Review: Cream Boxing Day

At 28 years old, i've clubbed the world around. Experienced clubs in places you maybe couldn't dream of, or that existed before you we're a glint in your fathers eye. Now i'm not about to become one of those people that say's 'it's not like it used to be' or 'back in the good old days', but well, quite frankly this time around, I should.

When Cream was weekly and Paul Bleasdale took place of my Westlife poster, I often made the trek down the M6 to Liverpool to experience the adventure that was Nation. Then it all went tit's up, and although Creamfields still rocks the festival circuit, Cream the club slipped into nowhere with 'occassional' events, and before you know it the only time Nation open's its doors is boxing day, providing a chance for us to swap our presents and dance off the turkey. My most recent visit to Cream was such an oppurtunity, boxing day of 2004. The lineup was promising, the hype was as always and the flyers we're the best around. Quite frankly, i was excited.

Arriving at the club around 9:45 we were let in to the bar behind the courtyard, providing a quick nip to the toilets (a long drive from Cumbria does that to you) before a drink to warm the cockles as it was freezing.

To My suprise and my girlfriends, there was no toilet roll in the club and no one seemed to be able to get any, sort it out cream you have enough money!

The actual toilets were disgusting too, its nearly 2005 for f'#'xs sake we expect more for our money! Although, from my experience club toilets do get mucky, this was less than half an hour into the night and the place had a feel that it didn't get cleaned from the previous nights activities at Nation, whatever that may be these day's.

Eventually we were let in to the main event, three rooms all with excellent sound systems and the usual amazing setup as to be expected. Starting in the main room we enjoyed ourself listening to a bit of trance, however it was too full on for that time of night so we decided to go for a wander.

Before we knew it, it was midnight so headed off to see Stave Lawler who for his whole set was unstoppable, one of the best sets i've seen all year.

By this time Matt Hardwick was nearly at the end of his set, and being a big fan of Matt I popped in to have a listen, quality stuff as usual, after Matt we attempted to get into the courtyard it was far too busy, infact they had over sold the whole night, you couldn't escape from anyone, it was very annoying.

In the end it was an average night but nation has seen better days, as a money spinner fair enough, but Nation really is a shit hole and nowaday's clubbers need more for their money than just a dirty unkept warehouse that has been over filled to make the quickest buck!

No doubt we'll be back though, as Cream still manage to pull out all the stops with the lineups.

Skiddle says : Although it would appear Ryan had a mixed night, it seems that the main problems lie with the venue itself rather than the Cream brand. Our experiences of Cream have never let us down, and although we didn't directly experience the Boxing Day event, it sounds like Cream did what they could. Let's hope ryan's comments about the venue are taken into consideration and both parties work closely together to provide a better experience for the end user...