Posts Tagged ‘MisWhite’
August 24, 2012 | 
Author Modelled as the modern day derivative of the likes of Famous Five & Universe and finding itself in its third summer on the scene, As One in the hands of promoter Steven Sharp continues to bring together clubbing communities from far & wide, this latest collaboration combining some big brand hitters that certainly signals a new era for this magnificent meet, we delving into the detail of the magnificent marriage of capital clubbing circuit minds.
When we look at the rather mundane, monotone & monopolistic bigger branded clubbing scene that we find ourselves within here in the capital, we all too often see in-fighting between clubs & their promoters, competition crushing & strong arm tactics by the powerful players pushing many once popular parties to the wall. And it isn’t just the minnow meets that get this unsavoury shove from the heavyweight hitters, but some of these so called big shots also take the hit, SuperMartXe one of the most notable recent casualties, while in a quest to run the show, the phrase “…cutting off your nose to spite your face…” regularly springs to mind, although all this said, we can still count on a clubbing circuit that offers vivacious variety even if, in the whole, it does come from just one or two organisations. Therefore, reading between the lines, as we are sure you are already doing, you wouldn’t be blamed for thinking that we are pointing the finger unfairly and in some ways we probably are, especially given the encouraging development that is about to take place before our very eyes this weekend, when the marriage of club & promoter minds brings together brands that would never have been considered as comfortable bedfellows.
So what the heck of we talking about? Well As One of course, the colossal clubbing combo that was created close of three years ago and has since seen successive seasons tweaking the original fabulous formula, mixing up a bevy of brands in its quest to offer the clubber on one-stop shop of the best that the scene has to serve up, both in terms of diversity & depth. And when we look back across this clubbing combo’s short(ish) history, they have certainly done that, brands included in the past extending to Beyond, Lovechild, Megawoof, Trannyshack, The Men Who Fell To Earth, CasaLatina, Lo-Profile, Orange, Trade & Onyx, a marriage of minds that has successively & successfully secured its position as one of the busiest & best clubbing events on any given bank holiday, the “all roads lead to” label which often gets attached to Beyond, very much the byword for As One too. And this is sure to be the case come Sunday (26th Aug), when it slots into the bank holiday schedule just after WE party & before the second Beyond of the weekend, it following a pattern that, this year, has worked like a dream and is sure to do again, host venue Fire giving way the whole complex to As One, we expecting a couple of brand inclusion surprises to add to the ones already confirmed.
So, who is involved in As One this weekend & what can you expect? Well, following the inclusion of Trade for the last two events, it having proven a runaway success story in the marriage of clubbing minds, the mothership as she is known is back, along with its brilliant bedfellow Orange, those now infamous Orange/Trade parties immediately springing to mind, not least on Christmas Day last year as well as their show stealing sorties at As One on NYD. But with the inclusion of a real scene huge hitter for the first time, the internationally famous Salvation, As One’s credentials are getting a big boost, this collaboration coming not just as a very pleasant surprise but one which many quarters of the capitals clubbing circuit will take heart from, perhaps a sign that those roses have been smelt, that the wakeup call has been heard and this marks a new era in co-operation or, at least, comfortable co-existence. Then, to add to Salvation’s inaugural As One appearance, Tonker is welcomed with open arms too, promoter Tim Jones thrilled to be involved and sure to pull in many of his regular punters to play, while Trannyshack is back in the As One fold too, a better spread of clubbing genres the team behind this creative collaboration couldn’t have wished for, virtually all tastes catered for, musically & otherwise, the current team carrying on the lofty legacy born out of casual conversation between Craig Elder & Steven Sharp and is now, without question, the biggest clubbing collaboration on the capitals clubbing circuit calendar.
With the theme of this latest As One outing being “Legends of London”, the team tell us that “…each of the selected brands has been rulin’ the scene for longer than they care to remember – but each brand has developed and changed to fit with the times and remained current and cutting-edge whilst others have fallen by the wayside…”they going into further detail on the contributors to this colossal collaboration as follows:-
SALVATION
For 13 years Salvation has reigned supreme as the most glamorous club party on the London scene. With a discerning house music policy and international pedigree having toured many of the world’s greatest cities and venues, few clubs can match Salvation’s history.
ORANGE
‘The Monday Morning Phenomenon’ has transformed from an after party in Surrey Quays to a behemoth brand and London’s leading Sunday night club party for the gay community. Bringing together a friendly crowd of house music lovers each week Orange is the longest running weekly party still running weekly events after almost 14 years.
TRADE
The original ‘all night bender’ Trade was the first legal afterhours in London, and since ceasing weekly parties at the legendary Turnmills has continued to evolve, always a cutting edge, forward thinking super-brand, taking over unique club spaces in London for unbeatable pop up parties and the infamous annual birthday events. Trade has been running spectacular parties for 22 years.
TONKER
Taking place every Friday at the London gay scene institution The Eagle, Tonker operates under the mantra of ‘Booze, Cruise & Tunes’ serving up the hottest bear crowd in London for coming up to 9 years.
TRANNYSHACK
The UK’s favourite gender-bending, pop-tastic weekly Wednesday get-together for the last eight years, featuring the crème of London’s tranny DJs and scene celebs plus regular special guest performers.
all this vindication as to the depth & diversity that we touched on earlier, the D.J. line-up across just these five brands making rapturous reading, names such as Nick Tcherniak, The Sharp Boys, Gonzalo Rivas, Fat Tony, Pier Morrocco & Tasty Tim that exude both experience & entertainment to exemplary ecstasy, while with a cast that extends to Tim Jones, Paul Coals, MisWhite, Lady Lloyd , Gabriele Cutrano, Dusty O, Rosco, & Lee Yeomans, there will be no shortage of superb sounds to see each & every room packed to the rafters with revellers. As for the club expanse itself, we are told to expect “…unique décor, music, dancers and live performances from each of the brands, coming together to offer five different zones under one roof…”, while Tonker’s Tim Jones informs us that they will be hosting the Lightbox & further states that “…Tonker is excited to bring our unique blokes party to As One – expect a very sexy crowd of ‘guy next door’ meets your favourite dad or uncle and rugby player! We will serve up the best in eclectic music from DJ Tim Jones and Paul Coals taking you on a roller coaster journey from Disco to House to Mashup and Progressive Beats…”. And talking of beats, you can get a flavour of what to expect, well from Fat Tony in the Orange room at least, by checking out his specially devoted podcast, well worth a download/listen at http://orangenation.podomatic.com/entry/index/2012-08-21T09_07_15-07_00.
Now need we say much more apart from running through the detail on this As One “Legends of London” event which takes place this coming Sunday (26th Aug) at Fire in Vauxhall, doors opening at 11 p.m. & the event running through to an advertised “superlate” finish, we suspect around 7 a.m., the extra Beyond opening its doors across at Area at 6 a.m. But back to As One and advance tickets are still available priced at £18, on sale online at direct ticket link http://orangenation.clubtickets.com/gb/2012-08/26/as-one, while you can grab one in your hand by visiting Soho outlets Prowler, Clone Zone & 50, as well as asking across the bar or of the hosts at any of the Orange Nation events this weekend, so Onyx, A:M, Beyond, Later & even WE, but very much at Gravity tonight (Thurs 23rd) as this audacious afterhours is the official As One pre-party. But, suffice to say, entry will be available on the door on the night, but expect to pay more, while if you grab one of the marked flyers, a £3 discounted entry up till 1 a.m. will apply, while in terms of hosts, Hrh Minty will be flying the Orange flag alongside Salvation’s Andromeda, plus an as yet unannounced special VIP host (watch this space), more info, should you need it, out at http://orangenation.co.uk.
