Shy FX, Noisia & more, Xplicit's 3rd Birthday, Potterrow, Edinburgh, 25 Jan

From the explosive launch night in 2005, Xplicit quickly established itself as Scotland's high flyer, combining the biggest and the best with some of the sickest residents around. Even Edinburgh University's Potterow with its 1000 capacity has struggled to contain the scale of Xplicit's orbit sized events over the past year. For what stratosphere are they next destined? January 2008 will tell, as we see Xplicit storming into their third year. If the birthday bash line up is anything to go by, it's going to be another stupendous year for d'n'b in these parts. Headliner Shy-FX has been wrapped up in producing his new album to be released in March, collaborating with Kano and compadre Dizzee Rascal, with whom he worked on 2007's Maths and English. Noisia (Vision) make their long-awaited return with their flawless miscellany of breaks and techy d'n'b, after testifying in an interview that Xplicit was their favourite 2006 show. Also, Sub Focus is set to unleash a coiled spring of new album material (courtesy of Andy C's Ram Records), and supporting them all be ENO, Paul Reset, Morphy, and MCs Eksman, Tonn Piper and BZ. Like d'n'b? Then don't miss this! [Rosie McLean]