The build up was mind boggling, the anticipation was at fever pitch and our emotions were on a knife edge, but as the reality & then enormity of WE Party London’s “Formula 2” event began to play out, we were totally amazed by this awesome anniversary, but what made this WE the best ever?!?
When it comes colossal & captivating clubbing and to staging spectacular shows, creating that wow factor, it seems the Spanish have it down to a fine art, a whole host of brands both well established & relatively new to the game, proving that no other nation can touch them in terms of size, spectacle & theatre. Yes the Brazilians have a good crack, The Week an excellent example, while Italy’s Muccassassina has a reputation for eye catching entertainment. But, for us especially, it is the likes of Matinee, SuperMartXe, La Troya, Cafe Ole & Space that have held and (in some cases) continue to hold the key when it comes to what has become an amazing addition to the clubbers experience on the capitals circuit. Indeed, who can forget the significant splash that Matinee made when it first landed in London back in 2006, a subsequent five season stint seeing it pretty much transform the style of what we would term as super size clubbing, opening a floodgate for others to follow, SuperMartXe then stepping up showtime yet another level, who can forget “Under The Sea”, “Hot Wheels” & Samurai”, each showcasing spectacular effects & props that set that standard bar higher than any other club before it.
But there was to come a new pretender to this colossus clubbing crown, a brand born out of the desire for something quite daring, dynamic & different and one that from the minute it marked its first meet on the capital’s clubbing circuit calendar, not only turned heads but got tongues wagging with it’s simple yet striking name & its first party theme, both which would set it on the road to not only succeeding SuperMartXe to the top of the London clubbing tree, but knocking into virtual oblivion as it wooed & wowed clubbers with its “New Formula” of fun. Yes, it was December 2010 and WE Party had landed in London, nothing short of pulling the rug from under SuperMartXe’s feet, leaving it floundering in the wings while WE stood smartly in the spotlight, its USB, the now infamous LED displays on a more gigantic scale than had ever seen before, while that formula of fun has exuded from every single event since that London launch, WE not scared of poking fun at itself, themed events such as “Attacks”, drawn from the Mars Attacks film & “Candy” very much a parody of Charlie & The Chocolate Factory, while “Fast Food” was seen as some as quite tacky but that was exactly the point.
Yet while WE may have been born & bred in Madrid, in London and venue The Coronet, it had a set up that virtually mirrored La Riviera both in size and stature, while in the two years WE Party has been captivating clubbers in the capital, they have been fortunate to see no less than a dozen premiere’s of successive event themes, just 2012 along seeing “Safari”, “Pharaoh”, “Fast Food” & “Hi Japan” all splash their splendour in London first, while “Fluro” remains an exclusive event that has yet to be shown elsewhere. However, the wonder of WE has achieved so much more than its predecessor which, while championing cutting edge clubbing, had a serious style & uncomfortable attitude to it, while Victor Pallas & his team have been at pains to propel that fun element, not just through the themes, the stage shows & those now instinctive LED displays, but also through the music, lightening the mood with more vocal injections & less of the tough tech & tribal that had begun to dominate the euro-style clubbing sound. And with Spanish superstar Carlos Gallardo on board, they had the perfect protagonist of this new lighter & more upbeat musical movement, while the capital’s ace in the playing card pack, Steve Pitron, proved as much of a heavenly house music hand as his Balearic buddy, these two incredible individuals more than any others, making an unbeatable WE combination that would further propel London as the premier place to purvey these prolific parties. So, with the 2nd anniversary looming, it came as no surprise that the capital would once again show the way for Spain to follow, the fevered anticipation for & expectation of WE’s birthday bash “Formula 2” totally consuming us for not just hours or days, but weeks before that actual night itself.
However that night was with us, a liaison with the mini Pitron posse before arriving at The Coronet only served to heighten that fevered anticipation and, now, excitement, that what we had told ourselves would be the best WE party yet, had the feeling that it was going to be just that, beautiful Brazilian Bel’s nerves worse than ours, while our new found friend and disco babe, James, was the calming influence amidst this clatter of pre-clubbing cacophony. However, with a hop, a skip & a jump (or rather a car sprint) we found ourselves revving our valves at the doors of this “Formula 2” event, the warming welcome of both JJ Clark & Tom Fuller serving to further calm our emotional engine that was ready to roar into action. And it wasn’t long before we were in, both AAA & VIP passes in hand, heading for the stage which was to prove our primary stomping ground for the majority of this superb 2nd anniversary spectacle. And on the stage in his own pole playing position was D’Johnny, who had already set the early “Formula 2” race rhythm pace, sprinting off the sound starting line akin to Michael Schumacher, weaving in & out and up & down his tech infused track of tunes with exceptional effect, a crowd that was building before our very eyes, lapping up his twists & turns as he shot through a captivating chicane of sound choices including his ultimate WE track pick, his own bootleg of Michael Gray, Damism & Rae’s “You Will Remember”.
