Regular Routine Rules
If you are a follower of our reviews & recommends posts, you will no doubt have gathered that we always do our best to spread the love across the rich diversity that is the capitals clubbing scene, although some of our harshest critics would probably say that we favour a certain set of clubs and one brand in particular. And whilst it may be true that Beyond gets a huge amount of our attention, we make no bones over the fact that it has won a special place in our hearts, not just in recent months, but stretching back to its beginnings in 2001. That said, the club has also had its fair share of our criticism (constructively of course), certain directions it has pointed itself in & decisions that have been made, finding fault rather than favour, this coming weekend being no exception. That said, despite certain reservations over some decisions, Beyond still remains top of our pile of choice clubs and itself remaining THE place to be & be seen on the clubbing scene on a Sunday morning.
So, what decisions have we been deluding to that have created those reservations? And how does it affect this weekend’s event?, Well, we have always revered Beyond as an afterhours club, its position as the premier Sunday morning clubbing experience rising it quickly to the top of the tree, virtually from the week of its launch ten years ago challenging & then knocking the then queen of the afterhours scene, Trade, off its pedestal. And, despite the short break in its transmission between 2006 & 2008, Beyond came back with a bang, effectively rising like a phoenix from the ashes in its new home Area, once again proving that is was streets ahead of the competition, very much the afterhours adoration that it had always been and very much at the top of the clubbing game, not just in the Sunday morning market, but across the scene as a whole.
Headline Act
Now, for us, that was all it needed to prove here in the capital, although with increasing regularity, the team behind this brilliant brand have seen it fit to extend the offer to concepts “Belief”, “Midnight” & “Super Size”, the central theme to these events being extended trading hours, “Midnight” especially changing the whole complexion of the club, in effect making it a Saturday night as well as a Sunday morning outfit. Yet, while there is no doubt the brand is strong enough to attract its faithful following, we will always see Beyond as an after rather than a regular hours club, so much so, that even on these extended events, we often don’t make our appearance until 5 or 6 a.m., when, generally, the club finds its full head of steam with the three roomed operation that we have all come to love, swinging into action. That said, on weekends when there is not much else on offer, the extended Beyond’s provided a much needed fill to the gap left by others, while we would question its intentions when there is plenty more action out on this dynamically diverse scene we find ourselves within.
So, looking at this weekend we see that beyond have once again chosen to roll out a combination of its “Midnight” & “Super Size” concepts, calling on the services of a top international D.J. to headline it’s all star resident team, the promise of more prolific pyrotechnics, exceptional effects, majestic music & luminous lighting for which both beyond & its host venue Area have become renowned. However, whilst the promotion paints a very pretty picture, following some detailed research & journalistic investigation, certain facts have come to light which put a much more realistic slant of this “Super Size” event, not least that the brand seems to have given way to another event which is taking place at Area tonight (Saturday 10th Sept), Logo looking like taking up both the main room & the chapel space from 10 p.m., while Beyond, which kicks off at midnight, will according to its promoter, start its operation in The Terrace Room and then expand into the other three spaces as Logic finishes. In addition, headline D.J. act Juanjo Martin has published his set times on his Facebook page, the so called extended set taking place between 7 & 9 a.m., his two hour turn not quite the extended offer many may have been expecting.
Juanjo In the Super Size Spotlight
All that said, Beyond is offering a lot for this weekend, not least for those in search of a bargain, as the team have dug their hands deep into their pockets to offer free entry for the first hour, with entrance offers extending right through till 5 a.m. And in their headline D.J. act Juanjo Martin, they have a man that has been scooped awards including, best Spanish D.J. in Ibiza, best Spanish Producer & best production for “I Believe In Dreams”, among a host of others. Plus having been one of SuperMartXe’s top residents for well over four years, while ties have as recently as this week been severed, he has much to bring to the party and will mean that come 7 a.m., the place to be will be Beyond’s main room when he takes to the decks. Add to that, a team of D.J.’s on duty that will include Mikey D, Gonzalo Rivas, Fat Tony, The Sharp Boys, Paul Christian, D’Johnny, The Oli, Jonny M and, rumour has it, Alan K, who seems to have made a triumphant return to weekly sessions, have played out for the last three. Add to that all those dancers, effects, lasers & pyrotechnics which are sure to make this yet another brilliant Beyond and there is much to celebrate about “Super Size” even if it will probably end up resembling more of a regular style showing.
Right, what’s the detail on the latest Beyond bash?, Well, as we have said, into a pseudo “Midnight” come “Super Size” event, Beyond opens its doors at 12 a.m. Sunday morning (that’s effectively midnight), the club running through until a planned midday Sunday finish. Advance tickets are still available both online at http://clubtickets.com and at Soho outlets Prowler, Clone Zone & 50, as well as watering holes The Yard & Ku Bar (both), priced at just £10 (booking fees extra), while entry on the door is an option, those of you deciding on the early start benefitting from that free entry between midnight & 1 a.m., while its just £10 before 2 a.m., rising to £12 until 5 a.m. and then £20 thereafter. And with new promoter Mauricio Ortiz having gotten his feet right under the proverbial table, you can expect a prolific party, the promise of “…extra gogo’s, supersize visuals, & super hot LED costumes..” more than likely a reality, while you can be assured of a warm welcome, as well as an efficient entry, masterminded by Tom Fuller & his terrific team.
So, it goes without saying that Beyond “Super Size” carries our recommendation and, given the latest news, it looks like heading down from 5 a.m. onwards will see it in full flow, while Juanjo’s set at 7 a.m. simply cannot be missed. All this means that Beyond will be the place to be & be seen on the scene tomorrow morning, but while we wont’t be there to nibble size review tweet our way through it all, we are sure you will be rejoicing in the regular routine that will surely rule. (DISCO MATT)