Slapfunk and Ruckus24 were brought to Testbed in Leeds for a great sold out daytime event demonstrating what a good underground music event can provide. An amazing line-up of artists, a great crowd and a brand new venue made for a great all-round experience.
The artists on show were going to be awesome, with Reeshy, Isabelle Koci, Noidmate, Dr Banana, Dungeon Meat and Locklead. The event had a good flow of music throughout the entire day, with everyone contributing to a great atmosphere. As expected, the music was the main event here, and everything was kept to a high standard. Rather than relying on familiar or predictable selections, the DJs took the opportunity to introduce fresh sounds and showcase new music. This was particularly refreshing, with a crowd clearly there for electronic music and open to discovering something different. It made for an engaging listening experience and reinforced the value of events that encourage musical discovery rather than simply playing to expectations.
A standout moment of the night was seeing Dungeon Meat perform on vinyl. Whilst digital has become a staple within the DJ world, vinyl still gives you that unique feel. Seeing them actually play records helps increase the engagement and places more of a focus on the actual records being played. It was also great to hear such a wide range of new sounds.
One of the best things about the event was how well they managed the crowd. As it was a sold-out event, there were never too many people crowding in one place. There weren’t long queues for drinks or toilets, which are typically a common issue with larger events. Most importantly, there was enough space to dance around the venue. This is a huge feat to achieve and really helped contribute to the overall event. It shows they have a good understanding on how to manage everything to make sure the crowd is comfortable.
Testbed was a great choice for the event. The venue has recently been revamped and looks like a much higher class place. This has increased the appeal of the venue and it really is a great place to host events. Whilst venues are often overlooked, the actual physical environment can contribute to how the crowd will engage with the music. Testbed gave a great base for the event and the redevelopment seems to open up some exciting opportunities for the electronic scene in Leeds.
The event was a massive hit for being during the daytime. Raving during the daytime has become a much more appealing option, and this event showed why. There was a great flow throughout the event, and everyone was buzzing with energy. Starting earlier in the day didn’t take away from the atmosphere and actually helped add to it. It also creates a different relationship between the crowd, artists and event, as the focus can be solely on the music.
Overall, everything was very consistent. From the DJs to the management of the venue, there was nothing that took away from the event. The dance floor was buzzing, the music was great, and there was a constant flow of energy. Time flew by, and the crowd wanted so much more.
Slapfunk and Ruckus24 have created a great example of how an electronic event should be run and delivered an event that exceeded expectations. They have thought about the line-up, appreciated the discovery of new music and managed the crowd well. Testbed got to show off their new space, and it was a nice addition to the electronic scene in Leeds.
Ultimately, this was a great sold-out event, reminding us how important it is to have quality music, thoughtful events and places that allow underground culture to flourish. An amazing day all round, setting a high standard for future events.