However, it was the VIP balcony that was our next destination, although we steering ourselves towards to front bar first to pick up our firm friend James, at the same time bumping into familiar faces aplenty, not least old Industri pal Chris Wilcox who was making his first foray to WE in a while and was keen to catch up on lost time. So, having completed our own little catch up with Chris, it was our first pit stop for refreshments that was the order of the marshalled moment, the VIP balcony already brimming with boys & girls eager to let their party hair down, Mark’s McKenzie & Williams amongst them, while Verity Mayes was in our midst too, although it would be Mr Pitron & his tickling pranks that was play out for the next part of this engrossing event, Steve chasing & goading us as well as employing the services of strangers to surprise & trap us into ticking squirms & squeals, much to the delightful hilarity of both Mark’s & many around. But while we were distracted by these Pitron pranks, The Coronet was filling out like never seen before, a glance of the dancefloor seeing wall to wall bodies, spinning & swaying to D’Johnny’s superb sounds, the stage & LED displays still to fire into full-on action, although the atmosphere was already amazing, a real buzz about the place, very much akin to an F1 circuit, shimmering as the score of racing cars circulate with stunning speed.
But the already significant sound speed of this “Formula 2” was about to substantial shot in the heavenly house music arm from scene superstar Steve Pitron who, behind our back, had sprinted across to the stage ready for his set and was waving us over, text messages calling for our company vibrating in our pocket and before we could grab our own pole position next to our premier player, Mr Pitron had swept aside his Schumacher podium player, D’Johnny heading for a race retirement, while, like Sebastian Vettel, our man hit the front with a bonanza of beats that starting with the crowd pleasing “Somebody I Used To Know”, while the enormity of this all-encompassing experience was already beginning to erupt our emotions, both Bel & Steven Galo by our side, through no fault of their own, making tear tumbling matters worse. But it was Steve Pitron’s perfectly positioned picks that would prove the trademark tears catalyst, first “Timebomb” hitting us hard, then “Can’t Stop Me” living up to its title, as our joyful tears were now on constant tap, the lengthy build up to this “Formula 2” event manifesting itself in a release never seen on this scale ever before. But the magic of the music & our privileged pole position on stage had left our disco babe James bereft on the dancefloor we checking in to make sure he was okay, before allowing ourselves to further sink into the splendour of what would prove yet another pitch perfect Pitron performance of a scintillating set.
Now we were ready for the stage shows to commence, the drop dead gorgeous dancers, all scantily dressed, passing by us within touching distance as they sought to assume their positions, although this would prove one of a couple of false starts, drive through penalties served while Steve’s sound selections continued to erupt our emotions. With Bel’s favourite tune of now, “To The Moon & Back” one, we succumbed to “Symphony”, galloped to “Gotta Be You” & dived into “I Do”. But as if all this activity wasn’t exciting & enthralling enough, a tap on our shoulder saw Balearic beatmaster Carlos Gallardo appear, this one of the huge highlights we had been looking forward to, he giving us a huge hug & then falling into an impromptu dance with us as well as catching up ahead of his own spectacular set. But with the dancers back, including Elektra Paris & Le Menor, who, just like Carlos & Steve, are intrinsic individuals without whom WE in London is never the same, while we remarking to ourselves that our vocation at this pivotal point in “Formula 2” proceedings, that our vocation doesn’t get any better, to be on stage with all these stars, now including P.A. Soraya Naoyin, while camera clickers Nico Montenegro & Chris Jepson were also on hand shoot all these stars of the simply superb show & spectacle that has already become the best WE party in London yet.
With the first of two Soraya P.A. performances over, it was back to those trademark tumbling tears for us, as further Steve selections would erupt our emotions, so much so that we needed to take our leave of the stage, having soaking up the unfolding fabulous string of “Formula 2” inspired visuals, these without doubt the best we have seen at a WE party yet, our retreat away from the stage only serving to substantiate that claim, the while chequered flag effect in front of the D.J. booth & the expanse of multi faceted formula style imagery impressive to say the least. But with a complete calamity with ordering a drink for the prolific disco spinning Steve, sending us to & fro between the main & VIP bars dampening our stratospheric spirits that had been speeding Scuderia style, a simply stupid stocking slip up leaving us lacking the lemonade for our D.J.’s drink, although all that was to be forgotten in an instant as the next Pitron pick sent us soaring again, the towering Taito Tikaro track “Not Alone” brandishing us breathless with its brilliance, this the first time it had captivated us in a club. And it seemed we weren’t alone, the sea of revellers below us on the dancefloor reacting resplendently, as they had for his whole set. However, there was still more to come, an what a track it would be, Steve’s own ultimate WE choice a recent find that had spellbound us from the moment its majesty marauded us, “Beautiful Lie” the perfect curtain call to an equally perfect performance, while the last Steve sound shout would go to “Must Be The Feeling” another towering & tear tumbling tune.