So, with this looking like being THE roadblock event of this August Bank holiday, we will be in the thick of the action reporting it all via our nibble size review tweets which you can tune into live at http://twitter.com/discomatt, so if you see us, then come say hi, but make sure you don’t miss out & in so doing “Go There! Be There!” (DISCO MATT)
Posted in Uncategorized | 
Tags: Andromeada, As One, Beyond, Craig Elder, Dusty O, Fat Tony, Fire, Gonzalo Rivas, Hrh Minty, Lady Lloyd, Lee Yeomans, MisWhite, Nick Tckerniak, Orange, Paul Coals, Pier Morrocoo, Rosco, Salvation, Steven Sharp, Tasty Tim, The Sharp Boys, Tim Jones, Tonker, Trade, Trannyshack | 
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While the untimely passing of its promoter came as a shock to all, it comes as no real shock that Steve Elliott’s successor was announced as one Oliver Mohns, DM delving into the detail of this announcement, as well as plans this old hands at the promotions game has in store for this brilliant brand, along with details of the first two events Mr Mohns will be masterminding, but not before we pay our own personal yet belated tribute to the much missed Mr Elliott.
Having had our own hands full with ongoing health issues, we have nevertheless have been very remiss in only now getting round to reporting on the untimely & premature passing of one of the true gentle giants of the global clubbing circuit, the shocking & sad news that Salvation’s prolific promoter Steve Elliott was lost, broken to us back on Friday 30th March while we were doing what he always did best, clubbing & socialising with friends & familiar faces. And while tons of tributes poured in at the time from right around the world, we were (and to be honest still are) in such shock over his passing, that we have, until now, been unable to put proverbial pen to paper. Indeed, due to insular issues, we even missed the tribute event to Steve, which took place at Salvation London’s hallowed turf of a home, Cafe De Paris, one which (we are told) was packed the rafters with revellers in remembrance of this much revered man. And it was quite fitting that the party was titled “The Show Must Go On”, as knowing Steve as we did, that would be exactly what he would have wanted to see and we are also certain sure that he would be equally pleased that the reigns of the colossal clubbing legacy he has left behind, be passed onto his very close & dear friend Oliver Mohns, a prolific promoter in his own right, who has been inextricably linked to the brand since its early days, having represented & D.J.’d for Salvation both here in London & on the global stage that this club has played to.
But before we look to the future of Salvation in Oliver’s hands, we want to take the opportunity of sharing our own tribute to Steve through a sequence of sentences reflective of the times we spent by his side & savouring the splendour of , not just Salvation, but other ventures in his hands. Having hit the clubbing trail of a number of years, it was only in 2008 that we got to know Steve, our fledging club reviews having thrusted us into the scene spotlight, Mr Elliott being THE first promoter to not only welcome us with open arms, but treat us effectively as clubland royalty, his generosity knowing no bounds & his hospitality equally exceptional. From Salvation soiree’s here in London at The Hippodrome & Koko, we also adored every moment of the meet when we, along with Salvation tour, hit Berlin in October 2010, Steve once again proving the prolific promoter & heavenly host that we had come to know & be-friend, while we were only too pleased to offer our full support to other ventures of his, which included both “Famous” & “Scandal”. But away from his promoting duties, we were also very privileged to spent stints socialising with the enigmatic & engaging individual, Barcode Vauxhall being a regular haunt whenever he travelled up to London from his west country home and, as fond the memories of seeing this magnificent man in action at Salvation will remain in our minds, it is those handful of times we were drinking, laughing & dancing by his side at Barcode which we will treasure the most. So, it may be severely belated, but this is our brief personaltribute to Steve who is sorely missed by us & many many more people for sure.
So, with the Salvation show going on, Steve’s successor Oliver Mohns will be, this coming Sunday (8th July) be in the promotional driving seat for his first ever event for the brand, although as we have already hinted, he is an old (and we should say a successful one at that) hand at the promotions game, having been responsible for bringing Spanish superclub Matinee to London back in 2006 & steer it through four subsequent seasons of its own success, while he has also held the helm at afterhours club A:M, brought his own brand Matador to the fore and will be the first to admit that he still adores & craves for the promotions game. However, Oliver is also an accomplished D.J./producer who, like Salvation, has played the world stage, Mr Mohns having touched on all corners of the globe from behind the decks, his recent D.J. career having added the likes of Brazil & Mexico to a long list of European, African, Australian & Asian destinations that litter his considerable C.V., the contacts he has collected & connected with during this time, pretty much unrivalled by anyone we know. So, with a set of credentials that speak considerable volumes, that and the fact that he was so close to Steve, we concur with many, that Salvation is certainly in safe hands and with the upcoming “World Pride” event, Oliver will not only be looking to continue the success story that is Salvation left to him by Steve, but to stamp his own mark on the brilliant brand.
Oliver, who cheekily calls his succession as “Salvation 2.0”, has revealed that his plans for the brand, some which will manifest themselves this Sunday, include “…expanding and enhancing the current brand, bringing it straight up to date with modern clubbing goals & expectations while still remaining true to its roots…” that wealth of international & clubbing connections we have deluded to seeing him “…continue with the current Salvation all star D.J.’s, like Pier Morocco, Miswhite , Paul Coals, but will now include big name international DJs to the list. Salvation will also be open to unprecedented international growth…” Oliver very much building on the sound blocks that Steve Elliot built for the brand, but propelling the Salvation party experience to an even broader global audience. In addition, he is keen to follow the direction Steve pointed Salvation here in London, not only continuing to cement the connection with Cafe De Paris, but to also to “… transform the seductive and exclusive Salvation VIP room into the ‘Boys Boudoir’ which will be a small club within in a club and hosted by some of the scenes best known club and web brands…” Gigolo sure to play its part as it did in the last two Salvation soiree’s here in the capital. Oliver is also at pains to stress that with the deployment of “…popular door hosts and the cream of London’s gay scene DJs., Salvation 2.0 is an upgrade to the original Salvation with the aim of making the club an accessible yet game changing club brand once again…” confirming that it will “… return to London as a bimonthly t’dance at its ancestral home…”.
And so this Sunday (8th July) marks the first event on the new era of Salvation (2.0 if you like) as Oliver presents “World Pride” to the capitals clubbing circuit, those plans of Oliver’s not only manifesting themselves in the D.J. line-up, Pier Morrocco, Paul Coals & MisWhite (our lovely Emma) fyling the regular Salvation D.J. flag, but Mr Mohns will welcome to the decks, Belgian based pint sized powerhouse Andrei Stan, who brings a clubbing repertoire that includes residency’s at the famous La Demence in Brussels, Splash in Rome & Nation in Mexico, while London is also a familiar playing ground, Andrei have played here for Matador, Revolver & A:M on many occasions, added to which he has additional residencies back in Brussels to add to all these. And his uplifting energetic & euphoric style of sound will suit Salvation superbly, very much dovetailing in with Pier, Paul & Emma, as well as Oliver who will be taking his turn too, terrifically, while with Salvation’s own creative director Raul Gonzales & his RG couture team panning some spectacular stage showings, added to which, the Cafe de Paris VIP Area will be once again become a guest POP up club this time in the hands both Gaydar & Room Service, along with a pack of porn-stars in the newly named “Boys Boudoir” which we are told will be complete with lush double beds and, plenty more to pander to your every need, the music in the hands of our own Italian bello, Alessandro Londra. But it doesn’t stop there, oh no, as Oliver has also brought back the infamous & fabulous “PSP” (post Salvation party), which will be hosted by Lo-Profile on Soho’s Wardour Street, Pier Morrocco being joined by Milano man Alessandro Maragoni, residencies at the city’s “Hero” & “Barbarella” clubs having propelled him there, while this will be his first foray in London, but judging by what we have seen & heard, it won’t be his last!
