Hard House Academy 9 at O2 Academy Brixton

Hard House Academy 9 at O2 Academy Brixton

22 October, 2009
by: LadyAsbo

Hard House Academy (HHA) 9 turns out to be more than just fine when its circus-themed, four-arena bonanza rolls into town on this Saturday night. The 4500-capacity O2 Academy Brixton acts as the big top for the evening and, with over fifty DJs on offer, it's as if Santa has made an early stop-off in South London.

Established in 1997, prestigious promotion team Frantic are the brains behind HHA, the UK's biggest, baddest and longest-running indoor hard dance event.  The last decade has seen Frantic push, challenge and, to a certain extent, mould the hard dance scene through their CD releases, label and diverse events such as Timeless, Hard Nation and Convergence. 

On arrival I head straight for the Filth Foyer. Despite the early hour, no coaxing is required to get onto an already rammed floor where Dave Curtis (Requiem promoter, Caterpillar Trax co-owner and production busy-bee) is laying down an ass-wiggling agenda. Soon it's time to explore the Academy's enchantments further, though rather reluctantly given the quality of the foyer's line-up. It's easier said than done, however, due to the colossal venue filling up faster than Amy Winehouse's last-orders bar tab. Through corridors, mysterious doors and random staircases I discover the 'Black Gold' room, dedicated to vinyl-only sets. Onwards, bumping into creepy clowns and even scarier sweaty blokes, I find myself backstage. Through the chaos of the dancers' costume changes, I look out over the main arena at the sheer scale of the crowd; the lighting and stage show is spectacular.

Back in the Filth Foyer hard house's very own self-proclaimed Starsky and Hutch, JP and Jukesy, are delivering a trademark tight-as-a-gnat's-twat hour characterised by powerful bass swaps and plenty of funk. Next, Northern Monkeys, Matt Pick Up and Andy Rise show the Southern Fairies how to party HHA 2009-style.  'Rock da Beat' works like a musical energy drink causing Matt Pick Up to stage-climb for an impromptu stomping session, leaving Andy Rise bouncing below deck. Grunting basslines and cheeky hoovers all point to glamorous filth-monger, Lucy Fur, taking poll position. The girl's not shy either, taking it faster and more furious and commanding a frenzied floor of delighted hard house choppers.    

I stumble into the main arena to catch Cally and Juice perform live with guest MC Shocker. In contrast to the other rooms, this is one for the hardstyle heads. A complete spectacle emerges utilising dancers, vocalists, live guitars and even Nirvana! Provoking a violent reaction from the crowd, I stand back, spectating  from safety as Shocker encourages the gas mask-sporting, cyber Goths to go bananas. Activator, booked as a world-exclusive, follows, taking to the stage in head-banging and moshing gale-force-ten style.

Back in the safety of the Filth Foyer Andy Whitby is ably laying down classics and the room becomes increasingly rammed. By the time Adam M comes on there is barely room to shuffle and everyone's getting battered and bruised. The disco damage is soon forgotten as Mr Hi Oktane uses and abuses us with beasts such as 'Mash', 'Crazy Pills' and 'Rampage' for a whole awesome hour. But soon the cold temperature and growing 'football crowd' mentality indicate calling time on what has been a fabulously full-on night.

Criticism of the event mainly centres around there being no set times on display and A*S*Y*S refusing to play the third room (diva!). The main debate is whether hardstyle is too dominant a main room feature. Hardstyle is like the proverbial Marmite to many hard dance fans – that is, as alluring as the prospect of sex with a dead fish. However, it would be unfair to say that other genres are neglected – the flawless Filth Foyer collaboration with Hi Oktane being one example. 

Yearly mash-pot HHA is indisputably Frantic's crown jewels and 2009's whopper line-up, bold collaborations and decadent approach to production show no signs of slacking. Hard house and hardstyle will never skip along hand-in-hand so it will be interesting to see which direction Frantic take for future events. Bring on Hard House Academy 10!


Click here for all upcoming events at O2 Academy Brixton.
Click here for all hard house events in London.
Click here for all DJ music in London.
Click here for all things to do in London.

LadyAsbo