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WRONG'UNS & THE CARNIVAL OF CHAOS
WRONG'UNS & THE CARNIVAL OF CHAOS
The Night the Wrong'uns Came to Town: Carnival of Chaos
The Night the Wrong'uns Came to Town: Carnival of Chaos
Lovingly crafted by the people, for the people: The Carnival of Chaos was the perfect response to what our scene so desperately demands.
Bristol’s music scene over the past few years has become shamefully predictable, with line-ups being copy and pasted every weekend, heavily favouring those of which the foundations of rave culture were not built upon, and often disregarding the people who truly hustle to keep the dream alive. Don’t get me wrong, to say that this is all our scene has to offer us is unfair and vastly untrue, but it’s impossible to ignore the fact that dominating our scene is a severe lack of diversity.
Well, the Wrong’uns took one look at the copy and pasting, and decided to delete the entire manuscript, shouting, “we are here, we are Bristol's music scene, and you can’t keep us underground”, and in turn, just created the grandest, weirdest, most magical night of the year - one which I am incredibly grateful to have been apart of.
It’s not often that I am left stumbling over my words after an event, straining to decipher my thoughts and put pen to paper (or fingers to keyboard, in this case). Even when looking over the notes I wrote during Carnival of Chaos, all I seemed to accomplish was vague, slightly distressing sentences such as, ‘hot sweaty hardtek’ and ‘blood everywhere?’- (shouts out to Traumaville).
I was just so deeply immersed in the magic from start to finish that I found myself speechless, caught up in a banquet for the senses that this collective pulled off without a hitch.
The Boxing Gym was transformed into many things that night: A galvanic seven hours of hardcore, an outlandish slumber party, a magical onslaught of cabaret and performances, and most importantly, a home for everyone to let go, unmask and get real. From the moment I walked past the gates and heard ‘Toucha-Toucha me’ from Rocky Horror whirling unforgivingly through the yard of aimless chatter, dancing and smiles, I knew that the Carnival of Chaos was going to linger for a long while after.
This felt like an art exhibition, an opportunity to truly laugh, move, and feel in a way that your classic Drum and Bass night at Lakota will simply never be able to offer you. This was a form of escapism for all, a safe haven for our marginalised communities, a place for you to be unapologetically queer and bounce to some delicious gabber or 4x4, a place where you’re getting fed, watered and looked after.
As a long time lover for all things silly and hardcore, perhaps this piece reflects that of a ‘fangirl’, but I genuinely couldn’t think of a better way to spend your night if the Wrong’uns are throwing a party, and I implore whoever's reading to experience it for themselves at least once.
And if the entirety of Bristol’s queer creative community coming together somehow isn’t enough for you, the Carnival of Chaos boasted a line-up to be reckoned with. From 9pm until 4am, the walls of The Boxing Gym oscillated with all things hardcore, from Bristol’s own to overseas. The sheer effort they put into tearing the roof from each room is nothing short of admirable - particular personal favourites being Dutch hardcore legend Gladde Paling, whose set was so immeasurably insane that my camera started to condensate with all the heat filling the hall, as well as the unrelenting force that is Scottish Gabber Punk causing absolute scenes in the bunk bed room.
It’s clear that the Wrong’uns are devoted to the cause - love, passion and silliness marking every square inch of whatever they do. This statement is particularly reflected in the incredible effort they put into welfare, not only hosting the likes of Bristol Drug Project for education purposes, but also having safe, sensory zones where neurodivergent ravers could relax and seek a moment of quietness amongst the chaos.
They’ve perfectly understood what the scene needs, effortlessly delivered it, and made it accessible for all - not to mention addicting. So if you’re also sick of seeing the same DJ’s, the same lineups and the same lack of inclusivity on your nights out - the Wrong’uns will be here with arms wide open, dominating the scene with love, light and freakiness for the foreseeable!
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