Buzzin Music

Dreadzone Live @ The Quaterhouse, Folkestone Kent – Friday 19th March

Dreadzone played their first live date at Folkestone’s Quarterhouse; a venue I had not visited before now.  But what a great little venue it was.  With a capacity of 500 people it was no surprise Dreadzone was a sell-out.

Dreadzone were formed in 1993 and their new album, Eye on the Horizon, is their sixth studio album.  It’s fair to say their commercial popularity waned after peaking in 1996 with their only UK Top 20 hit single, Little Britain.  But live they still command a fanatic fan base and tonight the crowd were a mix of generations ranging from original ravers to teenage students; all were friendly and ready to have a good time.

In true rock n roll tradition, the band left the audience waiting after a stirring DJ set of dub-heavy underground dance tracks.  But when the four musicians took to the stage, it was well worth the wait.  The sound was good and the music was very tight – drums, samplers, guitar and bass.

I couldn’t help noticing how Greg Roberts (drums) was not using a click track.  Which, considering the amount of samples that were being used, was very impressive indeed. Add to this two vocalists, and the Dreadzone faithful were mad for it.

The music doesn’t quite fit into any one style but is best described as a mix of dub, dance, reggae, with a hint of trance and a sniff of folk.

The set list included tracks from the forthcoming album, Eye on the Horizon and a selection of live favourites from their previous 17 years, culminating of course with a great rendition of Little Britain. And tonight in Folkestone, the screeching seagull introduction seemed more apt than ever before.

If I’m being honest, I like the older tracks much more than the new material.  Those old rave dub tracks still cut the mustard!

Dreadzone may have fallen far away from the commercial radar.  But tonight showed they have a solid and loyal live following; and that quite simply is because, live they rock!