The night started off slowly, with the overzealous fans queuing up from the doors’ opening at 10pm. Gradually, more people began to roll in, and soon enough several hundred people were in the club, drinking and cheering for their favorite DJ, Westwood, who would heed their call and at 10:30 sharp appear on stage. There was a buzz around the dimly lit club as everyone waited in anticipation to hear which song would grace our ears first. Would it be Eminem? Would it be Lil’ Wayne? Would it be Jay-Z? We were not disappointed, as Westwood kick started his set with a dubstep remix of Rihanna’s You Da One.
Westwood continued to amaze the crowd, fuelling their excitement with an array of R’n’B, Hip-Hop and dubstep songs, his energy clearly transferred to every one of his fans. His engagement with the crowd was pleasing to see, getting everyone to mimic the arm waving action of ‘left, right, left, right.’ Westwood knew exactly what to do in order to get the audience ready for the main event, and after two and a half hours of non-stop dance music he cut the music and introduced the Swedish sensation who is Basshunter.
The lights cut out, and with a sudden burst of sparklers Basshunter appeared on stage, running from left to right as if he had drunk one too many of his energy drinks. Stopping, finally, to interact with the audience. He brought a new level of liveliness to the crowd with girls screaming their love for the Swede and demanding to be place on their friend’s shoulders with a hope of being noticed by the star. His love for music and his fans was truly revealed during his time on stage as he displayed passion and zest throughout. He only paused his set to ask the audience what they would like to hear, All I Ever Wanted or Now You’re Gone. He was a true crowd-pleaser.
However, the night ended as the name of the event suggested, in a Riot. Some fans argued, which turned in to fighting, which turned into a full out brawl with an undesirable outcome of broken noses. Police cars and ambulances queued outside the club, rather than the usual line of taxis. Eventually I was able to return home, only to find Basshunter and his manager sat on my couch.
He was already drinking a fresh bottle of vodka by the time I returned home, and the only word to describe the situation: chaotic. Some friends caught wind of the party at my house and decided to pop in, vodka in hand, and join Basshunter in partying until 6am. Jumping on couches, playing drinking games and singing at the top of his voice, to his own songs, the man did indeed live up to his wild reputation.
When the Police came and kicked everyone out our house it was finally time for bed. But not before Basshunter, the gentleman he is, signed our staircase and doors.
