...written and compiled by spank.

The Planet is a curious venue. A mixture of metal and fibre glass it houses two dance floors and a wine bar layered one on top of each other; the pace heats up as you ascend further, each level acting as a warm up for the one that lies above. Tonight the toasting of the New Year commenced in the “wine bar”, DJs Cypriot, Che System Ad and Dubmaster played chilled d ‘n’ bass cuts as an introduction to level two where speed garage blazes with speedsters Ride, Daniel Ward, EZ and Jason Kaye attempting to seduce the one or two punters milling about near the bar.

As the levels rise so does the heat. The top floor is where it’s all happening as L.T.J Bukem and MC Conrad warm up the already bouncing and heaving trainer clad masses. Bukem representing the Looking Good crew plays a tantalising atmospheric selection setting the mood for nine more hours of pure drum and bass excellence. One by one the Metalheadz bounty hunters approach the decks. One things for sure, this ain’t no disco! Fabio plays a uplifting mixture of jazz-jungle including an airing for the first time of the night Peshay’s forthcoming ‘Miles from Home’ track, fantastic drum ‘n’ bass for those with a penchant for 007, also featured in both Goldie and Grooverider’s sets. The MC keeps the crowd happy with constant reminders they’re “seein’ in ’98 at the Planet, the Planet, with Fabio, Fabio, Fabio” and everybody cheers.

Kemistry and Storm build up the pressure and excitement in preparation for the main man, Goldie, exclusive to the Planet for tonight. In the countdown to midnight the number of clubbers seems to have tripled. It’s hot, it’s sweaty, but the music keeps you dancing through the pain barrier as the final minutes of ’97 tick away. Midnight strikes, Goldie hits the decks, hundreds of black and white balloons fall from the ceiling and there’s a frenzy as everyone tries to burst as many as they can - 1998 has officially started! The excitement is too much. Goldie knocks the decks, there’s a moment of silence, he successfully regains his cool then proceeds to mix a saucy set of top tunes to make the first hour of ’98 truly memorable. As the hours melt into one another Grooverider plays dark, hard tunes with a techno influence followed by Doc Scott whose minimal, technical, crisp sound sees the crowd through to the end. As 6am arrives the euphoric masses pile out of the Planet, thrilled and with a ringing in their ears that’s sure to last for Ever After.