So what of the detail of both Salvation & PSP?, Well, to recap, the former’s “World Pride” event takes place this coming Sunday (8th July) at Cafe De Paris, doors opening at 5 p.m. and the club running through to a planned 1 a.m. finish, advance tickets on sale both online at http://gaypartix.com/parties/LONDON/SalvationN/ and via Soho outlet Prowler & venues Rupert St & 
Profile, priced at £15 (booking fees apply) while you will be able to pay on the door but expect to pay more. As for PSP, again to recap, it takes place at Lo-Profile, just a hop skip & jump away from Cafe De Paris, kicking off from midnight on Sunday (or as we prefer to call it, aero o’clock Monday), running through till 3 a.m. entry £10 on the door or £6 with a wristband which can be purchased either at Profile or at Salvation itself, further info on PSP available at http://facebook.com/events/109395312537433/, while a trip to Salvation’s page at http://facebook.com/salvationuk should fill in any gaps we have left. And while we may have announced our supposed summer sabbatical, there could be every chance that we make a flying visit to both events, if only to lend our support to Oliver, as we always did to Steve & in so doing, finally pay tribute to Mr Elliott’s passing by celebrating the capable & safe hands in which this brilliant brand has found itself in. (DISCO MATT)
Posted in Recommends, Reports | Tags: Alessandro Londra, Cafe De Paris, Gaydar, Koko, Lo-Profile, MisWhite, Oliver Mohns, Paul Coals, Pier Morrocco, PSP, Room Service, Salvation, Steve Elliot | No Comments »
After a year cutting a significant stride on the global clubbing circuit, the superb Salvation returns to its spiritual home, London’s Café De Paris, with a prolific party that will surely dazzle & delight, Disco Matt delving into all the detail of this dynamic draw, including podcast page links & much much more right here, right now
Spiritual Sunday Soiree
Oh times they have changed on the capitals clubbing scene, Sunday afternoon/evening clubbing having, like the merry-go-round on a funfair, come & gone before our very eyes, the trends towards this so called “t-dance” slot waxed and waned over the years, recent attempts to rekindle the penchant for these party pitches falling on relatively deaf ears, T.T.D. just one example of what could so easily have been but never was. However, with the history books crammed with clubs making this sacred Sunday slot their playing ground, including greats such as D.T.P.M. & Factor 25, there is no doubting the dancing devotee’s draw to this day in the diary. But while many have tried & some have succeeded superbly, in reality there is only one name in our prolific picture frame when it comes to t-dancing on a Sunday, Salvation the king, the queen, the prince, the jack & even the ace of the clubbing pack of cards, historical home Café De Paris part of that perfect package that made this brilliant brand the sumptuously spectacular & stand-out Sunday session that it became. Indeed, over the years Salvation has also played its joker card on New Year’s Day on many occasions, again proving that it still has the dynamic draw it had way back when, this coming Sunday (1st January) looking set to prove that point once more.
Captivating Clubbing Cross
So, Salvation is back on New Year’s Day and back to its spiritual soiree home, Café De Paris in central London, the glamour, the opulence & the sophistication that is every inch this brilliant brand and, for us, shows Salvation at its best, this following a resplendent return back in November for the clubs 13th Anniversary, which by all accounts (sadly we were missing in injury action) was a sell-out sensation, putting Salvation firmly back on the clubbing calendar map of meets. And it is on the back of this return that promoter Steve Elliot & his terrific team have decided that they want to share all that Salvation style & sophistication with us once again, claiming their rightful place under the New Year’s Day spotlight, as they have done on so many occasions in the past, Mr Elliot exclaiming that “…if disused cinemas or cramped railway arches send a shiver down your spine, then pull on your snow boots, head up to Leicester Square and step into our winter wonderland…” Salvation shrugging off the pretender to its NYD t-dance crown which unashamed bravery, Steve adding, “…who wouldn’t want to ring in the Olympic New Year 2012 in style and at the most exclusive party of the season to boot, London’s brightest & best…”, Salvation once again determined to strike with its soiree splendour in scintillating style.
From Koko To Cafe
With that prolific picture painted, what is actually on offer at this Salvation NYD?, Well first & foremost, the crafty & cheeky Mr Elliot is keeping much of the plans under wraps, although Café De Paris as a venue speaks volumes in terms of those words, style, sophistication, opulence & elegance that, if you have not been there before, will hit you from the moment you step through those doors. And we cannot wait to swish down that double staircase once again, without doubt the most exciting entrance to a club we know. That aside, Steve is sure to pull out all the stops on production & effects and given the incredible effort thrown into parties, not just here in London, but right around the world (and we are taking global folks), Salvation having touched on destinations during 2011 that include places near such as Paris, Rome, Amsterdam & Athens, or as far as Australia, South Africa, & Brazil. But 2012 is very much the focus this time round and, given Steve’s reference to The Olympics, we are surmising that this will come into play somewhere within the production, while the “Winter Wonderland” element will also give a clue towards the dynamic decor that is sure to play a part in proceedings, Raul Gonzales’s delectable dancers & displays a big feature of this fabulous frolic, added to which the meaty men for Manhunt will be adding the extra eye-candy that any party of this nature needs, Steve cementing our thoughts by saying “…come revel in dazzling dance shows, stunning visual performances, top DJs, state of the art sound, lighting & effects, plus London’s sexiest men, all to make sure your New Year gets off to a big bang!…”.
Oliver - We Want More!
Now if that isn’t enough to convince you, then the music definitely should, as Salvation serves up one of the tastiest tight knit teams we know, Steve drawing on the skilful strings of his dream D.J. residents in the form of Oliver M, Pier Morrocco, Paul Coals and (no Salvation party would be the same without her) our very own foxy female Miswhite, each one playing their part in pumping out uplifting, euphoric & energetic house music for which Salvation & any decent t-dance should be crammed full with, so euro & Spanish beats will be pushed aside in favour of hands in the air dance delectations that will surely lift the roof of Café De Paris on Sunday. But don’t just take our word for it, as two of Salvation’s star turns have laid down compilations in celebration of this NYD delectation, Oliver M first up with his aptly named “A Year Of Dance”, this 107 minute marvel kicking off with the truly tremendous “Bitch Lady” followed by “Pressure”, both setting the scene for a prolific podcast reflecting the tons of tunes Oliver has been treating Salvation audiences to around the world during 2011. And we find a D.J. right back at the top of his game too, Oliver having put his club promoting activities to one side, concentrating on his D.J.’ing which has borne considerable fruit, Brazil, Mexico & even the USA on the cards for 2012, while appearances for La Demence & a plethora of parties in his homeland Germany have littered his diary this year. So, his podcast, one which has raced up clubbing website SeenQueen’s download chart is well worth grabbing at http://soundcloud.com/ldnbear/salvation-nyd-2012-a-year-of,
Gigolo Giant Of A Towering Talent
However, our second Salvation pick had to go to Miswhite, our Emma pulling out a corker of a compilation which, just like its producer, is a podcast packed with excitement & energy and give a huge hint of what to expect from this pint sized powerhouse on NYD, so is an essential listen ahead of Sunday by going to http://miswhite.podomatic.com/. Then, of course, there is Pier Morrocco, a D.J. that has never failed to impress us on all fronts and continues to cut a significant stride with Salvation now, just as he did in those halcyon fe De Paris days 10/12/13 years ago, although these days, he balances D.J.’ing with a hectic mile high club career, that along with regular trips across to Moscow, all meaning that we are still waiting for a Salvation devotion from him, but a superb selection of his spinning sounds can be found at his podcast page via http://piermorrocco.podomatic.com/. But if all that wasn’t enough, the social soiree splendour, Gigolo, will be part of proceedings too, looking after the VIP room (more on that in an Extra Bites post) and bringing with them the truly towering talent that is Zach Burns, the man that moved us magnificently when the brand launched earlier this year & has since proven the jewel in the Gigolo crown, very much stealing the show at the clubs “Cumback” event earlier this month. So it comes as no surprise that he has pressed a podcast for the occasion and one which, yet again, makes our decision of which to include in our 2011 top ten chart such a difficult one, a listen at http://soundcloud.com/djzachburns/dj-zach-burns-gigolo-salvation, letting you into the saucy & sexy disco dance sounds world that will be the Gigolo VIP room in his masterful musical hands at Salvation on Sunday and a set you won’t want to miss.
