REVIEW: Bassassins 2 at Nocturne 21-02-14 by Natalia Toussaint

When I walked up to the entrance of Nocturne around 10:15 p.m. there was already a small crowd formed outside the doors. Some attendees were smoking, some catching up with friends and others with looks of excitement on their faces for the night ahead. Everyone one was super friendly and were waiting for the soundcheck to finish so they could enter. One thing I absolutely adore about the rave community is the acceptance and open-mindedness many individuals try to live by everyday. This sense of positiveness was evident throughout the night with many hugs, meeting new people and trading kandi.

Walking into the venue, the main room dance floor already had a few bodies grooving to Adam McCallum’s drum and bass/jump up set. I spent a few minutes grooving on the edge of the dancefloor, letting my eyes adjust to the darkness. I spotted Trinurgy Music (one of the seven hosts and DJs) and introduced myself. He quickly introduced me to DJ Squishy, DJ Desquamation and other guests in their entourage. Everyone was all smiles and I thoroughly enjoyed meeting every person. There is nothing like being greeted with open arms.

One thing I absolutely loved was the back room was used as a “semi” open free deck, where friends of the hosts could spin what they felt like. Sets ranging from trap, electro, hardstyle, dark trance and jungle could be heard pumping through the speakers. “This was a great opportunity for those wishing to work on their DJ skills in a live environment while reacting to a crowd,” said DJ Squishy. DJs Trinurgy Music, Squishy, Desquamation and Garth MacLeod spun sets in both the back and main rooms.

Audi Freq was behind the decks around 10:45 spinning a dark psy-trance and electro house set. If you missed the action or want to relive a very danceable set be sure to check out his recorded mix on his Mixcloud account, tracklist is also available. http://www.mixcloud.com/audifreq/booty-assassins-ii-dirty-psy/

One great thing from the night were the array of outfits attendees wore. Many wore phat pants, some ladies wore fluffies and a few goth looks. It was like a throwback to the 90s rave scene, something I wish I could have experienced but sadly was still in my first decade of life. It was definitely a come as you are and dance in what you feel comfortable event. There was neon but nothing to the extent you see it at many festivals and larger events throughout the city as of late.

Trinurgy Music was up next with an 808-heavy set filled with trap, dubstep and wobble bass. The dance floor was packed at this point as bass was pumping through the subs. The dance floor reached a high point when BAR9’s VIP of Piano Tune was playing through the speakers. Trinurgy Music finished his set on a high not playing back-to-back Excision & Downlink collaborations Headbanga and Rock You Remix. You can find Trinugry Music’s tracklist below and his set after the jump: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gxTZsxMWZ_c&feature=youtu.be

DJ Desquamation came in next with a hardstyle and hard trance set. Tracks I haven’t heard in ages were blasting through the sound system. I was mostly a spectator during Desquamation’s set as I took a much needed breather. The dance floor still filled with shufflers gliding to Hard Driver’s The Cold Angel (Requencerz Remix). One song in particular caught my attention and I had to get off my chair and dance again. I love the Cranberries and Ray Knox’s remix of Zombie by Andrew Spencer and the Vamp Rockers is a great trance mix to dance and sing your heart out to.

DJ Squishy played a great mix of drum and bass with a few surprises being thrown in. Most notably was The Kiffness 8bit remix of Lorde’s Royals. As the opening chords could be heard, singing voices screaming the lyrics could be heard throughout the venue. A selection of memorable tracks were thrown into the set that had positive reactions from the crowd, Emalkay’s When I look at You, Sweet Shop by Doctor P and JSTJR Bootleg of The Partysquad’s Lighterman.

Lorde – Royals (The Kiffness 8bit Remix)

Garth MacLeod was up next. After playing at Tota for the 90s Dance Party and a warm up set in the back room, Garth took over the decks around 1:45 a.m. Playing a mix of electro and house, he re-started the dance party. I had to leave shortly after his set began as my recently-sprained ankle was becoming stiffer due to the amount of dancing I did. I’m also sad to say I missed DJ Dynamic’s closing set.

My ass is definitely sore, and the energy from the event is still with me. Shout out to Nefertiti, EDMTOR’s newest photographer, on her first assignment. The photos are amazing!

Many thanks to Tha Collective for wonderful night of flying feet and thanks to Nocturne for use of the venue. I hope Booty Assassins III is in the works!