South Coast Entertainment Music Reviews

On arrival to the Bounrnemouth O2 Academy, it could have been conceived that no tickets were sold prior to the event with the massive queues streaming out of the entrance doors. On entry however, the hoards of drum and bass fans moving around the venue suggest this was going to be a manic sold out night.

Chase & Status ( Dj's Saul Milton & Will Kennard) have recently made a name for themselves reaching the UK charts with singles Against All Odds and End Credits featuring UK rappers Plan B And Kano respectively. Including this chart success the pair have managed to fit in producing 3 songs for the Rihanna album 'Rated R' and also 'Nothing But The Girl' for X Factor winner Alexandra Burke from the album 'Overcome'. The widespread acclaim has bought with it an upcoming slot on the undercard for the potentially massive 'Prodigy' Milton Keynes gig in July.

Support this evening is supplied by Devlin, 16 Bit and Tinie Tempah, himself riding the crest of a wave in the UK charts. Devlin and 16 Bit certainly heat up the crowd with in your face drum and bass which the scantily clad youth lap up during their frenetic dancing. On a few occasions the intensity spills out in the crowd with fighting and aggression which unfortunately sometimes comes with the territory in drum and bass. Tinie Tempah has turned many a head with the catchy 'Pass Out' which reached number 1 in the UK. The crowd lap up this opportunity to see what could be the future of UK rap and although it is a relatively short set, receives good acclaim.

Chase & Status come on stage to darkness and a massive roar from the bumper crowd. With the MC controlling the crowd exceptionally, the particularly bouncy fans get ever more energetic and turn the O2 Academy into a massive rave. The Bass of the music literally making the hairs stand up on the back of your neck.

Although the Dj's are well travelled I'm sure they were blown away by the Bournemouth crowd and will be returning in the future, maybe at a bigger venue. The drum and bass veterans, like The Prodigy, will be aware that Chase & Status are fast coming up the industry ladder and will soon be vying for top spot.