Netsky & Sub Focus at The O2 Academy, Bournemouth

January saw drum & bass affair, Bedlam, return to the O2 Academy in Boscombe once again. After a run of successful events, the dance music night returned with yet another tip top lineup. Bedlam has already played host to some of the country’s most superlative acts within dnb, garage and bassline, and this time it was the turn of drum & bass heavyweights Netsky and Sub Focus to show off what they can deliver. Bedlam never fails to impress and has cemented itself as one of Bournemouth’s best musical events. Event organisers have made sure Bedlam is constantly a sellout success; delivering on the acts that play and the simplicity of a no-frills club experience.

This rings true for the latest edition of Bedlam. Bassline producer DJ Q warmed up the crowd with a genre-blurring set spanning garage, drum & bass and bassline. The fast pace style, heavy drum beats and quirky bassline melodies ensured the night’s bar was set high.

It was the set from Sub Focus though that dominated this edition of Bedlam. The DJ has built a reputation on producing quality lyrical drum & bass tracks, releasing his debut album ‘Torus’ in 2013. The pace of the evening was ramped up, swinging onlookers into a full dnb experience and once again securing Bedlam a top space as one of the south coast’s best dance music shindigs. Sub Focus’ own track ‘Tidal Wave’ featuring Alpines was greeted with a scream of delight from the crowd. The thirty-four-year-old DJ navigated his way through the ninety minute set with conviction playing not only his own tracks but a whole host of sort after drum & bass bangers. Support came from MC ID who was a hit in hyping the enthusiastic crowd.

Although not a big fan of his more commercialised drum & bass style, Netsky came through to play a first-rate set. His set was clearly thought out and like Sub Focus gave the right balance of self-productions to big drum & bass tracks. 1991 rounded off the night nicely keeping the hardcore ravers going until the lights came on. We’re hoping it won’t be too long until the next Bedlam not get in Bournemouth.

THE GIG IN REVIEW

inSYNC Rating – 7/10