BLOC weekend 2010
Friday 12th to Sunday 14th March 2010Butlins Resort, Minehead, Somerset, TA24 5SH, England MAP
standard apartment £140 per person - SOLD OUT
Daily capacity: 5,000
Roots Manuva kicks off his set in centre: BLOC but after a few tracks I've noticed that I've stopped dancing and this isn't acceptable at BLOC Weekend. So I shuffle off in search of something a bit more beat heavy.
I head to a few stages before settling on Neil Landstrumm who brings his live wonk fest to tech: BLOC on Friday night. Running from glitch to dub and always keeping the dance floor moving, this is one of the highlights of the weekend. As we think Landstrumm is treating us to another slice of electronic goodness we actually realise it's the fire alarm going off and disappointingly cuts short Landstrumm's set, never fear though as it's a false alarm and the tech: BLOC arena opens shortly after.
Subhead aka Jason Leach brings another monstrous performance to tech: BLOC upon reopening. Music so disjointed and dark it sets the tone for a night of European techno worship, full of frenetic rhythm and creating just the right setting for Isaiah Major aka DJ Rush to come on after. Rush brings the tech: BLOC arena to a close on Friday night. The founder of Kne'Deep records, he is renowned for his heavy duty techno which often reaches levels of what can only be described as ridiculous bpm. It comes as a pleasant surprise that he doesn't quite reach those levels tonight, but meets us in middle ground. He plays a set that is jacking and which shows exactly why he is one of the most respected men in techno, knowing exactly when to freshen the set up, he always has the crowd in the palm of his hand.
For those who aren't yet willing to call it a night and still chasing a buzz there is still plenty on offer. We choose Techno royalty Adam Beyer playing in centre: BLOC, he's changed his style throughout the years and has delved into a more minimal sound in recent times, tonight those elements are evident. A set with plenty of clicks and not shying away from the subtle techno, but unlike most minimal DJs his sets doesn't lack direction and builds up into an altogether different beast. Always constructing, he shows that he can move from the subtle side of techno into the harder side with effortless ease. Others choose to retreat to the chalets to continue the party; I plan to head back and get some rest. The key to BLOC is naps, I notice over the course of the weekend that sleeping isn't really the done thing here.
review by: Paul Mullin