Ed Banger
An excruciating hangover is a small price to pay in exchange for an event like this. The line-up (no, not the one for beer – the only downer of the night) was stacked with high-energy electro acts and stablemates of the world-conquering Justice. DJs Mehdi, Sebastian, Feadz, Busy P (founder of Ed Banger and manager of Daft Punk), and So Me brought it large, along with foul-mouthed cutie Uffie. Busy P and So Me took the decks at HITEC first, playing to about 1,000, who, unfortunately, were split between the dancefloor and the sectioned-off drinking area at the back of the arena. The party really came to life, however, when Feadz spun his huge hip-hop beats and was joined by a crowd-surfing Uffie, who, though average on the mic, at least knows how to get the crowd going: one move had her leaning off the stage pressing her body up against clammy hands in the crowd. Night-closers Mehdi and Sebastian had to be content with smaller crowds as punters lost energy in the wee hours, but their electro-licious sets hit the ball out of the fucking park.

Runner-up: Derrick May
You gotta give it up for the godfather of techno. By far one of the most animated DJs we’ve seen in a long time, May was all over the decks at Cliq. The Detroit native’s layers of beats and distortions confirmed his knowledge of ‘The Machine’. Although the event was poorly attended, those who were front and centre got what they came for: the best of Detroit techno from the man who created it.

Second runner-up: 2manydjs
It seems like an age ago now, but this party was one of the most packed nights Volar had in 2008. As soon as the Belgian Soulwax brothers got their hands on the decks, the crowd went berserk, transforming the dance area into a sweaty mosh pit. The end of the night never really came – or at least, we don’t remember it.

Honourable Mention: Boys Noize
A huge night at Volar – but perhaps too huge. As the crowds crammed in, it was hard to get a piece of the German electro DJ as he peeled off the sensational, banging hits that have made him the hottest property on the dance circuit this year.

Readers' choice: Danny Rampling + Jay Kay
Seems you readers just love a big name, even if Jay Kay from Jamiroquai only found time for a handful of songs at dragon-i's super-packed sixth-birthday party. Rampling played an impressive set next, but many partiers had already left in search of roomier pastures.