Lovechild Is Back

Having been out of action ourselves for a few weeks, it seems the scene has also been missing one of its favourite brands & promoters, both Lovechild & Alex Erfan having very much dipped under the radar. In fact, searching through our archives it was back in May that this lovable brand showed its hand at Fire on a Saturday, yet despite it also having shown its hand at As One at the last bank Holiday, it has now been well over a month since the scene has savoured this colourful club in the capital. However, while London may have been missing out, Alex & his team have been bevering away across in the continent, parties in Antwerp & Lyon, added to a host of others that have combined record it’s most successful year yet. Then, when we thought all things Alex had gone quiet on the western front, not only will this coming Saturday (9^th July) see one of our favourite clubbing brands consume the capital, but the following weekend it heads north of the border to Edinburgh to help celebrate the start of the cities fringe festival.

Super Lovers & Super Heroes

So, let’s take a look at London first and to the “Super Lovers” event that should surely see Lovechild reclaim its stake on the Saturday scene, its promoter very much playing on the brands strength, the word “Love” no less, he explaining to us that, “…, Lovechild has always been, first and foremost, about the love, love of life, love of self, love of the music, love of mankind…” , quite a substantive claim, but if you have been to any Lovechild event, you will know exactly what Alex means, as no club can claim to have a more friendly crowd, while the club itself gives gives & gives, love oozing out of its pours. Indeed, looking back across the score of events across the last twelve months, the Lovechild team have always pushed the envelope, entertaining us with some of the most prolific P.A.’s, an incredible list of international D.J. guests and a resident list that puts virtually every club in the capital to shame. But come this Saturday, whilst much of the fabulous formula remains the same, Lovechild is certainly taking the club to a higher level, Mr Erfan adding that “…Lovechild returns to Fire, with an incredible international line-up of DJs and performers in celebration of those who take love to the next level, so called the SUPERLOVERS…”

And he isn’t wrong as not one, not two, but three international D.J. stars will be centre staging this “Supper Lovers” come super heroes event as we have been reliably informed that new Lovechild dance director Nik Ripley has drawn on his previous experience working closely with Matinee in London to gather together some of the best looking go-go’s in town, while Alex’s right hand man Nhamo has drawn on the services of Invincible Rubber to create a whole host of super hero costumes that look like putting those sported by Spanish counterpart WE Party this last weekend, very much into the shade. And whilst you may think that this is a case of copy cat (possibly Cat Woman!), Alex informs us that this super heroes theme to his “Super Lovers” party has been in the making for quite a while, probably accounting for Lovechild’s absence from the capitals scene. But, while Nik has some gorgeous go-go’s to pop out our eyes, Mr Erfan will be pulling his drag queen contact strings, a very special star flying in from Tel Aviv that will simply take your breath away, especially when she does her Wonder Woman twirl.

Main Man Medina

So, with the eye candy entertainment deal sealed, what can we expect from the music? Well, as we hinted, three international D.J.’s for a start, Matinee’s newest resident & a feature among our short(ish) list of firm favourites (are we allowed?…yes), Javier medina making a welcome return to London, having featured both for Lovechild & As One last year, but having really grown into his international status following that matinee appointment in December. Having made a name for himself stateside, with gigs in Miami, New York, Javier’s year has slowly been accelerating, especially in recent weeks as the build up to Barcelona’s Circuit Festival takes him right across Europe & even as far as Canada & South America. And naturally he will feature large in the twelve day festival in his home city in August, so landing him in London in the middle of his heavy schedule is a coup for the Lovechild team & one we cannot wait for. Plus, his current style of deep tech & tribal house will definitely be taking Lovechild to a new level, we reckoning you will dig his superb sounds which we suspect will be very much akin to those of his “Happy Tech House” mix which is well worth a listen at http://soundcloud.com/javier-medina/happytechhouse2011.

