The Future Is Salvation

When we look back through our now considerable chapters of clubbing, we can re-collect a huge amount of brands, events & ventures that have made their way into our catalogue of calendars, although there are only a few that can claim the prize of being true milestones in our life, stand-out statements in the sea of shindigs that are mere shadows in comparison. And whilst recent times have seen some elevate themselves in our estimation, not least through our writing, we can count on just one hand, the brands that have not just stood the test of time, but continue to attract our attention just as much as the brave new faces that clamour for our cavorting. And one such brand is Salvation, the club that started as a small yet sophisticated Sunday soiree but has, over the years, grown into a international institution, touching on all corners of the globe, building on the superb success it had in London and making considerable waves overseas, influencing the clubbing lives of a wealth of nations that other brands such as Beyond can only aspire to.

Yet whilst Salvation is clearly now an international success, its grass roots will always be in London and whilst times & fortunes have definitely changed for promoter Steve Elliot & his terrific team here in the capital, there is no doubt that there remains a penchant for a Salvation party, those halcyon days at Cafe De Paris always a tough act to follow, but in new (ish) home Koko in Camden, the team may well have found the antidote. Indeed looking back to the beginning of the year, there was no doubt that the clubbing crowd certainly reacted favourably to Salvation’s return, having been absent for a good eighteen months since the trials & tribulations of Troxy, Mr Elliot & co pulling off a superb showing, the queues round Koko’s corner speaking volumes and the Salvation spectacle standing up significantly. Now if you happened to miss out on this prolific party, then you can live some of the moments, through our eyes at least, in our review “Fervent Following” which is still available via direct link http://discomatt.com/web/2011/01/club-review-fervent-following-salvation-the-return-saturday-1st-january/.

Captivating Koko

So, with London still very much the prize picking for Salvation, this coming Bank Holiday weekend will see it takes it’s very rightful place in the capitals clubbing calendar, with a resplendent return to Koko in Camden on Sunday 29^th May. Indeed Salvation will fit neatly into the schedule, Steve Elliot keen not to tread on too many toes (unlike some people we could mention!) in what has been labelled as “The Future”, the team keen to escape the trappings of its Cafe De Paris perception, along with the topsy turvy changes that saw it move from venue to venue. So, finding footing at Koko is the first important step in this future and what a fabulous footing it is, as, for us among many, Koo is without doubt the best of all the theatre style venues in London, a bohemian & baroque style in the making, yet with all the modern trappings that neatly blend to give the place an amazing atmospheric feel. The multi levelled balconies, the side alcoves and the expansive main space allow clubbers to find their favoured spot (we like a spot as you know!). Plus, with the deep burgundy colour scheme, Koko oozes sophistication, the elevated outside area a stylish sanctuary for smokers rather than the usual after thought spaces of other venues and whilst it may not have that superb sweeping staircase, we actually think the venue has every bit the opulence of Salvation’s historical home, meaning we can’t wait to party there again. And don’t forget, that Camden is a mere 6 minutes away from the West End by tube, making it as much, if not more accessible than any other option.

With that part of Salvation’s future sewn up, what else can you expect from the clubs new found direction? Well, to be honest, as of going to press, much of what’s in store has been kept under wraps, the promotions team keeping lips sealed and, despite having accosted Steve Elliot on Old Compton Street just last Friday, even we couldn’t get it out of him. However, from a press release point of view, we are pleased that that has been forthcoming, (especially given the unilateral decision by one of London’s biggest clubbing groups to remove us from theirs – what a lovely way to treat the press!!!) and, whilst we never tend to dwell on these PR pieces, we particularly like Salvation’s so wanted to share some of it with you too, as reading between the lines, we kind of get the feel for how this “The Future” party will be themed. The first part of the release goes as follows…..

“…..As the galaxy expands, and new worlds are discovered, there is only one thing that remains a constant throughout time…. SALVATION. This interstellar phenomenon is now the last in non virtual augmented recreation. A place were andriods can interface with humonoids, and cyborgs can truly sync up with transhumans. Login for a sonic sensation and give control over to our Digital Jockies who are programmed to remove your behavioural inhibitors, release your kenetic energy, keep those circuits humming, and saturate you in a pleasure of the highest frequency. Its time to waken from hyper sleep, dock your starship, and download your conciousness for an experience that will overload your systems. Welcome to clubbing in the 22^nd Century…..”