Spunktastic Soiree Stars
So now you are convinced surely??!!, meaning all that’s left for us to do is run down on the detail, this Salvation New Year’s Day Spectacular taking place this Sunday (1st January 2012) at Café De Paris on Coventry St in the heart of London’s West End (closest tube Piccadilly Circus), doors opening from 6 p.m. & the clubbing running through to a planned 1 a.m. finish. Now, with the early bird tickets sold out, the £15 advance tickets are selling pretty quickly, meaning a visit to http://gaypartix.com/parties/LONDON/Salvation/index.htm should be sooner rather than later, although should you prefer to pick one up in person, then Soho’s Prowler store is the exclusive destination to head for. But for those that really want to splash out & be treated just that little bit more specially, the VIP option for just £5 more at an incredibly reasonable £20 is well worth considering, not least that this gives you fast-track entry, free coatcheck & access to that Gigolo “Spunktastic” Salvation VIP room/balcony. Then add in the hugely handsome host that is Alex Londres, one of Brazil’s biggest & best performers and you are guaranteed one of the warmest welcomes in the world, not forgetting the opportunity to embrace that elegant entrance down the two tiered Salvation staircase that cannot be beaten, more details on this exceptional event available at http://salvation-london.com.
With nothing more to add, we leave the final flurry of whimsical words to Salvation’s Steve, who say’s “…come and join the biggest London Circuit Party that spread the music of Salvation in over 60 countries around the world and swing from the icy chandelier this New Year’s Day…” as we will be, so in doing so, if you see us, come say hi, that along with making sure you “Go There! Be There! (DISCO MATT)
Posted in Recommends | Tags: Cafe De Paris, David Hart, Gigolo, L.a. Hart, MisWhite, Oliver M, Paul Coals, Pier Morrocco, Salvation, Steve Elliot, Zach Burns | No Comments »
Resurrection Rejoicing
When you look at the wealth of wonderful clubs that have graced the capitals circuit, it has certainly been seen as a rich playing field for some of the biggest names in the business, worldwide brands such as Matinee, SuperMartXe & WE having made London as much a home as back in Spain, while we have our own giants in the form of Beyond, DTPM & Trade, who, like their Spanish contenders, have exported their prolific parties to all corners of the globe. However, in an ever changing landscape here in London, times move very quickly and clubs do come & go, some with alarming regularity, even these huge players not immune to the sometimes fickle nature of the capitals clubbers, DTPM a perfect example, having dominated the Sunday scene for so long, suddenly stopped, virtually without notice, although was back for a brief run just a couple of years ago, although has once again tucked itself under its duvet cover for another period of hibernation. But, having picked on this select six, we should really be making it seven, as there is another brand that has earned its place among this elite, a brand like DTPM that was part & parcel of the Sunday scene in London for so long, but like its counterpart, fell off the regular radar in the capital a while back, but still engenders plenty of excitement & interest whenever it holds an event, this Sunday being no exception.
Global Giant
There is no doubt that Salvation is one of the most well known clubbing brands on the planet, not least due to its impressive & continuing international exposure, the club having thrown parties as close to the capital as Paris & Berlin or as far away as Cape Town & Sydney, although while Salvation’s true success currently sits around the globe, it is London that is & will always remain its historical & nostalgic home. And having launched back in 1998, the brand enjoyed just under a decade of halcyon days cutting a significant stride across the capitals clubbing circuit, but like all great success stories & magnificent marriages, Salvation’s sustainability as a captivating concept, along with its promotional partnership, hit turbulent times, a bitter argument seeing the club splinter into two off-shot operations, this in itself condemning the brand to a hop scotch schedule across venues, its original home out of the picture, while places like The Hippadrome, The Bloomsbury Ballrooms &, more latterly, Koko in Camden playing host to its haphazard happenings. However, for Salvation purists, the only place it should play out, as it did for so many yardstick years, is Cafe De Paris and as it marks thirteen years of eventing excellence, it is to this hollowed turf that promoter Steve Elliot & his team return, one which will no doubt rekindle all the fond memories from those halcyon days, also proving a homecoming well worth waiting for.
Energetic Emma
So, getting our teeth straight into the detail, what can you expect from this Salvation 13th Anniversary this Sunday 13th November? Well, firstly they couldn’t have timed it better, turning thirteen on the thirteenth is pretty momentous in itself, although with historic home Cafe De Paris as the icing on the birthday cake, the filling is pretty substantial & yummy, the music doing much of the talking as three of the clubs favourite & most popular resident D.J.’s look to shine under the spotlight, MisWhite kicking proceedings off, she also in birthday celebratory mood which will surely show in the energetic, enthusiastic & euphoric set style that she has become renowned, this pint sized powerhouse (& our original foxy female) sure to thrill with tons of terrific hands in the air house heavenly tunes, a listen to her last compilation, “Work It” (out at http://miswhite.podomatic.com/) giving you a good idea of what to expect. Then there is Pier Morrocco, a supremely talented D.J. that has delighted us on scores of occasions over the years, whether at A.M. or Action, Matinee or Trade, although being one of the Salvation original’s it is perhaps this club where most of our fond memories & terrific times lie. But with his international experience standing him in good stead, Pier also represents Salvation abroad & has played in those Paris, Berlin, Cape Town & Sydney destinations among many more, so his is one performance you will definitely not want to miss, while you can warm up for his set by selecting some of his sounds via his podcast page at http://piermorrocco.podomatic.com/. Third of the quartet is Howard Turner, a relative unknown to Salvation followers, although with a D.J.’ing career that spans over 15 years, he comes with no shortage of experience, while keeping a pace with the trends, his sets very much manufactured with the latest technology allowing him to “…make my sets even more interesting by adding vocals & loops, as well as remixing tracks on the fly…”. And to mark his appearance, Howard has laid down a compilation to celebrate Salvation’s 13th anniversary, a podcast packed with electronic inspired grooves & beats, so well worth a listen at http://howardturner.podomatic.com/.
