Event Review: Garage Nation with DJ EZ at O2 Academy Leeds 10.10.14

With the announced line-up and over 2000 tickets sold, it was already safe to say that Garage Nation at the 02 Academy in Leeds was going to be an unforgettable event.

Mike Delinquent along with KCAT started off the night at 12am with a 1 hour set and he without a doubt got the crowd going from the beginning as people were arriving. Following on was DJ Cartier, a well renowned DJ within the UK Garage Scene. He’s had slots on Rinse FM, Ministry of Sound Radio and has recently had a boiler room set filmed for Garage Nation. His flawless mixing of garage classics had the crowd hyped up throughout his set, and the fact that DJ EZ was up next seemed to have the crowd hyped up to an obscene level.

The legendary DJ EZ who started his career in 1993 proved his 24ct status yet again with an incredible set along with one of his all-time favourite MC’s from way back in the day – Majestic. They've always worked well together which was proved that night as well as on his famous 3.5 hour boiler room set.

Old school classics were dropped all throughout his set. Familiar numbers such as S.I.A – Little Man (DJ Q Remix), “Jameson & Viper – Urban Hero (Original Mix),  Sunship – Try Me Out (Let Me Lick It) as well as Just in Case – Jaheim (Dubaholics Remix). An impressive remix of “Get Get Down (Accapella) – Paul Johnson” with Hackney Parrot – Tessela was dropped by EZ, a track which sent the already lively crowd, absolutely insane.

As well as the older garage classics, EZ and other DJ’s played garage remixes of commercial tracks and I think this in one of the paramount reasons why the UK Garage scene seems to be still going strong. The diverse elements which make-up of garage play a strong role as to why there is still a big UK Garage scene. From the light side of garage, to the darker side, to the vocals in certain tracks and the instantly recognisable basslines, all these aspects play a vital role in keeping alive the "Garage nation".

Carrying on, DJ EZ & Majestic decided to get the crowd to sit down before the drop of the all-time garage classic Double 99 – Rip Groove. Having almost 2000 people sit down to wait for the drop for one song proved to be quite the sight, and once the song dropped it definitely got the crowd going nuts. DJ Cartier was on again after DJ EZ for yet another hour, which proved to be just as good as his set from 1am – 2am.

Dan Hills kept the party going with his trademark flawless mixing from 4am onwards, blending the new and old school tracks of UK Garage. Colours – Hold On (SE22 Mix), Mosca – Bax (Released in 2011) and Sticky – Triplets (Released in 2000) are a few examples of tracks that were dropped and shows us once again that new tracks are fitting in perfectly with tracks made from the 90’s.

Finally, Martin Larner who started his career in 1994 finished the night with a set from 5am onwards. As expected, UK Garage classics were mixed non-stop without any faults.Legendary MC’s who have been in the UK Garage Scene since it started were on hand throughout the night. Names such as Creed, DT, PSJ and of course Majestic who has already been mentioned all graced the floor and did what they do best.

As well as all of the DJ’s and MC’s mentioned, there was also a second room hosted by Joshua Weekes who delivered on point Garage vibes throughout the course of the night, their room offered rest bite from the sometimes crammed main room.

Overall it was an unforgettable biggle night with great vibes from start to finish, long live the garage nation.

Charlie Egan

Follow Charlie on Twitter: @charlie_e92