South West Four, Clapham Common, August 2005
where_ur_at : step-on magazine > articles > south west four



The build up to this year’s SW4 event on Clapham Common had been sizzling, hardly surprising considering the success of last year’s event and the star studded line-up. With Sasha, Digweed, Carl Cox, Steve Lawler, Tall Paul and Danny Rampling all stepping up to tear up the ones and twos, musically it was destined to be an unforgettable afternoon. With over 20,000 wide eyed Londoners basking in the August Bank Holiday sunshine and rubbing their hands in readiness for possibly the last debauched weekend of the summer, the scene was set for a party of monumental proportions! It certainly did not disappoint...

As Step-On strode through the VIP gates James Zabiella was busy working his trademark trickery across the Pioneer CDJ1000s and getting the Clapham crowd warmed up nicely. We took a walk with Zabiella’s baselines for a few minutes, enjoying the spectacular sunshine and an abundance of smiley happy people!

Next it was to the beer tents, more than last year, which can’t be bad, and sensibly labelled ‘North, South, East and West bars’. This did turn out to be very useful when trying to locate a handful of people amongst 20,000.
After we’d regrouped having scattered randomly amongst the masses we took our positions in front of the main stage to soak up the sounds of John Digweed. He produced a typically seamless set with plenty of crescendos and killer bass lines but it was generally agreed we were expecting a little more.

Before the main act – the great man Sasha – a splinter Step-On cell broke off to explore the palatial surroundings of the VIP tent. Very nice it was too since, as one would expect, it had attracted a bevy of c*ck hungry fitties. Add to that the level of sunshine on the day and this place was a serious honey pot. I don’t think Ray Ban’s have ever come in so handy! The music was rocking as well and the dancefloor was rife with scantily clad young beauties willing to entertain the boys.
However, we couldn’t let ourselves be distracted and soon had to head back to the main stage where Sasha was stepping up to the plate, armed with Ableton software and laptop. Whatever his critics may say about the new technology underpinning his sets of late, Sasha delivered a set of magnificent proportions. From start to finish Clapham common was taken to another level by a man at the top of his game. He began by bringing the tempo right down with a beautiful, meandering, melodic intro. It was a fantastic site as the sun set over Clapham common and 20 000 people stretched their arms into the air in anticipation of his first driving bass line. When it arrived the place erupted with whoops, whistles and girls being hoisted onto shoulders. What followed was one of the greatest sets from the master I have ever witnessed. Having battled down to the crowd barriers right in front of the main stage Sasha continued to weave an intoxicating soundscape until he dropped a track which sent the place into meltdown. After a huge bubbling build up, the familiar vocal of Mr Brightside by The Killers boomed out and the common erupted into voice. It was definitely the highlight of the night as Sasha weaved his own bass lines whilst layering this fantastic track over the top.

It was a tall order but the guys from HEAT somehow managed to top last years event. The line up was second to none, the weather was scorching, the crowd was rocking and the general organisation was excellent. Add to this the most memorable set of the summer and I can honestly say SW4 was up there with the best weekends of the year so far. Here’s looking forward to next year’s event...

Editorial : Alex B
Photography : Andrew Winter