Strongbow Rooms @ Big Chill

United Kingdom | by Frank Grimshaw | 09 August 2005

As the sun beats down on the glorious surrounds of Eastnor Castle, The Strongbow Rooms heave and throb - a relentlessly energetic and sexy foil to the laid backness of the Big Chill's other attractions - a nexus for action, drama and heavy beats...

The stylishly graffitied, sofa-equipped bar, with it's outdoor 'beach' feel proves the perfect chill-out zone by day, while the always-jumping dance area becomes a mecca for the nocturnal beat junkies.

The Freerange Sound System sets a crisp agenda on Friday afternoon with an impeccable and relentless set. As the day turns into a fine evening, DJ Cameo goes to work, whipping up a delighted crowd with first-class, up-tempo stuff. DJ Rubberfunk also impresses with funky, disco-ish tunes perfect for an ever growing, devil-may-care, good-time crowd.

Saturday at the Strongbow brings more glamorous action. Big Chill favourite Rob Da Bank is on top form and full of captivating, timely tunes for a keyed-up crowd. Qool DJ Marv gets busy laying down a load of early New York house to appreciative aficionado's and the more ladylike sections of the crowd. Danni Moore is also stand-out with some big/break beats. The dance tent and the bar are both completely rammed by the time one of the day's highlights, DJ Derek, comes on. He plays a set of perfectly balanced classic and updated reggae, as well as providing nuggets of Rasta wisdom.

Sunday is sunny and burning hot but the pace slackens not, and while the Strongbow crowd seem a little wearier, there are still big tings agwaan. A Man Called Adam start by playing some, frankly, weird stuff, good though, and definitely dug by the early crowd. Bent DJ's promise and deliver twisted, slightly soulful funk to an appreciative, somewhat frazzled crowd who also seem to enjoy David McAlmont, although the sun is mercilessly strong by now.

Once again, the Strongbow Rooms prove to be an atmospheric triumph backed up by a stonking sound system. Overall, the music is eclectic and unrestrained. Genres mix happily and easily; dance of all kinds, funk, hip-hop, reggae, ragga, little cheeky flashes of classical, pop and motown all blended in somewhere to give the Strongbow Rooms a unique, good-time feel which the crowds flock to and stay for.

For more about The Strongbow Rooms visit www.strongbowrooms.com