Looking out for Southampton...
Raygun Youth and Release host the South Coast's Outlook Festival Warm-Up Party
When word got out that local hip-hop promoters Raygun Youth were joining forces with the city’s favourite d&b night Release, the anticipation in Southampton reached boiling point. But when the news came that this epic collab was in aid of an Outlook Festival Warm-Up, it almost sent the city into meltdown.
It’s 4pm on a May afternoon, scorching hot and the stamina massive are already collecting at The Cellar. Pints and pitchers of colour cocktails are flowing, music is pouring onto the street and the smell of summer is provided by Rocksteddy’s Secret Chicken Kebabs and Soul Burgers sizzling away on the BBQ.
Soon the sun has gone to bed but the party is just beginning to heat up and the air is full of the festival feeling. Starting the proceedings is Dub Concept playing an old skool garage set. Next everyone’s favourite chef come dub master, Rocksteddy, takes the summer that he sprinkles on his munch and brings the heat inside with a set that wouldn’t be dismissed on the streets of Kingston.
Warming up the hip-hop for the night is a set from Influx, before Phaeleh switches the vibes and sets the stage on fire. Clearly a crowd pleaser, the club is hanging on his every drop, with his own tunes ‘Twilight’ and ‘Afterglow’ sending the crowd crazy.
Back to hip-hop and Jehst and his live band bring some soulful sounds to the room. Performing a few tracks off the album, a minimal version of ‘England’ is the standout track. Keeping with the live performances, Mungo’s Hi Fi bring the night back into dub sound territory. Bouncing around the stage, Mungo wails out his latest dub, featuring Eek-a-mouse, with plenty of audience participation.
After a free raffle, which gives one lucky winner two Outlook tickets, the night draws to a close, finishing on a Release tip with Octane & DLR back to back with Ant TC1, DLR dropping the boys new track ‘Back in the Grind’. Closing the night, local duo Gerra & Stone preview their intoxicating new track ‘Test Chamber’ to a venue that doesn’t want the night to end.
If you missed it, you missed out.
WORDS: Whisky Kicks