Field Maneuvers proved that the UK's rave spirit is alive and well

Mark Archer b2b Jerome Hill – Sputnik Dome, Saturday

As the rain continued to fall on Saturday night following Throwing Shade’s set, Mark Archer and Jerome Hill took a different tack in bringing the heat. Rather than evoking tropical destinations through foreign sounds, they created their own micro-climate with the searing energy of the old skool UK rave anthems that punctuated their set. While outside it was dewy and cold, entering through the door flap into the chaotic Sputnik Dome was like crossing a border between worlds. It revealed a debauched rave Land of Oz with acid house smiley balloons being punched through the air and sweat dripping from the ceiling, before quickly evaporating again from the gyrating bodies below. Toto, I’ve a feeling we’re not in Oxford anymore.

Ben UFO b2b Elgato – Potala Palace, Saturday

Last time we saw Ben UFO he was playing to thousands of people, back-to-back with Joy Orbison, on the colossal main stage at Dekmantel deep witihin the Amsterdam forest. Looking down at my feet in Potala Palace on Saturday night to see the slightly sodden, muddy carpet lining the floor of Field Maneuvers’ own version of a main stage, it’s certainly not as glamorous a setting, but the compact crowd of no more than 150 people makes the atmosphere more thrilling than in the spacious open-air. This time the Hessle Audio honcho was joined by his signee Elgato, who added a murky, garage-led direction to proceedings. R.I.P Production’s ‘Oh Baby’ marked a highlight, while Ben went on typically broad tangents, with minimal from Melchior and grooves from Glenn Underground.