Masterful Mikey

As for the other two stars?, well one is really well known to us, having looked after us amazingly during our recent visit to Muccassassina in Rome, Micky Galliano being a resident of the truly awesome club, while his D.J.’ing C.V. reads impeccably, clubs he has played including Ministry Of Sound, Vertigo and Azuli, not to mention Gay Village & SuperMartXe, while bulky brand Bear Necessity is part of his repertoire as it club & record label Deviate, along with London’s Barcode, Queer Nation, Tonker & now Lovechild. And whilst we were hoping he would lay down a compilation marking his inclusion in this “Super Lovers” event, it was Bear Necessity’s Pride event last weekend that benefitted from a Micky mix, one like Javier’s, giving you a good idea of what to expect from Mr Galliano come Saturday, so a listen must by going to http://soundcloud.com/micky-galliano/bear-necessity-london-pride. As for the other international star, what we can tell you is that he comes from Russia, Moscow in fact, although has played as far afield as Greece, Holland & Spain, although it is his home city where he has made his mark, having been at the top of the scene game there since 2006. Representing SuperMartXe in the Russian capital, he has also played for SMX in Amsterdam, while he has recently also swapped ship to play for WE Party internationally.  And his name?  Well it’s Saeed Ali, not quite the Russian influence you would expect, he having a distinct Mediterranean come Middle Eastern look & charm, his latest claim to fame being the driving force behind new club brand “Alimania”, he having dedicated two compilations to the club, both which are out at http://soundcloud.com/dj-saeed-ali.

With the international trio taking up the main room mantle, Lovechild “Super Lovers” will be extending across two other rooms, Fire’s mirrorarch space, known in Lovechild terms at The Contact Room, will sport resident original Alessandro Londra, with recent entrant Marco Gee, while in the Love Lounge, its Brent Nicholls following on from D.J. Savin, while in terms of the all important detail, this Lovechild “Supper Lovers” party takes place this coming Saturday (9^th July) at Fire in Vauxhall, Mr Erfan mentioning that, “…After all the Pride Parties, we know you need to give your wallet a little rest so we are giving you the opportunity to enjoy this incredible party for as little as £5. Yes, you read that right – just £5!…”, the team having released 250 £5 tickets online at http://alexerfan.com as a thank you to faithful Lovechild supporters and fans, meaning its online you go to grab this special offer, tickets also available on the door, which opens at 11 p.m., the club running through until 6 a.m., while free wrist band entries to beyond will be up for grabs for the first 100 through Lovechild’s doors.

From Fire To Fever

Fast forwarding a week & Lovechild makes that move north, teaming up with Edinburgh’s finest Fever at The Liquid Rooms in the Scottish capital, the marriage of minds looking like one made in heaven, plus promising to form an on-going partnership that should spurn regular residencies for Alex & his team over the border (or is that Hadrian’s wall?!). And for this first foray next Saturday (16^th July), Mr Efra will be taking the cream of his team with him, Lovechild resident D.J Tony English travelling north, as will by superb P.A. & vocalist Lizzie France, not to mention nee Lovechild dance director Nick Ripley & his troupe of go-go’s. They will be joined by Fever D.J. residents Brian Fisher & Mark Price, across Liquid Rooms hi-tech main space, that sports the latest sound equipment, lighting & visual effects that will dazzle & delight, while there will be a distinct festival feel with lots of magic & miracles from a host of entertainers to top off the dancing & music. With further details available at http://alexerfan.com, advance tickets priced at just £10 are already on sale online at http://clubtickets.com/gb/2011-07/16/fever-meets-lovechild-edinburgh-liquid-room.

Liquid Lovechild

Now here’s a bit of details on Fever’s past to give you a feel of just how much of an iconic club it has become in Edinburgh. Fever was launched at Club Ego in March 2004, the night having been created by the people behind the legendary Sunday night clubbing institution, Taste, which ran in Edinburgh for just over 16 years. Fever was very much developed to satisfy the demands of Taste members who could no longer make it to their former favourite on Sunday nighter, this new monthly Saturday night club quickly becoming an immediate success and from day one filling to capacity. The Fever philosophy of open minded and attitude free clubbing coupled with a very tight door policy ensured that only the best of Edinburgh’s party people would be allowed to enter the event which made for one of the friendliest atmospheres of any club in the city .Fever’s D.J. resident team  know how to keep their crowd happy and the clubs success was undoubtedly due terrific talents & Edinburgh favourites Brian Fisher & Mark Prince, both famed for playing uplifting & accessible house in the main arena, while Jon Pleased Wimmin and Kaupuss sported an anything goes music policy in the basement. Fever remained an integral part of the Edinburgh club scene until January 2010 when host club Ego was forced to close its doors due to severe fire damage, although such has been the demand for its return, Fever was, in the nature of its name, feverishly organising a return, The Liquid Rooms refurbishment the opening it need & now the joining of forces with Lovechild, the icing on the club nights cake. More info on The Liquid Rooms can be found at http://liquidroom.com.

So, two Lovechild love in’s “From Fire To Fever” to fulfil your clubbing desires and whilst we won’t be heading north, as commitments here in the capital will stop us travelling with the Lovechild team, we will be down at Fire this Saturday, so if you see us out, come say hi, but regardless, make Lovechild “Super Lovers” a date & ensure you “Go There! Be There! (DISCO MATT)