So, it was now Carlos Gallardo’s turn to try & set the “Formula 2” sound lap record that had be scored by Steve with each successive superb selection, although not before Soraya had completed her second stint on stage, her anthem, the Albert Neve classic “She Loves” a sure-fire inclusion certainty. But the spotlight was on the Fernando Alonso of the WE Party “Formula 2” package, as our Spanish superstar D.J. set about delivering a dance dream of a drive that would have made his F1 comparable proud, a brilliant blend of tech infused treats & uplifting vocal injections, a string of Adele choices playing into the capacity cavorting clubbing crowds hands, not least our disco babe James, whom we had joined down on the main floor and who was showing his dancing dexterity to dynamic effect, outstripping many of those performing on stage & certainly impressing us immensely. But with Steve in close call & hardly room to swing a cat in a space that was crammed with cavorters including Celso & plenty more of the Brazilian bunch, Mhardeen spotting us from afar, while Luis was flying, it would be the Pitron tickling pranks that would leave us cowering in the corner, even James piling in, one amusing attack after the other leaving us sunk in submission. Our antics aside, Carlos was still the centre of attention, his set showing at “Formula 2” akin to that Fernando Alonso comparable, the words brilliance, character, consistency, excellence, exuberance & flair, exemplifying what was a solid & sterling set that captivated the capacity crowd from start to finish, cementing him as a capital & Coronet clubbing crowd favourite.
With the action far from over, there was still plenty to savour as Carlos ploughed deep into his set showing, the Room Service second space having pulled in a considerable crowd of its own, Jodie Harsh’s deck turn complimented by resident regulars Fat Tony & Ariel, while hardly a space or spot was left untouched or filled throughout the venue, “Formula 2” without doubt the most popular WE event in London so far. And with the usual respite relax on the VIP balcony leaving us clambering for room to breathe, while back down on the dancefloor we were struggling to find our dancing feet due to simple lack of space, a sudden question mark hanging over whether there were too many people packed into the place to make it an enjoyable enough experience, having called time on this resplendent race, our retirement down to an agonising back, on seeing D.J. pal Pier Morrocco out front, we got the full perspective of the dreaded coatcheck issues, the lengthy lavatorial queues & the extended waits at the bar, all a product of the packed out popularity of this WE wonder. However, as we sunk into a sub zero Sunday morning to wend our way home, our overriding thoughts feelings were of appreciation into adoration, excellence to exhilaration & satisfaction to subliminity.
So what else can we say about this WE 2nd anniversary event that we haven’t already said? Well, having experienced virtually every single outing here in London since the launch back in 2010, we can say with confident qualification that this best by a long shot in comparison to the pack of parties, some of which we mentioned earlier. Yet while we acknowledge that “Formula 2” had some way to go to top “Safari” as our favourite & most fabulous WE party in London, it did so in leaps & bounds and in virtually every department, from visuals, to dance displays, from lighting effects to the magnificent music, all these indelible ingredients combining to make one enthralling event that has pushed the partying pedestal this brilliant brand already finds itself on in the capital, to new dizzy heights. And with so many people playing their part, we couldn’t conclude without sending major thanks to Victor Pallas & the whole of his Spanish crew, to Aaron Elder, Ben Kaye, Tom Fuller & the whole Orange Nation team in London, all who made both this gigantic gathering and all the others before it possible, along, of course, with the capacity crowd of clubbers, many faces familiar, others not so, that are also part of this prolific partying picture, special mentions to Bel, to, Celso, Steven Galo, Julia, Fabio, Mhardeen, and to Luis, but especially to our disco babe James who has breathed new life into this old dog in more ways than one and who proved captivating company even if we remain guilty for deserting him for our privileged position on the stage.
But with spectacular stage show performances also acknowledged, it is the D.J.’s who get the lion’s share of our plaudits, some sets we missed, while others we savoured, Paul Heron apparently playing out to a packed audience till close, while those Room Service spinners played the second space part to perfection. Indeed, such was the impression made upon us but the “Formula 2” D.J. drivers come players, we only thought it appropriate to celebrate the sounds from this stunning spectacle in a special feature and while we gave proportionate attention to each of the three, we remained reluctant to place them on that players podium, the temptation to nominate positions one, two & three tempered until now. And so, akin to their F1 comparables, for fans & followers of the 2012 season, it will come as no surprise that we find D’Johnny in third, while a superb set from Carlos Gallardo, in any other company would have made it to that premier podium position, he once again proving to us why we hold him in such high regard compared to his Spanish compatriots, not to mention his countryman Fernando Alonso. But it was Steve Pitron, the Sebastian Vettel of this “Formula 2” foray who crossed the chequered flag first, a simply stunning set that left us emotionally enthralled throughout, his choice picks hitting every heavenly house music mark we could mention, highlight ones without doubt “Not Alone” & Beautiful Lie”, while we would go as far to say that, just like this wonderful latest WE event & like his specially devoted podcast, this was the most phenomenal Pitron performance we have witnessed, no more to say. (DISCO MATT)
