Ben Hemsley @ The Arch review: Geordie DJ showcases versatility

Having had the privilege of closing the world-famous Amnesia in Ibiza just a few nights ago, Saturday evening saw global DJ sensation Ben Hemsley swap the last of the foreign sunshine for a brisker seaside city location. Coming through to perform an enthralling set at a widely renowned venue, The Arch in Brighton. Hosted by popular event organisers Slap That Sound, a highly anticipated lineup packed the venue out in no time. 

As per a typical rave night on the South Coast, doors had opened up at 11pm sharpish to two superb support acts in Sandor and Champagne Breakfast, charging up the crowd with their high-energy dynamic sets. Each broadcasted unique sounds with USBs boasting the finest bass-laden anthems, and those who arrived early had the pleasure of enjoying both extended sets to start the evening. A mixture of all soundscapes in the realms of tech, house and trance, their sound perfectly aligned with the headline act. 

The real talking point here though and the main man behind the sacrifice of sleep was Ben Hemsley. Having played at a venue in Southampton at midnight on the same night, it wasn’t until 3:30 am that the 28-year-old began his set - a real graveyard shift into the night, but one that most ravers were geared up for. Despite the long wait from the doors opening to the start of the main event, the anticipation became more tangible, and the wait was worth it for those who managed to fight off the tiredness and stick it out. 

With a sound blending enticing melodies and nostalgic elements of 90s dance music, Newcastle-based Ben Hemsley has been making waves in the UK house, techno and trance scene over the past few years, with a huge tour and a large-scale show at the Warehouse Project amassing him over 30,000 ticket sales on his show-run last year. 

Seamlessly transitioning between genres, Hemsley showcased his versatility and technical skill by offloading some jump-up house and techno-infused anthems fused with wider trance sounds. Throughout the set, we got a real sense of personality from Hemsley whilst he performed; his engaging buildups and noticeably passionate sound selection shine through the visible emotions he shows that broadcast such a love for what he is doing, feeling every beat, bass and groove that reverberates around the club. 

The nostalgic sounds of classic trance combined with the driving beats of modern techno had the audience fully immersed in the music, with the sound system at The Arch ensuring that every infectious gem ignited the dance floor with power and clarity throughout the ninety minutes he performed. 

Brighton’s nightlife continues to deliver and deliver - Ben Hemsley continued this momentum with a fantastic set that kept the audience dancing until the early hours of sunrise. A place that continues to keep the rave and nightlife culture alive, Brighton turned up in their numbers for yet another great night of music on the seafront. 

For more club nights and raves from across the UK, check out our UK Rave Guide Inspire Me page. 

Check out our What's On Guide to discover even more rowdy raves and sweaty gigs taking place over the coming weeks and months. For festivals, lifestyle events and more, head on over to our Things To Do page or be inspired by the event selections on our Inspire Me page.