Halloween brought with it many a trick and a treat this year, as Leeds partygoers were spoiled with the return of Sub Dub to the West Indian Centre. The perfect venue for such a friendly, welcoming crowd, the West Indian Centre strikes the perfect balance between conscious vibes and the accommodation of earth-shattering bass. A night that is adored by so many rarely fails to disappoint with the low-key, high tempo atmosphere it has created. The venture that is Sub Dub has established itself as the go-to night for dub and dub-reggae lovers and 2015 has been a year of celebration as the Channel One Sound System tour with the legendary Mad Professor to mark this momentous occasion.

With a rig stacked in every corner and the almost ritualistic congregation of steppers on the floor, Room 1 did not fail to disappoint. Hosted by Channel One Sound, the strictly vinyl, root-reggae, dub heavy beats resonated through the surrounding Chapel Town area to warm the typically cold, foggy Yorkshire air. Joined by the Mad Professor of Ariwa Studies, the ever-present Iration Steppas and Dan Man, Room 1 acted as a safe-haven for the utter madness that was unravelling next door.

Room 2 was a Bandulu records takeover and having grown up immersed in the Sound System culture at the heart of the colourful Bristol rave scene, Kahn & Neek proved well-equipped to fill the smaller, more intimate Room 2 with a combination of bangers that fall under the 140bpm umbrella. Accompanied by previous collaborator Commodo and McCs Riko Dan, Flow Dan and Killer P, Room 2 witnessed a cacophony of authentic grime, dark dubstep and killer bars to see the ravers into the early hours.

As we wave goodbye to another Sub Dub, we look to the future and to one again satisfy that omnipresent dub plate-shaped itch that can be matched by no other. If, like me, you can’t wait that long check out the Sub Dub Weekender at the start of December!

Zahaib Hussein

(Photo credits: SubDub)