Event Review: Alix Perez Returns to Bristol to Celebrate Ten Years of 1985 Music

A great label is more than the sum of its releases. Over time, a carefully curated catalogue becomes a shared reference point: certain tracks attached to certain nights, artists becoming synonymous with a particular sound, and a community gradually forming around it all. Over the last decade, Alix Perez’s 1985 Music has built exactly that. As part of the milestone celebrations, the label recently assembled a stunning 20-track VA compilation featuring the likes of Lenzman, Quartz and Simula alongside a host of 1985 mainstays and newcomers, documenting the distinct sonic identity that has been meticulously carved out over the last ten years. Now, off the back of an unforgettable takeover at Outlook Festival, Perez and the 1985 crew returned to Bristol to celebrate a decade of boundary-pushing bass music.

As the masses flocked into Bristol’s Prospect Building, many proudly sporting the unmistakable clothing designed by Perez himself, the sense of occasion was impossible to miss. Much like a sea of supporters descending on their home ground, the 1985 faithful had come out in full force, united by a decade’s worth of stellar releases, dances and memories. And this venue, nestled in the industrial heart of D&B’s eternal city, seemed as fitting a place as any to celebrate.

Kicking off proceedings was Dub Athlete, who expertly set the tone for the day with a calculated selection of weighty dubstep rhythms; the perfect way to warm up the dancefloor and put the mighty Raze soundsystem through its paces. Following up, Kiwi producer Paige Julia switched the pace with a heavy dose of multi-genre, screw-face cuts, setting the stage for a set that could easily headline any dubstep night: Bristol legend Pinch B2B with technical DJ extraordinaire Neffa-T, and Roll Deep veteran Trim on the mic. Seamlessly traversing grime, techno adjacency and system-rumbling 140, the trio delivered an early heavyweight session that established an intimidatingly high bar for the rest of the day.

A challenge that was faced head on. 1985’s own jungle wonderkid Napes and seasoned D&B operator Settle Down came through with a proper amen-infused workout, weaving lethal new tunes through timeless jungle classics, with LX One holding down the mic in fine style. Their B2B perfectly captured one of the things that has made 1985 so successful: a knack for unearthing fresh talent and new sounds – most recently from the likes of Napes, GLM and Rotate – while keeping one foot firmly planted in the foundations of the sound. With Calibre, Break and Skeptical among the scene pillars to have graced the label’s catalogue, and both Napes and Settle Down having released killer jungle EPs on the imprint over the past two years, the pair represented the latest link in that chain.

All the while, Room 2 was in full flow. Soulful specialist Imo-Lu got things moving, before the seasoned Tasha stepped up to bless the decks with a typically deep selection, moving effortlessly between wax and digital. Nectax then cranked the pressure, serving up a high-octane barrage of jungle business to a rapidly filling dancefloor; and things were only just warming up, with DJ Flight, Zero T and Fabio yet to come. Talk about rolling out the big guns; a testament to the impact of Perez’s imprint that a Room 2 lineup can be this stacked.

Back outside, Toulouse trio Visages, Monty and Trail stepped up to raise the temperature further still. As the grizzly Visages and Roachee collaboration rattled the subs, it was clear that there would be nowhere to run during this set. Sixty minutes of the hardest hitting 140, techy rollers and soulful selections followed; a full 1985 showcase from three artists that have been hugely influential in shaping the label’s identity. To top it off, Manchester’s finest, Strategy, on hosting duties. Combine that ruthless, high-energy selection with mesmerising double time flows, an arsenal of iconic bars and elite crowd interaction, and you’re onto a real winner.

Up next, Molecular and Submarine: the former a relatively recent addition to the star-studded roster, the latter something of a 1985 veteran, having debuted back in 2018. Both have released standout projects on the label this year, and this link-up more than justified the head honchos continued support. An hour of heavyweight pressure from two outstanding producers, with both matching each other stride for stride as they tore through a lethal blend of hefty dubplates and familiar dancefloor weapons. With the Raze rig now firing on all cylinders, this was the kind of set that leaves you wondering just how much more the system can take.

T-minus two hours, and there was still absolutely no let-up. As the legendary Fabio took to the controls inside and GQ’s iconic rumbling voice rolled out over an eagerly anticipating crowd, every punter must have been wishing more than ever that they could be in two places at once, with 1985 stalwart and two-step maestro Cesco laying down some serious heat on the main stage. A bit of compromising saw the hour split between rolling liquid bliss from the jungle originator and a multi-genre schooling from the ‘Swing King’, rounded off with a heartfelt tribute to the late great Lenzman; a poignant moment, and a beautiful reminder of just how deep this thing runs. As LX One lauded the Bristol crowd for their unfaltering love of the music, the excitement for the 1985 chief was palpable.

The main event was here: Alix Perez and SP:MC. More than simply a tried-and-tested combination, this is a certified winning formula, SP’s unparalleled flow the perfect match for Perez’s rolling, precision engineered style. From the off, it was clear how this one was going play out. No messing, straight down to business with a dangerous VIP of HLZ’s ‘Roadblock’, opening the door to the darkest depths of Perez’s collection and a masterclass in controlled dancefloor destruction. A euphoric, soul-soaked interlude fuelled by that trailblazing liquid-funk sound that put the main man on the map over 20 years ago had the crowd floating way up high, before the pair dragged us back into the abyss. Perfectly crafted chaos, delivered by two of the greatest to do it.

Just like that, eight hours of dynamic, high-energy, first-class bass music drew to a close. As the final tune rolled out – a glitchy, absurdly heavy Shades dub that had the entire courtyard throwing shapes like nobody was watching – it was clear that it simply doesn’t get much better than this. A titan of the game, whose music has soundtracked countless moments in the lives of so many of those in attendance, shelling it out alongside a crew of outstanding artists who have helped turn his vision into this iconic imprint. While there’s no shortage of labels pushing bass music forward, few have carved out an identity as distinctive as Perez’s, let alone sustained it with such unwavering quality. There’s never been any sense of standing still, yet the foundations remain firmly intact: old heads and new blood, timeless rollers and freshly minted dubs, all brought together under the 1985 banner. It’s been quite the ride, and as the blinding lights came on, the feeling that this celebration could go on forever was hard to shake.

Fortunately, the festivities aren’t over just yet. On Friday 4th September, 1985 return to the capital for a highly anticipated link-up with HVYWGHT at Outernet. Exclusive 140 sets, killer B2Bs, and microphone royalty SP and Crazy D on hosting duties, this is certainly not one to be missed. A limited number of resale tickets are still available here.

Huge congratulations to Perez and the 1985 family on reaching the ten year milestone. Here’s to many more.