- Since the early '90s, the Ghent-based promoter Kozzmozz has been responsible for some the most significant techno parties in Belgium. For several years their events have taken place in Vooruit, an early 20th century cultural venue once operated by the Belgian socialist party. The building features a large, opulent theatre with impressive balconies, and it is in this grand setting that Cari Lekebusch, Sandwell District and Alan Fitzpatrick were invited to play for a sort of celebration of the end of academic year and of the beginning of summer.
Photo credit: Kozzmozz
As we entered the ballroom, Cari Lekebusch had just taken over from resident Spacid and was weaving a tight texture of torridly paced techno. Gradually, the Swede pushed the tempo even harder, sensing correctly that the crowd was ready for it. When the time came for Sandwell District to step behind the decks, one could have easily expected a selection of slow building, hypnotic techno, but they immediately built upon Lekebusch's fury and enthusiasm, perhaps still in festival mode after playing at Awakenings in the Netherlands earlier that day. The pair served a mélange of cuts from Dave Clarke, Robert Hood, Carl Craig and Speedy J, all held together with a great deal of effects and their characteristic noise sweeps.
It was hard for Alan Fitzpatrick to keep the party going on the same level, and, though his set was an example of dedicated professionalism, it lacked the ardor Regis and Function had displayed. The crowd, however, didn't feel like unwinding yet: Token Records head Kr!z's played after Fitzpatrick, and brought his typical bravura to the proceedings. The youngster was the first artist of that night to put on an actual slab of vinyl, and throughout his set he pushed a sound similar to his own label. The industrial strength techno with just a bit of weirdness kept plenty of people locked in to the very end.