Unmistakable Mr Mohns
However, the Salvation celebration musical show could not be complete without the inclusion of one Oliver M, a D.J./Producer & club promoter who has hardly been out of the headlines in recent months & years, a solid career base behind the decks seeing him play across most parts of the planet, at the same time notching up scores of associations with the music & clubbing industry contacts & players allowing him to jump feet first into promoting. Having been responsible for the success of Matinee in London, despite the unfortunate end to his connections with the brand, he braved it with Matador & then moved into the lion’s den that became A:M, Oliver’s appetite for club promoting as ravenous now as it was at the height of his Matinee moments. But, wisely, he is currently submerged into his comfort zone which is D.J.’ing and the fruits of his hard working labour in recent months are seeing him play week in week out across Europe as well as back here in the capital, trips to Brazil, Mexico, & even The States on the cards, while brands such as La Demence, GreenKomn & Sexy, the latter two in his homeland Germany, while Paris based Walk Group is also a strong feature of his appearances, particularly of late. That said, Oliver’s involvement with Salvation stretches back a number of years and, like Pier Morrocco, Mr Mohns represents the brand across the world, so it comes as no surprise that promoter Steve Elliot has called upon Oliver’s services for this special celebration, and one we know he is very much looking forward to, having laid down a pumping podcast to mark the occasion which has already seen close on 3500 downloads, so one worth grabbing now at http://djoliverm.podomatic.com/, while his set on Sunday should be a scorcher as he is most definitely back in the D.J.’ing groove.
Hallowed Home
With the music sorted, what else can you expect from this anniversary outing?, Well, we are sure that the team have plenty of surprises in store, although in true Steve style, Mr Elliot has kept most if not all of them under his hat, although we do know that dance & stage show choreographer Raul Gonzales has plenty in store for this Salvation spectacle, while all Steve has told us is to “…be prepared to make history once again…”, he like many, so excited to see the brand back in its historical Cafe De Paris home. So, if you haven’t already, now is the time to book your place in this so called history making event, advance “silver” £15 tickets available online at http://gaypartix.com/parties/LONDON/Salvation13/, while a trip into Clone Zone & Prowler in Soho will allow you to grab one in person, the much prized VIP “Gold” ticket passes at £20 well worth considering too, especially as they give you queue jumping entry, free cloakroom, access to the VIP balcony & an invitation to the VIP pre-party which starts at 5 p.m. o that neatly moves onto the opening detail, Cafe De Paris’ doors swinging out at 6 p.m. this Sunday (13th Nov) & Salvation running through to a planned 1 a.m. finish, while we understand entry is also available on the door, the “official” afterparty our final piece of the detail ;puzzle, Orange down at Factory in Vauxhall playing host & Salvation D.J. Paul Coals playing alongside Orange main room & RAW residents.
So, need we say more, apart from pointing you to Cafe De Paris & a date with the resurrection rejoicing that will be Salvation & one which looks like being one of the parties of the year, meaning you should not miss out, rather make sure that you “Go There! Be There! (DISCO MATT)
Posted in Recommends | Tags: Cafe De Paris, Howard Turner, MisWhite, Oliver M, Pier Morrocco, Salvation, Steve Elliot | No Comments »
Fabulous Festival Re-Formed
Having just about a week ago lamenting on the wonders of park festivals passed, we find ourselves in the same boat, looking back & then looking forward as one of our favourite festivals from a good ten years makes its welcome return to the summer scene. But pushing back the clock, when Summer Rites was rocking our world, it seemed that park festivals were going from strength to strength, a whole succession of post Pride parties having been held in Brockwell, Victoria, & Finsbury park(s), while Clapham Common had also featured. And it was the Brockwell days that saw Summer Rites rise to ascendency, the first event still living in our memories, not least when we clubbed & cavorted to the Warriors sounds of Wayne G in the Brockwell park lido with close companion of the time, D.J. Chris Reardon., while the likes of Ultra Nate were performing on the main stage, oh the memories!!
Yet, as good as Summer Rites was, a tide change that saw park parties become less & less popular, not least due to a run of years when the famous British summer reared its rainy head, very much dampening festival organisers’ causes, outdoors was swapped for indoors, while Pride itself ditched the park format in favour of the central London square scenario, perhaps on the strength of Soho Pride which had become the darling of the festival scene in the capital. However, with two years of success under its belt, Lovebox has spurned a resurgence in the penchant for a park party and when news hit our desks that Summer Rites was to return, we suddenly looked forward to a season full of alfresco antics, obviously crossing lots of fingers for that famed weather to hold, serving up plenty of sunshine rather than rainy Sunday’s. But whilst we cannot guarantee the weather this coming Sunday (10th July), what we can promise is a party to re-emulate those halcyon Summer Rites days, with a whole host of dance tents, entertainment & everything else that goes with partying in the park.
Resplendant Remix
So, what’s on the Summer Rites “Remixed” table then? Well, for this “…boutique gay clubbing festival…”, quite a lot actually, as the organisers have gathered some of the big name brands to support the host of locally based Shoreditch showstoppers like Gutterslut, Meat, & Pony Step. And there are some pretty big names in the frame too, international mega club Salvation spearheading an impressive line-up of dance & entertainment tents that also includes bear brand XXL, gender bender brilliance “Trannyshack” & the indie trendsetter, Popstarz, not to mention other supporters that include The Royal Vauxhall Tavern, represented by their night “Kimono Krush”, while Shoreditch bar The Joiners Arms, along with gay boozer The George & Dragon lend their support to the refreshment tents & stands, as well as having their own spaces to flaunt their entertainment wares. But the involvement doesn’t stop there as Shoreditch’s finest & most talked about club of the moment, East Bloc, will play an intrinsic part in proceedings, while Century Club’s “Sunday Happy Day” will lend a helping hand, this on top of a special “Bootyliicious” bus that should prove a real draw.
But, before we drill down on some of the detail, here’s a message from our sponsors, or more appropriately the organisers who say about Summer Rites “Remxied”, “…This is a festival orchestrated by the creators of the authentic gay alternative festival, Summer Rites, and the iconic street party, Soho Pride. Both have kept the London gay community grooving & moving for the last two decades & now the gang are digging deeper for a big balsy summer smash…”, the further adding, “…set in Shoreditch between Old Street, Islington & in part of the historic East End of London, where fashion, music & art combine, it will be right at the heart of a place which is recognised as London’s most vibrant district. The festival will feature dance arenas, an open stage, a boogie bus, multiple bars and much more…”, they concluding that “…form the intimacy yet frivolity of Shoreditch park from midday to 10 p.m., the party doesn’t stop as “Encore” the official Summer Rites afterparty will continue from 10 p.m. to late in a nearby warehouse…”.
Steve's Show Set To Soar
Now that gives you a flavour of what to expect, but what about the detail between the lines? Well, first & foremost, Salvation will be hosting that main open stage, the club showing how it’s done with the kind of spectacular production for which they have become famous for. And promoter Steve Elliot together with his terrific team, will be drawing on the dance direction of Raul Gonzalez who will turn out a truck load of performers, artists, acrobats & the like, to compliment the delectable D.J. line up that includes stars covering the clubs 13 year history, Luke Hope, Pier Morrocco, Miswhite & Paul Coals, along with Elliot J Brown & Howard Turner. But it doesn’t stop there as, prolific P.A. (in our view, the best in the business) Peyton will be centre staging the performances, while Andromeda & the Twisted Dreams dance troupe will also feature. However, Trannyshack will also get their main stage say, with the best in worldwide drag artists & off-beat/unusual shows, a D.J. line-up to delight that will include gender benders Tasty Tim, Munroe Bergdorf & Lady Lloyd, along with Trannyshack queen, The very Miss Dusty O, who will be performing a rare live show that simply cannot be missed.
