Review: David Rodigan's Ram Jam at Albert Hall

Images: Jack Kirwin

Clubbing doesn't have to be limited to dark and dingy warehouse spaces, in fact more and more event organisers are latching onto impressive architecture and the results are breath taking. Unique raving spaces can make the difference between an average night and an unforgettable one, and it's Albert Hall which gloriously takes the top spot for Manchester's most awe-inspiring venue in our books.

Since Albert Hall's renovation last year, the venue has been on the lips of promoters and ravers alike, keen to see what the space has to offer. But it was a new series of clubbing events, Transmission, which secured their take over of the alluring Grade II listed Wesleyan chapel. We headed to Transmission's first event of the year, Ram Jam, as they began their conquest to bring the best in the business to the magnificent venue. 

Illustrious club brands aren't shy of appearing on the Transmission line ups. From Jackathon to Hospitality to Circus, attendees are guaranteed a masterclass from the brains behind the household names, and that's exactly what we got at Ram Jam as creator David Rodigan took the headline spot. 

Entering Albert Hall's main room, it's hard not to feel slightly overwhelmed. The venue has so much to offer visually, looking up from the ground floor you're circled by the balcony above, with the stain glass windows glimmering behind the crowds. The pearly beige tones and Gothic details contrast against the flashing primary coloured lighting, the venue adopts the clubbing components with ease, but never loses its elegant charm. 

We settled as Shy FX began his set. He worked his way through a selection of mega drum&bass tracks, occasionally treating the crowd to some of his own productions including the upbeat anthem 'Feelings' (have a listen below). His set was meant for the Albert Hall sound system, the bass rattled our insides and provoked an even crazier response from the boisterous crowd. 

Toddla T was up next, cartoon animations danced on the LED screen behind him, wholly matching his fun and out of this world set. There was an abundance of rewinds, as he dabbled with bass house before switching up the tempo.

The anticipation of seeing Ram Jam's founder was building. The veteran DJ grabbed the mic and took his position, his stage presence already becoming the focal point of the performance. His catchphrases of ‘give me some signal’ and 'where's the junglists at?!' were returned with howls that echoed around the chapel walls. 

His set was a fusion between dancehall, rocksteady and reggae, you felt privileged to be sharing the music with him that has completely shaped his career and influenced so many artists. His unsinkable passion for the genres transferred to the crowd and made an almighty impression on everyone in the room. 

He bounced between classic reggae tracks like Bob Marley's 'No Woman, No Cry' and 'My Boy Lollipop' by Millie Small which Rodigan has previously revealed sparked his interest in the genre when he was a child. He included a couple of more recent bangers which sent the crowd into frenzy, including the massive 'Wile Out' by DJ Zinc and Ms Dynamite. 

Ram Jam was a taste of what is to come for the season at Albert Hall - musical icons and an atmosphere of epic proportions in one of the most remarkable venues in the North West. 

Head here to view the rest of the Transmission events for this season.

Rodigan and his Ram Jam show head to Bournemouth's 02 Academy on Saturday 28th February - more info here.