The 4 day feast that was the third annual Rifflandia festival came to an amazing close at the final sub⎹division showcase on Sunday. The night started off right with fantastic opening sets from extended sub|div fam members Outsider & Patience Automate. Outsider’s amen feast was precise as a Photek break & for the early 7:30 slot, the cat had peeps jumpin. PA’s pristine industrial crunk is always a treat sonically & his Riff set was stellar; tunes from his Auto Swagger EP definitely lit it up.
The Big Reds rarely get deck-time as a trio lately – space, time & life are all factors. But thanks to Rifflandia, these 3 cats made it happen again right in front of everyone’s eyes & ears. While Gobe, Frame & Rhythmicon all have the capacity for a live solo set, having all 3 of these soldiers on stage at once is always a treat. Deep, rooted riddims dominated their set, with seriously some of the smoothest mixes to have graced the sub⎹div stage all year. Massive love out to these boys – showing Victoria how this shit truly should be done.
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Hosting Distance to close out this year’s Rifflandia Festival was a complete honour for the sub⎹div fam & wow, did the Chestplate head honcho come through. Outside of being an originator & respected DJ, Distance has managed two full length albums on Planet Mu that are monumental influences for the growing dubstep comminuty – to have him in our midst on the 1s & 2s was exciting as fuck. Getting right to it, the quality bass pressure was maintained throughout his entire set, with his signature cracking snares & tastefully executed mid-range riffs devastating a packed, sweaty & willing crowd. New dubs were flying left & right, with some slicker new female vox-driven anthems slotting seamlessly next to classic floor-burners like “Night Vision” & “Victim Support“. Complete mastery of the mix was evident – some lengthy mixes & quick cuts presented some brilliant segues between all the the drops & bass. Consider the legendary status maintained; Distance, you are welcome back at sub⎹division anytime.
