Big Andy
8th June 2004, 10:05 PM
Hidden away smack bang in the middle of nowhere, somewhere between the ice rink and a petrol station, is Oxford's best kept secret. Coven II showcases the area's most promising rising stars, with Saturday's 'Reload' nights being a world away from what the centre has on offer.
Two venues in one, walking through the blue caved tunnel means you enter a world of underground hip hop and live talent. The cave decor is smart, with pockets of seating cut away, and it's quite well spaced out.
There's a group of talented wannabe MCs at the decks. One is a prepubescent version of Dizzee Rascall, whilst another is reading lyrics from a sheet. Having a go on the mic myself however proves that 'freestyling' is harder than it seems. Full marks for effort, although they have a long way to go if MCing is to be anything more than a hobby.
The established talent is next door, including the likes of Playa J, (dont tell him his head is big enough already hahaha) Shuffla and Mikee Hussla, who recently performed at Park End's Judge Jules special. It's a two-floor open arena, with some insane drum & bass coming from DJs John E Bravo and Gomez on the decks.
Adding live MCing to this is an awesome combination, with a hyperactive clientele on the dancefloor, not afraid to dance maniacally to the accelerating beat.
Both dancefloors never really fill however, perhaps because of both the location and poor knowledge of its existence - hardly any students I know had even heard of the place. For fans of Cellar's drum & bass nights, Coven II is bigger and better.
MC at The Coven II
May sees DJ Zinc on the decks, who brought drum & bass into the mainstream charts with a bootleg of Fugees' 'Ready or Not', and Nicky Blackmarket at the venue.
Lesson learnt this evening: Don't ask a bunch of townies about to beat each other up to smile for the camera...
blue
Two venues in one, walking through the blue caved tunnel means you enter a world of underground hip hop and live talent. The cave decor is smart, with pockets of seating cut away, and it's quite well spaced out.
There's a group of talented wannabe MCs at the decks. One is a prepubescent version of Dizzee Rascall, whilst another is reading lyrics from a sheet. Having a go on the mic myself however proves that 'freestyling' is harder than it seems. Full marks for effort, although they have a long way to go if MCing is to be anything more than a hobby.
The established talent is next door, including the likes of Playa J, (dont tell him his head is big enough already hahaha) Shuffla and Mikee Hussla, who recently performed at Park End's Judge Jules special. It's a two-floor open arena, with some insane drum & bass coming from DJs John E Bravo and Gomez on the decks.
Adding live MCing to this is an awesome combination, with a hyperactive clientele on the dancefloor, not afraid to dance maniacally to the accelerating beat.
Both dancefloors never really fill however, perhaps because of both the location and poor knowledge of its existence - hardly any students I know had even heard of the place. For fans of Cellar's drum & bass nights, Coven II is bigger and better.
MC at The Coven II
May sees DJ Zinc on the decks, who brought drum & bass into the mainstream charts with a bootleg of Fugees' 'Ready or Not', and Nicky Blackmarket at the venue.
Lesson learnt this evening: Don't ask a bunch of townies about to beat each other up to smile for the camera...
blue