A second year of In:motion, a second season of road-blocked parties, tens of thousands of smiling faces and a host of amazingly good times and memorable moments for all those that were part of it. Bristol’s revamped Motion skate park has lent itself not just as club but a stage and theatre of entertainment, hosting the best in electronic music and live production.
There has been a feast of highlights from the three month run and In:Motion has put Bristol firmly on the musical map, supporting its own home grown talent plus bringing the best international acts to the city.
Jamie Jones who swept the board in the 2011 end of year polls being voted best DJ by Resident Advisor, DJ Mag and Mixmag, kicked things off in the Tunnel with counterpart Heidi for the launch weekend. The venue was packed from wall to wall, introducing the first of fourteen sell out shows.
“I was really pleased to have played at In:motion this year. Its an amazing space with a great crowd.” Jamie Jones.
Radio 1 mainstay Pete Tong demonstrated how he’s still the king of clubland with one of the busiest nights of the series, selling the show out weeks before his date. Pete’s night also saw Radio 1 make their way down the M4 to record an Essential mix live from the club – for the very first time with Bristol’s own Eats Everything.
The peerless Hessle Audio had people queuing round the corner for their In:motion debut. They delivered some key season highlights including Jamie Woon’s live show and brought Jamie XX along for the ride.
Just Jack pushed the boundaries on the space in October, opening the vast second warehouse space for their Halloween party and bringing their unique show to the venue with character actors and ghostly production. The start of November also sparks fly with Smerin’s Gunpowder Plot and firework party, which included the ceremonial burning of a Big Ben on the bonfire in the courtyard.
Futureboogie’s night with Red Bull Music Academy was something of a homecoming – championing one of the best labels from the city in a sell out show that had people queuing up for the last remaining tickets from 8pm. The lucky ones got down to the slow sexy grooves of Henrik Schwarz and witnessed the wonder of Crazy P’s live set.
Last but not least, the final show brought the debut from Cocoon in Bristol, setting the trend and becoming the first real techno night to take over the main room.
“In:Motion easily feels like one of the UK’s strongest dance events combining the best elements of a ware house party with the programming and professionalism of a mini festival. It’s great to see such big crowds gracing the party and coming not just from Bristol but to Bristol from the surrounding areas again.” Gavin Herlihy
Now all that remains is the In:motion New Years Eve party to close the final door on 2011, with High Contrast, Visionquest, Eats Everything and festival favourites The Dance Off Crew amongst some of the acts to be leading us into the bright lights of 2012.
“2011 has seen In:motion rise to new heights, cementing its place as one of the UK’s most diverse and forward thinking musical projects. True to our word we made it bigger, better, louder and more mind bendingly brilliant than ever before. We couldn’t be more grateful to everyone who made it happen, much love and roll on 2012!” Rag, In:motion