Now, whilst we haven’t seen the film, it looks like Salvation will be drawing on the influences of the iconic flick “Tron”, which received the re-make treatment just last year, “Legacy” been a huge hit in both conventional & 3D form, the buzz still brilliant 12 months on and, as a result, we expect this theme to be central to Salvation’s showing, stunning lighting & lasers employed to soar Koko intergalactic, with LED walls, CO2 jets & other exceptional effects never seen at a Salvation event before, creating a feel of complete “…Futuristic Aural Pleasure!…”. And the main stage will be the focal point of eye catching attention, although the P.A. performance is also still under wraps, so like a few bites of other detail, we will be beavering away in the coming days to bring you news, so keep your eyes peeled for a further focus as the Bank Holiday & Salvation’s Sunday stint on 29^th gets closer.

Iconic Image

What we can confirm however, is the music & the D.J. line up, Salvation calling on its terrific team of London based residents to rock Koko to its foundations with rip roaring rhythms. And who better to choose than the likes of Miswhite, Pier Morrocco, Paul Coals & Oliver M to mastermind the music in the main room, while the VIP lounge will sport Gaydar Radio’s Phil Marriott, along with Howard Turner. Now, our little Emma (Miswhite) packed a powerful punch at Salvations NYD bash, setting the scene superbly and we can expect from same from her again, plenty of uplifting beats intermixed with stylish vocal infused tracks to really get this “Future” party going, while Pier Morrocco, having stole the As One show at Easter, will surely show off more of the fantastic form he is in at the moment, we absolutely loving his style of sound, pumping progressive, tech toned bucket loads of beats that will send Salvation stratospheric. Then in both Paul Coals & Oliver M, this “Future” party has two stalwarts that will steer the Salvation ship along superbly, keeping the pace octane fuelled & the party prolific right through till end dying seconds, while over in the VIP lounge, we simply cannot wait to sample heaps of Marriott magic, akin to those euphoric evenings at Profile Bar, as he pulls out plenty of heavenly hits from his considerable collection. And, if you haven’t sampled any of these tremendous talents magnificent music, then go check our postscript for links to their podcast pages.

Now, given the fact there is more to share on this Salvation shindig, we will be bringing you that further focus as news hits our desks, at which stage we will run down the all important detail of this delectable diary date. However, with the impetuous for this outstanding outing increasing by the day, it’s worth noting the following information now and also acting on grabbing your ticket for this unmissable event which, we remind you, takes place on Sunday 29^th May at Koko Club in Camden, doors opening at 7 p.m. and the club running through to a planned 2 a.m. finish. Advance tickets are already on sale priced at £20, with the VIP option a mere £5 more, that package including a separate entrance, free coatcheck & access to the exclusive VIP area, which you can either grab online at http://gaypartix.com or in person at Prowler, Profile Bar & Barcode in Soho, as well as the latter’s sister venue in Vauxhall, along with the Camden, Clapham & Covent Garden branches of Soho Gyms. You can also enquire via Salvation’s Facebook page or at their website http://salvation-london.com, where details of VIP tales & boxed can also be obtained, a sort email to steve@salvation-london.com receiving your priority attention.

So, it definitely seems that the future is looking bright for Salvation and come Sunday 29^th May, when you make it up to Koko in Camden, you will see exactly why, leaving us to end this preview by simply saying, make sure you “Go There! Be There! (DISCO MATT)

Postscript

Now to those music details and these are the sites you need to soak your ears with stack loads of superb Salvation sounds and prepare yourself for “The Future”, as these stars take you intergalactic with their magnificent music.

Miswhite                     http://miswhite.podomatic.com

Pier Morrocco             http://piermorrocco.podomatic.com/

Oliver M                      http://djoliverm.podomatic.com

Paul Coals                   http://djpaulcoals.podomatic.com

Phil Marriott                http://djphilmarriott.podomatic.com