The only way to spend bank holiday weekend
Words by Morgan Lockwood-James
Photos by Elliot Jones
This bank holiday Sunday saw the heavily anticipated return of No Merci. Heading back to the last UK based No Merci, Skepta’s Brit After-Party, Omeara, it was set to be a movie from the moment the flier dropped. Playing host to some of the UK’s most-reputable DJs; including the likes of DJ Maximum, Siobhan Bell, Sir Spyro, P Montana, Ralph Hardy and many others. Split over two rooms, the place was bursting by the seams by 12AM. An impressive feat on a Sunday, be it bank holiday or not.
The night started out with DJ Maximum on decks supplying the rave with successive bangers of all genres, including his own dubs from some of the worlds hottest MCs. With some of Londons finest faces in attendance as always the vibe was always set to be correct. Everything was on point, even to the friendly security guards. If you go out enough, you know why thats key. Namely one called Renkin, my guy.
After Maxi filled up the room with heads per norm, Grime pioneer Sir Spyro of Rinse FM took to the stage.
Running through classic grime hits that have helped shoot grime to worldwide acclaim in the last few years, it was almost like a celebration of London’s own culture.
Fortunately enough for Omeara’s guests it hosts its own “Room” as such, in the bar. Ralph Hardy kept the vibes faultless throughout the night in this position, with bare RnB classics to help you man at the bar.
Siobhan Bell took to the decks later in the night taking us through through a host of BBK and Section Boyz tunes paying homage to the guys themselves in the house. Mosh Pits running wild. Yeah it was all mad.
By this point the floor is full of empty cups and theres no walking space. After a quick changeover, DJ Maximum is back behind the boards. Everyone knows what time it is. The whole rooms full of flashes as Suspect OTB bursts on to stage with the beat of “Bad and Boujee” blaring for his cover of the Migos tune “Trapway”. Shutting down the dance in an instant, barely needing to spray the bars because the crowd were spitting it for him. Next up he come through with his own anthem “Weebey” which is his nickname if you didn’t know. Moving onto his hit with Giggs, “I Wonder What” Maximum was forced to wheel it at least three times as the mosh pit was about as big as the dance floor by this point. Lastly, Sus ended the rave flamboyantly with “FBG” with about four chains round his neck, having the whole room going mad. Another two wheel ups down and he’s finally allowed by the crowd to finish his track and bounce off stage.
There was so much that went down at the UK’s Third No Merci Event, it won’t be the last so I’ll leave some to the imagination for you guys. See you next time.