Wayout Whackiness
Main stage aside, the other highlights for us look like being the East Bloc tent, where the wayout & whacky Gutterslut will feature, along with Tom Stephan’s magnificent monthly meet, Meat, which will no doubt be riding on a wave crest after their party just hours before. With D.J. stars including Per Q.X. Nic Fisher & Miss MC Crystal flying the Gutterslut flag, while Meat main man Tom Stephan will play an exclusive set alongside East Bloc residents James Phillips & Borja Penna, while the likes of A Man To Pet, Miss Krystilina, Amber Swallows & Ma Butcher will beef up the bravado, all meaning this should prove a dynamic draw. But the boogie bus, hosted by Bootylicious, just has to be sampled, while XXL will definitely have their bear say, although we hope not to hear the phrase of last weekend in there, “I Want My Porridge!”, although we are sure there will be no shortage of bears looking for their goldilocks. However, with so much else on offer, the variety & choice couldn’t be better and very much reflects just how vibrant the Shoreditch scene has become, Summer Rites “Remixed” celebrating this scene diversity in the best possible way, meaning there is a place to lay your clubbing hat, whatever persuasion or whatever type of clubber or cavorter you are.
Mapping It Out
Right, let’s cover off the detail and remind you that Summer Rites “Remixed” takes place this Sunday (10th July) at Shoreditch Park from midday till 10 p.m. This is a ticketed event, with all the £15 early bird tickets having been sold, so only advance ones priced at £20 now only available online by going to the official website. http://summer-rites.com. However, you can also purchase your entry in advance by popping into Prowler in Soho or across at Expectations on Great Eastern St in Shoreditch, while you can also pay entry on the day, but make sure you have the readies & not the plastic, as they can only accept cash payments. Now, as for directions, visiting the website is your best option, although Shoreditch Park in is the heart of Hoxton, so your nearest tube is Old St, while a whole host of busses can take you close. And if you can’t get online, you can always land on your favourite venue or outlet, who have plentiful stocks of the special Summer Rites programme brochure which, like here, tells you pretty much everything you need to know, including a map of the park & the local vicinity to save you scratching around for an A to Z. And, don’t forget “Encore”, the official afterparty, plus a gathering at East Bloc that will take you deep into Monday morning, all these details also available at http://eastbloc.co.uk.
So, with this brilliant boutique gay clubbing festival looking like THE place to be & be seen on the scene this Sunday, we will be there to report on & review it all, so if you spot us then come say hi, but make sure you don’t miss out on what looks like being the sensation of the summer, making sure you “Go There! Be There! (DISCO MATT)
Posted in Recommends | Tags: Bootylicious, East Bloc, Gutterslut, Kimono Krush, Laurent Chaumet, Luke Hope, Meat, MisWhite, Nic Fisher, Paul Coals, Per Q.X., Pier Morrocco, Pony Step, Salvation, Steve Elliot, Summer Ries, Tom Stephan, Trannyshack, Wayne Shires, XXL | 1 Comment »
Stunning Stage Sparkles
We really do adore a t-dance style soiree, but Salvation’s “The Future” event was always going to be more than that, this second foray at Koko in Camden, on the cards at least, looking like a smash as well as creating a splash on the spring bank holiday scene, meaning it simply had to be on our schedule, especially given the history of this heavenly happening. So, despite our thoughts being miles away on matters in South Africa, we made our way up to this Sunday soiree and a liaison with cougar clubbing pal Stephen, along with close companion Brent Nicholls, but with both of them running late (as usual) we headed into Salvation on our tod, entering Koko’s main arena to a warming welcome from Industri mates Jeremy & Andrew, we immediately catching up on news before our cougar clubber arrived, the four of us sinking into the Salvation splendour just in advance if the stunning stage show to come. And from our elevated spot on one of the many tiers to this Koko venue, we had a brilliant view of proceedings below, the dancefloor brimming but not packed, but the tremendous tunes from pint sized Salvation resident Miswhite, packing a considerable punch, her uplifting beats & euphoric energy eruptions definitely hitting the mark with the considerate crowd.
But it was the stage show & the exceptional effects that was going to really make this Salvation something extra special, three massive LED displays dominating Koko’s stage, a huge Stargate style ring of steel surrounding the centre, together with some simply stunning laser lighting, exploding into action after a planned few moments silence that grabbed everyone’s attention perfectly. And with the reveal over, the drop dead gorgeous go-go dancers delighted, dressed in Tron style costumes that certainly caught the eye, not least ours when we got a sneak post show look backstage, while upfront incumbent D.J. Paul Coals continued where Miswhite had left off serving up some superb Salvation style sounds, very fitting for this galactic gathering that, with that stunning stage setting, very much lived up to its 22nd century billing. Finding ourselves back out front, we returned to our lofty spot, where a succession of familiar faces frolicked with us, including the marvellous Minty with pals David & Stuart, D.J.’s Joe Publik, Andrei Stan & Oliver M and the natty Naomi, who’s “Emperor” adorations in our direction left us gasping with laughter & others in amazement of her continual approaches, all this while Brent Nicholls snapped whole slugs of this Salvation splendour in his wonderful way. So with more still to share on the stunning stage dominated Salvation showing, its “…ready, steady, go for the review…” (DISCO MATT)
Posted in Previews, Reports, Reviews | Tags: Andrei Stan, Brent Nicholls, Minty, MisWhite, Naomi Ruiz, Oliver M, Paul Coals, Salvation, Steve Elliot | No Comments »
With the fourth Bank Holiday (the third in a month) right on our doorstep, we thought we would depart slightly from our usual Weekend Best Bites & Short Shouts format, by extending it right across what is actually five days of frolicking, as, if like us, your weekend looks like starting tomorrow night (Thurs 26th May). Plus, with so much on & we finding it difficult to single out Best Bites for Soho, Vauxhall & elsewhere, we thought we would run down our choice picks by the day rather than the area, the good news being that, with the recent tensions very much eased, we have re-engaged our promotion of events brought to you by The Orange Group.
SMX Pre-Party
So, with lots to cover lets kick off with Thursday first and two devotions that get equal exposure, the first being Jodie Harsh’s Room Service which hosts the first of three SuperMartXe pre-parties, Room Service of course also hosting the second room at SMX’s “Moulin Rouge” event on Saturday (28th May), but for Room Service proper, naturally being at its heavenly home Diu on Greek Street. Now, whilst this latest superb soiree will have a definite SMX theme, Jodie has pulled on the D.J. resources of a trio that have much more of a meaty feel to them, the monthly meet “Meat”, of East Bloc fame, also part of Jodie’s Room Service off-shoot, Downtown (more on that in a bit). And tomorrow night will see “Meat” main man Tom Stephan on the decks, along with fellow East Bloc boy Jim Warboy (probably still celebrating his birthday), while new boy on the block, Matt Bogarde (no relation to Dirk or Humphrey) will be joining the fray. With Jodie ever present along with Logan & his team of Schmitzel’s, this should be yet another roadblock, so get there early folks, as doors open at 10 p.m… Plus, if you are, like us, a Room Service key holder, make sure you give it a flash as it will get you priority entry, that priced at £5 before 11 p.m. & £10 after. More info is available at http://clubroomservice.com.
Pop Up Gigolo Disco
Getting equal Best Bite attention is the other superb Soho social society soiree, Gigolo, which launched to amazing accolade last week and returns with another corker this. And the deal is in the title as it’s a “Pop Up Disco” week, D.J. Holestar kicking proceedings off with some alternative electro disco, while scene favourite Brent Nicholls then takes over to serve up delightful dollops of nu-funk/disco & favourite floor fillers to rock host venue Lo-Profile right through till the 3 a.m. finish (yikes we have a plane to catch!). And in terms of hosting, L.a. has plenty of help this week, as Jonny Woo will be sweeping in, together with David Masters Do Rape, both taking a turn on the stage, while gorge girls Naomi & Suzana will be shimmying & shaking their booties along with those equally gorge g-go’s Padraig & Sandro (time to drool!) who will be flexing their perfectly toned muscles. Plus, with David clicking his camera in all the right places, it’s certainly another week when you need to dress to impress. So, Gigolo’s doors open at Lo-Profile on Wardour St at 10 p.m., with entrance priced at £8 (or £4 with a Gigolo or QX ad) and for more details, go check their website at http://gigolodisco.com or search on http://shootmeup.co.uk.
