With the paint not yet dry on our return with our new direction, to find ourselves in the review hot seat and seeing in the new year to boot was exciting yet a tad daunting but we had to mark the occasion by orating on this outstanding occasion ringing in 2016 with a bang.
In days of old the only way we would be found seeing in the new year was a dive onto the dancefloor, we often braving the crowds that craved for a club style celebration, not a year going by when we would be partying deep into the morning come noon of the first day, this the only way of our world, although in more recent times this popular seasonal pastime was replaced by the humble house party following by just a small slice of cavorting in a club. So when we were faced with the prospect of following our former fortunes and given our experience & expectations, we were a little reticent in rejoicing in the idea of marking this landmark occasion in a club, let alone one in the hip, happening & so popular destination of Shoreditch, not least that staying in was being labelled as the new going out. However, the fact that we would be spending it with one of our closest companion’s and other fabulous friends was a big enough draw and with the club night selected scoring high on their ratings, we placed all our trust in our solid steeds, turning our trepidation into excitement, not least that seeing in 2016 with a bang at a club called Bang sounded spot on as well as signalling our return to reviewing.
So we were Shoreditch bound although expecting a considerable crowd, not just at our destination but for most of the way, our intuitions not too far from the mark as this hip & happening hotspot on the London clubbing & social circuit was buzzing with considerable crowds all heading for their choice of club, bar and restaurant, we at times struggling through the choc-a-block pavements as our companions were swiftly strolling on ahead. Indeed so busy it was, we had to take a diversion to our destination but on arrival, we drew a huge sigh of relief as there was not one person queuing to get in, our relief turning into a pleasant surprise once we were inside Bang, as it was busy but not brimming with body’s as we had expected, rather plenty of room to move around and relax. And even better was a bevy of fabulous friends there, including Ben Wilson & Matt Bogard, the latter spinning some superb & special sounds from the D.J. booth, while our cherishing companions, Steve Pitron, Celso & Dani were making this our first outing in ages a dream plus a wonderful change to seeing in the new year which, for the last four or five, have been at a variety of various house parties. Plus, what was perfectly pleasant was the access to a bar with reasonably priced drinks, we immediately throwing ourselves into the spirit of the occasion, shots a-plenty flowing mounting the merriment with every single sip.
With midnight fast approaching and Bang well & truly buzzing, Steve began preparing for what has become a tradition, our appearance live on the radio, BBC Radio London to be precise, the New Year’s Eve show hosted by brilliant broadcaster Jo Good, he determined that we would be the first on air after the mandatory Big Ben bell chimes. And to our complete surprise and delight, the strings he pulled worked like a dream and, out on the streets of Shoreditch, we were beamed right across London’s wireless airwaves. But then t was back onto the club to cavort well into the wee hours of the first day of what was now a new year, the party atmosphere in Bang pitched perfectly, Matt Bogard’s brilliant beats giving way to Bang resident Louis Chatten, who immediately set the place alight with some fabulously funky tracks. But we were about to be sent stratospheric as he selected what has always been known as Disco Matt’s signature tune, “Release Me” never failing to hit our musical mark as well as draw a resplendent reaction from all around
[youtube]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tWnHuzSJ2LA[/youtube]
we being sent into a divine dancing dervish evoking memories of magical moments from our clubbing history past, a now considerable crowd cavorting along with us, including the club’s promoter, the amazing Alexander Han, nattily dressed in a fetching black number and looking fit for this outstanding occasion. And Louis continued to sort a selection of superb sounds, companions Celso & Dani now very much in the dancing till dawn mood, while we were simply sinking more shots with Steve, getting truly sozzled seeing in the start to what we truly hoped & hope is a much better year than the momentous last. But our stay in the bosom of Bang was to be short lived as our worsening for wear drunken disposition was matched by Steve’s wish to hit the road, we waiving farewell to our friends, wending our way into the Shoreditch depths delighting on an outstanding old year end and s splendid New Year start.
Having been to Bang only once before, indeed at a time when our writing and circulating the scene was in hibernation, it was great to be back and doing what we love too, this compact & cute club very much cutting an amazing & sophisticated alternative stride, attracting a good looking mixed crowd of happy hedonists out for a terrific time. And with marvellous music, sumptuous surroundings with a cutting edge feel, properly priced drinks and heavenly hosts, this charming club certainly gets our vote. And to see in the new year in its arms, but also to remember the magical moment of our on air broadcast on the radio, really made this a night to remember and to cherish. So we have to hand a big thanks to Bang’s promoter Alexander for making us so welcome, to D.J.’s Matt Bogard & Louis Chatten for sorting a whole wonderful serenade of scintillating sounds, to a host of fabulous friends & close companions for filling our exceptional excursion to Shoreditch truly tremendous while the final thanks go to both Bang itself & the BBC for a spectacular & special start to 2016 like no other. And with the next instalment of this captivating club in Shoreditch at the end of this month and he gathering just gone giant, we reckon we could easily be back in that brilliant Bang brace long before we expected. (DISCO MATT)
