Ed Solo Live on the Arcadia Stage Boomtown 2013
It’s not too often you find yourself DJing in front of thousands of people from the top of a giant spider that’s shooting fire and lasers into the ether. I had played the Bassline Circus stage at Boomtown in 2011 – after Emalkay – but this time really was something a little different. Arcadia is based on this crazy mechanical stage that shoots flames everywhere. It’s a lot more than just a tent – that thing has eyes: kinda like lights inside big circles.
There’s no front to the DJ booth, so there are people all around you dancing: no matter what side you are on you are front and centre with thousands of people all around in every direction. It’s very different and cool. As you are playing they let off bursts of fire – you feel the machine below you rumbling, and it seriously gets the adrenaline going.
I was a bit confused because when me and Deekline played at Arcadia at Glastonbury festival last month it was a different stage. I think it was something called “The Afterburner”, which is based on electricity. And I think they have yet another one called “The Bug”.
Anyway, this time Deekline and I were on at 11 – straight after a half hour fire show. I was dropping mainly reggae-influenced d ‘n’ b, with about five or six exclusives that I’d prepared especially. People seemed to have a wicked time. LTJ Bukem was on after us and was playing quite upbeat for him. I caught the start of his set and enjoyed it.
Afterwards I bumped into Friction, who these days is on Radio One. We know each other from being involved in the drum ‘n’ bass scene in Brighton. I’m going to send him some stuff to see if he’ll drop it on the radio. It was a nice catch up.
This week I’ve been mostly working with a guy called Elijah MC on a remix of his track Ruffneck, which will come out on Jungle Cakes. So look forward to checking that one out soon … In the meantime, you can download my set from Boomtown.
Tracklist
“Zunga” – Ed Solo & Deekline – ft Rubi Dan
“RuffNeck” – Elijah MC – Ed Solo Remix – EXCLUSIVE
“Movie Star” – Isaac Maya & Ed Solo – EXCLUSIVE
“Dubroom” – Benny Page – Rhythm Beater Remix
“Bad Boys” – Ed Solo & Deekline
“Bongo Bong” – Ed Solo & Deekline
“Reggae Warrior” – Ed Solo & Stickybuds EXCLUSIVE
“Love Jah” – Isaac Maya & Ed Solo – EXCLUSIVE
“Its A Pity” (Yardrock 320) – J Bostron vs Tanya Stephens
“Grit” – Danny Byrd – feat. Roni Size
“Can’t Hide It” – Ed Solo Remix – Deekline & Hardy Hard
“Kill Bill” – Levela Remix – Dope Ammo
“Put Up Your Hands 2013” – S.C.A.M EXCLUSIVE
“Only U Vs Special Dedication” (Ed’s V.I.P Edit) Ed Solo & Brockie EXCLUSIVE
“Au Seve” – Ed Solo DnB Re-fix
“When I Was A Yout” – Ed Solo EXCLUSIVE
“I’m Living” Sizzla – Ed Solo & Stickybuds Remix EXCLUSIVE
“Bad Boy (Back Again)” – Danny Byrd
“No No No” Extended V.I.P Mix – Deekline & Ed Solo – ft Gala
“Hit The Road Jack” (DnB bootleg) – Ray Charles
