Hardcore, you know the score — and this night was pure angelic carnage.
I decided to take myself on a solo pilgrimage to Bristol for the Totally ’Ardcore 20th Birthday at the Clock Factory — a personal challenge, a Hardcore celebration, and a chance to prove to myself that I could rave alone and still thrive. Spoiler: I absolutely did.
🏨 Pre‑Rave Ritual: Moxy Bristol
Checked into the Moxy and instantly felt like I’d made the right call.
- Sleek, modern, chiq interior
- Friendly staff
- A complimentary cocktail that set the tone beautifully
There’s something about sipping a free drink in a stylish lobby before a rave that makes you feel like the main character.
😇 Theme: Angels & Devils — I Went Full Angel Mode
The theme was angels and devils, and I committed HARD.
I rolled out in pure white from head to toe, glowing like a celestial cyber angel. Wings, white outfit, ethereal energy — the full divine fantasy.
Uber app tried to sabotage the mission, so after a couple of Punks I just walked it.
Picture this: me, shimmering in white, strutting through Bristol like a rave‑ready guardian angel.
And the best part?
No one even blinked.
That’s why Bristol is elite — individuality isn’t just accepted, it’s celebrated.
🎟️ Arrival: 9PM — Early Crew Represent
Got there bang on opening.
Barely a queue.
Free jelly shot on entry.
Quick pat‑down.
Straight up the stairs to the merch stall like a woman on a mission.
VIP goodies secured:
- USB loaded with 47 mixes from 20 years of Totally ’Ardcore
- Whistle (mandatory Hardcore accessory)
That USB alone is basically a cultural artefact.
🔊 Main Room: Early Energy, Big Sound, Intimate Vibes
The crowd was still warming up, but the sound system was already punching through my chest.
Clock Factory’s layout means the front row is practically inside the DJ booth — you’re close enough to see every knob twist, every mix, every grin.
I grabbed my usual front‑row spot and instantly felt the bass lift me.
The lights, the lasers, the early‑doors anticipation — it all hit at once.
Drink prices were standard rave economics:
- £7 for a 440ml
- 2 for £13
- Punk IPA 330ml for £6 (my loyal companion)
🤝 Rave Fam: Adopted on Arrival
Within minutes, I’d been absorbed into a lovely little crew at the front.
We shared glowsticks, saved each other’s spots, and kept the energy flowing.
There’s something magical about the Hardcore crowd — warm, protective, chaotic in the best way.
This is why the scene feels like home.
🎧 The Lineup: A Hardcore Hall of Fame
The night was stacked with legends, and every set hit differently:
- Al Storm — high‑energy chaos, flawless transitions
- Force Experience — nostalgia, emotion, pure Hardcore history
- Hixxy — uplifting, euphoric, classic vibes
- Slipmatt — the godfather himself
- Vibes & Livelee — iconic duo energy
- Kickback
- Con Con
Special shoutout to Miss Special K going B2B with Slipmatt — the chemistry, the energy, the crowd reaction… unreal.
And then the moment that shook the room:
Slipmatt’s first vinyl set in 20 years.
You could feel the emotion.
You could feel the history.
You could feel the love for the scene.
🎤 Stage Access: The Angel Ascends
Didn’t realise we were allowed on stage until halfway through Hixxy — classic me.
But once I clocked it, I was up there like a shot.
Being that close to Hardcore royalty felt surreal.
You’re not just watching the rave — you’re inside it.
🔥 Harder Room: A Different Dimension
Headed upstairs to the Harder room for the first time.
360° stage setup — visually stunning, but barely anyone stood behind the DJs.
Different crowd up there: more alternative, more intense, less cuddly.
Still good vibes, just a different flavour.
💔 Tribute to DJ/MC Angel
A deeply emotional moment.
The room fell into a shared silence and reflection.
You could feel the love and respect radiating through the crowd.
🏁 Final Stats & Aftermath
48,000 steps.
Feet absolutely destroyed.
Left at 3:45am.
Walked back to the hotel like a battered but victorious angel.
Collapsed into bed glowing — spiritually, emotionally, and probably literally from all the UV.
⭐ FINAL VERDICT
Totally ’Ardcore 20th Birthday wasn’t just a rave — it was a pilgrimage.
A celebration of Hardcore history.
A personal victory.
A reminder that the scene is alive, loving, and legendary.
Solo rave mission: completed with honours.
Anxiety: obliterated.
Angel aesthetic: served to the gods.
Hardcore spirit: activated at 200%.