So to a selection of Short Shouts and The RVT in Vauxhall have a great alternative night to the smart & stylish Soho set, as the ever entertaining David Hoyle takes an alternative look at life through the wonder of avant garde with guest Piff The Magic Dragon, & Drag Christ (you can just imagine!), while for the more conformist there is the late starting Gravity at Fire (actually into Friday but we’re not counting!), The Eagle getting down & dirty with their “Triga Thursday’s night, where porn flicks & porn stars are the name of the game, the three sites to visit to get more info being http://thervt.org.uk, http://fireclub.co.uk/gayparties & http://eaglelondon.com.
Society Does SMX
To Friday (27th May) & our Best Bite goes to “Society” at Lo-Profile, who entertain Logan Schmitz & SuperMartXe, for the second of SMX’s pre-parties and given how popular “Society” has become, teaming up with SMX is sure to make this Soho sophisticate even busier. Plus, the D.J. duo is delectably dynamic as Profile favourite Nathan Six moves downstairs to take charge of the early session of superb Spanish influenced sounds and given the form he has been on recently, his set should prove a scorcher. Then, to add more of that SMX Euro-beat & Spanish slant is Tony English, SMX’s resident D.J. who also sorts Logan’s monthly podcast, so without doubt the safest hands for the most superb sounds, plus his performance at the last Society we made, was pitch perfect, Mr English seemingly coming into his own at Lo-Profile, so is sure to sock a superb set. Plus, with Logan & his Schmitzel’s dusting “Society” with a healthy dose of SMX “Moulin Rouge” magic, this should prove the most stylish place to be seen on the scene for this first true weekend evening of the Spring Bank Holiday break. With doors opening at 10 p.m. & the club running till 4 a.m., check out http://loprofile.com for further details
To a selection of Short Shouts & the other big Weekend player, WE Party, get their own pre-party in also on Friday, a stone’s throw away at Rupert St, Brent Nicholls on the decks, while down in Vauxhall, Onyx get all hot under the collar with their “Heatwave” party with a beachwear theme, while new scene player, The Brixton Clubhouse kick off their weekend launch with D.J. Ben Jamin & guests spinning the alfresco sound action. Check out http://rupertstreet.com, http://fireclub.co.uk/gayparties & http://thebrixtionclubhouse.com for more info.
The Magic Of "Moulin Rouge"
Onwards to Saturday (28th May) & it’s very much a Spanish Armada night, with both SuperMartXe & WE Party vying for your attention, we having brought you most (if not all) the detail in out special preview “Pitting Their Wits” (well worth a read at http://discomatt.com/web/2011/05/previews-pitting-their-wits-supermartxe-moulin-rouge-we-party-london-candy-saturday-28th-may-special-preview/) while SMX’s “Moulin Rouge” event looks like being their most successful yet, at their new home Pulse that is. With Spanish resident AB Garcia being joined by Tony English, Per Q.X., & Jamie Hammond in the main room, while Room Service take over the second space, Kris Di Angelis & guests sorting the sounds, expect all the usual SMX spectacle, along with a special P.A. performance that is still under wraps (come on Logan, spill the beans!). As for the other detail, Pulse (1 Invicta Plaza off Southwark St., Blackfriars), is definitely one of THE places to be seen on the scene this Saturday (28th Mays), doors opening at 10.30 p.m. and the club running till 6.30 a.m. Advance £16 tickets are still available at http://supermartxe.clubtickets.com/gb/2011-05/28/supermartxe-london-moulin-rouge, while “hard” options can be grabbed at Prowler, Clone Zone & Solarstation in Soho. More detail on this “Moulin Rouge” event can be found by going to http://loganpresents.com.
Sweet Like Candy
So what about the other, WE Party? Well, they are serving up something quite special this Saturday (28th May) at their London home, The Coronet in Elephant & Castle, this welicious “Candy” themed event bursting at the seams with the sweetest of selections musically, as one of Spain’s finest, Carlos Gallardo makes a welcome return to the capital, as does prolific P.A. Peyton, the duo rolling out their latest single release, among a veritable feast of other treacle coated treats. And with a supporting cast that includes Paul Heron, Gonzalo Rivas & D’Johnny, plus that amazing WE lighting, staging & effects, “Candy” should definitely hit your sweet spots (shame we can’t be there!). The WE doors open at 11 p.m. with the event running through until 6 a.m, while advance tickets at £18 (sorry all those special £10 ones have gone) are still available online at http://weparty.clubtickets.com/gb/2011-05/28/we-party-london-we-candy, while “hard” ones can be sourced from Soho outlets Prowler, Clone Zone, Solarstation & 50 (all in Soho). More info on this exceptional event can be found by going to http://wepartylondon.com.
So to a selection of Short Shouts and completing the trio of pre-parties for SuperMartXe is host venue Rupert St, with Alessandro Londra on the decks, while Lo-Profile offer some escape from all things Spanish as Brent Nicholls kicks off their Saturday night, while Mr Londra follows up. But for the way out & whacky, it’s a Gutterslut weekend out east, at East Bloc to be precise, the GS crew sure to pack out the place, while down Vauxhall way, Queer Nation welcome special guest Beverley Knight to stoke up the atmosphere at this hip & happening event at Area. Check out http://rupertstreet.com, http://lorofile.com, http://myspace.com/gutterslutuk & http://patricklilley.com for respective info.
Onwards to Sunday and first & foremost, the morning will clearly be dominated by what looks like THE gathering of the whole weekend, as Beyond goes “Supersize” on us, joining forces with Barcode Vauxhall add that much needed extra capacity to this real highlight happening. So, despite our recent reports on the club (we believe quite constructive & positive), we will be throwing the full DM weight behind this historic meeting of Vauxhall minds with a special Focus post, “Bigger Is Better”, covering everything you need to know & more, so watch this space for that.
Peepshow Playhouse
In the meantime, like Saturday, we pour joint Best Bite recommends to two other parties, first “Downtown” which returns for another audacious outing at the Brixton Clubhouse in, yes, Brixton. Presented by Jodie Harsh’s Room Service, along with the magnificent East end endeavour “Meat”, this Sunday afternoon/evening soiree in the sun (hopefully) will see the likes of “Meat” men Tom Stephan & Kris Di Angelis fly that clubs D.J.’ing flags, while Miss Harsh herself will be spinning some sounds, along with newcomers to “Downtown”, Tom Davey & Russia’s hottest export, Dimitri Strigun, who steps off the go-go podium to bang out some beats. With dancefloor hosts including Munroe Bergdorf & Maria Fernanda in delectable duty, The Brixton Clubhouse team keeping the refreshments flowing in fine style, the “peepshow” theme to this outing will see it spread beyond the two outside decks into the inside too, as the sexual & seductive stage shows will draw the clamouring crowds “Downtown” to peek at the pervy & porn pumped action. So, it’s all gets going at The Brixton Clubhouse from 3 p.m. this Sunday (29th May), with “Downtown” running until midnight, advance £10 tickets available at http://ticketweb.co.uk, while more will be available on the door & info up for grabs at http://clubroomservice.com.
