Photo: Ildar Sagdejev (Specious), CC BY-SA 4.0. Illustrative where it does not show the subject of the story
A drum and bass flyer is a compressed piece of information. It names the artists, the venue, the hours and often some code words that insiders understand at a glance. If you are new to nights, it can look impenetrable. This guide decodes the main parts.
The headliner and the order
Names are usually arranged by size, with the headliner largest at the top. But the order on the poster is not necessarily the order of the sets. The headliner often plays near the end, though in some nights they play earlier so that the crowd can disperse. Check for a timetable, which many organisers publish closer to the date.
b2b and the extended set
b2b means back to back. Two DJs share the decks and play alternately, often a record each, sometimes for hours. It can be a highlight, as the pair respond to each other's choices. Some flyers also specify the length of a set, such as a two hour set, which tells you the headliner has time to build rather than playing a short burst.
Hosted by
The word hosted tells you who is on the microphone. In drum and bass, the MC is part of the night. A named host will often introduce DJs, hype the crowd and keep the energy up between sets. The Hospital30 night in Brighton, for example, is billed as hosted by PVC.
Rooms and arenas
Larger venues have more than one room, each with its own sound system and often its own style. A night such as Critical Sound at fabric runs across three rooms, which means you can move between a heavy room and a more melodic one. Read the room names and the line ups for each so that you can plan your night.
Label nights and takeovers
A label night, such as a Metalheadz or Hospitality event, features artists from a label and tends to follow its taste. A takeover is when a label or crew takes over a room at a larger event. Both are good ways to explore a catalogue live.
Times and ages
Check the hours. Many nights run from 11pm to 6am, though some run earlier. Daytime events such as the History of Jungle at Outernet Live run from early afternoon to the evening. Check also the age limit. Many events are 18 and over, and venues enforce that strictly.
Tickets and tiers
Tickets are often sold in tiers, or releases, with the cheapest going first. If a flyer says a tier is sold out, it means that cheaper tickets have gone and the rest cost more. Buy from the organiser or the venue where you can, to avoid unofficial resales.
Reading between the lines
A flyer tells you a lot about a night. A long list of local DJs suggests a community event. A few big names suggests a headliner show. A wide spread of styles suggests a night designed for variety. Over time, you will learn to read it like a map.
