With so much promise on the March, April & May horizon, while our back has been turned it seems that the coming together of like minded clubs & promoters has somewhat swerved off course, the clubbing change that was being championed having hardly hitting the ground yet alone started running. So what was the plan & where has it gone wrong?
If you followed our February Seventh Day Sermon’s you will have an clear idea of some of the issues that have been plaguing the scene in recent months, our post “Finding Our Favour Faltering” (http://discomatt.com/web/?p=7152) falling short of putting individuals’ names in the frames, but making no bones over who was responsible for dirty handed, competition crushing & other tactics that were serving to dent & damage the scene, some parts & some promoters irreparably. However, in our “Winds Of Clubbing Change” sermon serving (http://discomatt.com/web/?p=7266) it seemed that through all the awful antics & adversity there was much promise on the horizon of considerable clubbing change across the capitals circuit, many meetings & many words of new brands, new nights & new collaborations along with past parties coming back with a bang, And as March moved into view, it was looking very positive, a real sense that lots of the barriers being put up in front of D.J.’s & promoters by the protagonists continuing to monopolise their grip on parties & players, were on the brink of being broken down, the enthralling event “A New Beginning” very much seen as the launch pad and being in the thick of the action, it seemed to deliver in lots of respects, our review reporting accordingly (http://discomatt.com/web/?p=7458).
So with the our supporting alignments adjusted & with further promises that the protagonists pack of cards was close to collapse & folding, our hopes that the equally promised clubbing changes championed by Covert would follow through into affirmative action, having been out of circulation for the remainder of March, the whole of April and a significant slice of May, as we fought our own personal battle against a cancerous contagion, we were distinctly dismayed to here that the wrong pack of clubbing collaboration cards seemed to be collapsing while the conglomerate of contagion clubs were marching on unrepentantly. Indeed, with fresh reports came our way that certain D.J.’s were continuing to be held to ransom when offers for perceived competitor clubs came their way, that the contagion clubs were offering free entry to attract people away from others, we were very much scratching our heads as to exactly what had happened to all these promised capital circuit clubbing changes. And to add to our dismay was that, having put fervent faith in the small flock of folks that were championing change & having effectively switched our support, certain circles were clearly questioning our independent status in what some was being viewed as over bias on our part, this distressing dilemma only adding to the considerable challenges that were facing us personally & health-wise.
Having therefore backed away from these perceived alliance alignments, what actually went wrong with this championing of change that has found itself in a confusing contraflow? Well, there seem to have been a number of factors involved, some we have already hinted towards, while others, due to their sensitive & potentially implicative nature, are excluded from publication. However, amidst all this confusion with new clubs launching & then disappearing and collaborations forming & then dissolving, there do remain some promising positives to propel, Summer Rites In the Park looking like an enthralling event that will be sizable sections of the scene together, while the annual Vauxhall Sports Day looks like involving the lion’s share of clubs & venues this year, showing a firm hand to solidarity to what may remain of the clubbing contagion in this south London suburb. And widening the picture slightly, it does seem that Shoreditch is grasping the initiative right now, East Bloc having really put this part of town on the circuit map, other venues & promoters making hay of 
the situation, The Dalston Superstore & The Joiners Arms each extending their outing offers, while new club brand kid on the block “Hot 2 Trot” looks set to follow in the fabulous success & popularity footsteps of marvellous East End meets “DISH” & “WAR”. But back in Vauxhall and flipping the clubbing competitor coin, we are pleased to report glimmers that our former favourite afterhours is toeing the fair play line, having ditched that maddening “Midnight” format, one designed solely to squash & push out other parties on the pitch, while it looks like Friday’s in Vauxhall have been opened up for others to have their fair share & say, another promising point worth more than a ponder.
So, while the capital’s clubbing circuit change promise has found itself caught in a contraflow, there are still plenty of positives to propel, not least that the centre of the clubbing change championing, Covert, has not only found a new dance party direction, thus attracting new brands & new events, but it will also be closing its doors on the past, as an imminent new name will give it a new identity, paving the way for its own proper new beginning. (DISCO MATT)
