method are worth the watching, as well as the listening to.
Rating 5/5
********************************
Underworld. Clash Arena Sunday
Waiting about outside this area on Sunday and the tent was pretty empty when we decided to hit the toilet just before Underworld got going. Much to our disappointment the area was closed when we got back but we soon averted a disaster by following another couple in through the side. The security chased them, we saw our chance and took it.
What started off promising soon turned into a self indulgent walk through of the Underwork back catalouge but for some reason they seemed reluctant to let it go and play hit after hit. We stayed half an hour then headed towards the bright light of The Orb
Rating 2/5
********************************
The Orb. Sunday Best (I think)
When you start a set with "Loving you, is easy cause your beautifull" and the crowd, at least those who were there, goes wild you know your in the right place. Lots of changes in style and rythm mean you never know whats coming next only that with The Orb it will be good. They did not dissapoint and thanks must go Alex Patterson and the guys for a great closing set in this tent.
Really glad we made it to The Orb as they don't play too often compared to 2MDJ's and the likes. If you missed them make sure it's in your diary for next tim.
Rating 4/5
********************************
Graeme Park Rizla+ Van Sunday
Was looking forward to this anyway and the main man never dissapoints. The Rizla + van had some great names all weekend and it was fitting that they chose to end with ex Haciender resident Mr. Park. I've heard it said the great DJ's don't play all the newest tunes the play the best of the last 30 years and this is what you get from Graeame Park. All your old house favorites making an appearance and of course smattered with New Orders Blue Monday and other great tunes from the past. 2 songs from the End and a great track choice when "THis is the End" came in. For us it was the end for the summer it's just the start.
Rating 5/5
********************************
********************************
Campsite
Wow, what an atmosphere on Friday night. It really did build up over the preceeding few hours and by 2am it was rocking every 20 yards in the campsite. The rain hanpered celebrations a bit but at least made sure we hit our tents ready for the Saturday.
A lot of mess was left lying around and perhaps the organisers need to have more bins around the place to help stop this. Ground to camp on was good and the toilets were kept really well for a festival and the organisers should be congratulated for this. Well Done.
Vendors
Buying tokens is crap and having to wait an hour for a back machine even worse. Get it sorted folks and allow people to bring thier own drinks into the main areas. They have already bought tickets.
Overall
I'd recommend Rockness (or was it Rockmess) to everyone into dance/electronic music. The setting is 2nd to none and it's going to get bigger.
Rating 4/5