Live Review: We Are 10

As The Operatives' tenth birthday celebrations kick off, there is a sparse crowd at the perfectly chosen venue (Revolt). Revolt is large enough to separate the many activities and musical acts to come over the course of the ten-hour celebration but it's also fitting to who The Operatives are – unique and arty. With a plethora of DJs and producers from all over the world on the bill, celebrations begin with locals and Operatives crew Nam, Kuya and SilentJay on the main stage and Hansdown, Float and Lady Banton warming up the Backstreets stage. Each plays their respective brand of hip hop, electronic, drum'n'bass and footwork. All of this goes on whilst partygoers play in the miniature version of a sandpit box, smoke and chat in the outside area, admire art, check out one of the installations around the venue, enjoy some of the shorts in the cinema, watch T-shirts get screenprinted or spectate/partake in the science experiments on display (which include playing with fire and a Tomb Raider-style laser challenge).

Glasgow-based producer Koreless then takes the main stage and true to form, we hear a sci-fi-inspired set. Continuing things on this stage, audiovisual aficionado Sampology goes on to deliver a strong DJ set, focusing heavily on hip hop bangers. As Seattle producer Sango starts to set up on stage, it's evident that most of the now ample audience are here for his set. As the young'un plays from his back catalogue of remixes one particular audience member is losing his shit dancing/moshing/jumping along. Sango plays a fair few new mixes and incorporates a heavy dose of Drake into his set. Stwo is next to take the main stage, and the Parisian producer delivers, as does Sinjin Hawke, playing next.

Whilst all of this awesome live music is happening here, Hans DC, Able8, friendships, Fugitive and Sean Deans vs Edd Fisher play on the Backstreets stage (although, this room remains reasonably empty whilst the aforementioned artists play on the main stage). Around the 11pm mark, The Operatives crew take to the main stage with a cake and thank audience members for their attendance, while simultaneously congratulating themselves on ten years of basically being fucking awesome. Short speeches are delivered, headed by leader of the pack Jerry Poon (aka JPS) whilst Amin Payne begins his heavy hip hop and live production set on the Backstreets stage. As the night draws to a close, those who remain are left with a choice between Mark Pritchard + Steve Spacek and Pomo sets, with an even split attending each before finally wandering off into the cold night air. Congratulations to The Operatives on all of their success, past and present. Looking forward to the next decade!