07/08/2017
This ain't a great photo but Optimo 20 was beautiful. I was introduced to these guys when my elder brother's pal Robbie gave me their New Year mix CD in 1998. Being an impressionable 14 year old and hearing this the year after I got my first set of belt drives must take a lot of credit for why I continue to work in music today. Still love that mix because it's fu***ng amazing.
It's obvious to say that Optimo had a huge influence on myself and Numbers. I think it's more important to talk about the general feeling from these guys of open minded-ness, inclusion, and an anything goes mentality which is so important across the board now more than ever. It's easier to go linear, but much more fun to keep things interesting.
The Sub Club after party was electric, literally all my friends at once. Couldn't stop dancing. Definitely in the top 3 experiences I've had there and I've been going to the unders since I was 13 so there are a few to contend with. I had to go outside as I was finding it too much in a good way (.. if you ask, I was just on the IPA). SWG3 was everything a festival of that scale could be (apart from maybe me missing Sal P play Optimo at the end). You could see and hear that everyone was putting 100% into it, hats off to Sean Revill, Shaun Murphy, Mutley and the rest of the crew.
Thanks for all your dedication Keith & Jonnie, please keep doing what you do best, and happy birthday Optimo.