22nd Century Clubbing
Our second Sunday best Bite goes, of course, to Salvation, which makes a welcome return to the capital & to Koko in Camden, which played host to promoter Steve Elliot’s hugely successful NYD bash. And this latest outing promises to “…reboot clubbing & tale you into the 22nd Century…”, we having covered much of the detail in our preview “Saviour On Sunday”, will worth another peek at http://discomatt.com/web/2011/05/preview-saviour-on-sunday-salvation-the-future-sunday-29th-may/, although with a D.J. line up that includes Miswhite, Pier Morrocco, Paul Coals, Oliver M & Phil Marriot, with some surprises yet to be spilled, with promised lighting, stage shows, dancers & other additions expected to completely wow, this is one party out of the rick weekend pickings that you won’t want to miss out on. So much so, that we advise you grab your advance tickets, priced at £20 while you can by going online at http://gaypartix.com or in person at Prowler, Profile Bar & Barcode in Soho, as well as the latter’s sister venue in Vauxhall, along with the Camden, Clapham & Covent Garden branches of Soho Gyms. And if you fancy the royal treatment, why not upgrade by a mere fiver for the VIP option, which includes a separate entrance, free coatcheck & access to the exclusive VIP area (bargain we say!). More info on this outstanding outing can be found at http://salvation-london.com, while a short email to steve@salvation-london.com will answer any VIP questions you may have.
So to some Sunday Short Shouts and As One makes a welcome return to this slot, fitting neatly into the Spring Bank Holiday schedule, so sure to be extremely popular, Fire full to capacity we are sure, while Soho have their say, Shadow Lounge hosting another “Scandal” event. But if it’s more way-out wackiness you’re after, then Trailer Trash should be right up your Street, well Rivington Street in Shoreditch to be precise, although no Sunday would be complete without The RVT’s “S.LA.G.S./Chill-out”, which double doses too, an extra Monday session fitting in very nicely, websites http://fireclub.co.uk/gayparties, http://theshadowlounge.co.uk, http://clubtrailertrash.com & http://thervt.org.uk the places to go for further details.
Then finally to Monday (30th May) and it seems that the clubbing steam has very much run out of the scene, with no Orange and just the usual clubs like “Popcorn” at Heaven & “Citric” at Ku-Bar. So it seems that the day will be very much a wind down from the hectic previous four days, although two worth more than a look are both Later, which holds their Bank Holiday special at Area, following on from As One which finishes at midday Monday, so is sure to be packed, while it BBQ time down at The Brixton Clubhouse, this more sedate way to wave farewell to this Spring Bank Holiday sounding much more up our street, especially after the weekend we will had. But don’t forget that the “grassy knoll” is sure to be filled with Bank Holiday party goers ready for that second session of “S.LA.G.S./Chill-out” at The RVT, all the applicable websites already having been given a mention.
London's Clubbin Bible
However, one website we haven’t mentioned yet is tip top clubbing & London bible, SeenQueen, who have their own take on what’s hot this Spring Bank Holiday, with a special section devoted to just that, http://seenqueen.com/web packed out with further fabulous features that will keep your eyes glued & you entertained for hours, so go take a look. While, if you want to be looking your golden brown best, then why not top up that tan, or indeed get one, by taking the quick & easy way of a sunbed at the best spot in town, Solarstation on Soho’s Archer Street. Run by the most charming & friendly man in the capital, Hassan, have a look at http://solarstation.co.uk before you pay a visit or just pop along & Hassan will do the rest.
Well that’s it for this special Spring Bank Holiday Best Bites & Short Shouts in what looks like a really busy one for London and a busy one for us which starts with Room Service tomorrow night (Thurs 26th May), then a quick jaunt to Gigolo before we head to Heathrow & our flight to Rome for Muccassassina’s season finale. But we will be back in London just in time for SuperMartXe’s “Moulin Rouge” and then, naturally, will be finding our spot at Beyond for “Supersize”, then, after a quick disco nap, will be off to Kings Cross for The Sunday club, before rounding off our weekend at Salvation’s “The Future” event. So, if you see us out come say hi, but don’t forget that you can now also follow our activity as we “nibble size review tweet” our way through the weekend at http://twitter.com/discomatt.
Next week we will be back to our usual format, so if you fancy a mention then get e-mailing us at matt@discomatt.com, or plaster our Facebook walls, the best entry being http://facebook.com/discomattlondon which will then get you access to our other two pages. In the meantime, whatever you are up to & wherever it may find you, have a fantastic Spring Bank Holiday weekend, nut please make sure that you, “Go There! Be There! (DISCO MATT)
Posted in Recommends | Tags: AB Garcia, As One, Beyond, Brent Nicholls, Carlos Gallardo, David Hart, Downtown, Gigolo, Gonzalo Rivas, Gutterslut, Holestar, Jamie Hammond, Jim Warboy, Jodie Harsh, Kris Di Angelis, L.a. Hart, Lo-Porfile, Meat, MisWhite, Nathan Six, Oliver M, Onyx, Paul Coals, Paul Heron, Per Q.X., Phil Marriott, Pier Morrocco, Queer Nation, Room Service, Rupert Street, Salvation, Society, Steve Elliot, SuperMartXe, The Brixton Clubhouse, The RVT, Tom Stephan, Tony English, WE Party | No Comments »
The Future Is Salvation
When we look back through our now considerable chapters of clubbing, we can re-collect a huge amount of brands, events & ventures that have made their way into our catalogue of calendars, although there are only a few that can claim the prize of being true milestones in our life, stand-out statements in the sea of shindigs that are mere shadows in comparison. And whilst recent times have seen some elevate themselves in our estimation, not least through our writing, we can count on just one hand, the brands that have not just stood the test of time, but continue to attract our attention just as much as the brave new faces that clamour for our cavorting. And one such brand is Salvation, the club that started as a small yet sophisticated Sunday soiree but has, over the years, grown into a international institution, touching on all corners of the globe, building on the superb success it had in London and making considerable waves overseas, influencing the clubbing lives of a wealth of nations that other brands such as Beyond can only aspire to.
Yet whilst Salvation is clearly now an international success, its grass roots will always be in London and whilst times & fortunes have definitely changed for promoter Steve Elliot & his terrific team here in the capital, there is no doubt that there remains a penchant for a Salvation party, those halcyon days at Cafe De Paris always a tough act to follow, but in new (ish) home Koko in Camden, the team may well have found the antidote. Indeed looking back to the beginning of the year, there was no doubt that the clubbing crowd certainly reacted favourably to Salvation’s return, having been absent for a good eighteen months since the trials & tribulations of Troxy, Mr Elliot & co pulling off a superb showing, the queues round Koko’s corner speaking volumes and the Salvation spectacle standing up significantly. Now if you happened to miss out on this prolific party, then you can live some of the moments, through our eyes at least, in our review “Fervent Following” which is still available via direct link http://discomatt.com/web/2011/01/club-review-fervent-following-salvation-the-return-saturday-1st-january/.
Captivating Koko
So, with London still very much the prize picking for Salvation, this coming Bank Holiday weekend will see it takes it’s very rightful place in the capitals clubbing calendar, with a resplendent return to Koko in Camden on Sunday 29th May. Indeed Salvation will fit neatly into the schedule, Steve Elliot keen not to tread on too many toes (unlike some people we could mention!) in what has been labelled as “The Future”, the team keen to escape the trappings of its Cafe De Paris perception, along with the topsy turvy changes that saw it move from venue to venue. So, finding footing at Koko is the first important step in this future and what a fabulous footing it is, as, for us among many, Koo is without doubt the best of all the theatre style venues in London, a bohemian & baroque style in the making, yet with all the modern trappings that neatly blend to give the place an amazing atmospheric feel. The multi levelled balconies, the side alcoves and the expansive main space allow clubbers to find their favoured spot (we like a spot as you know!). Plus, with the deep burgundy colour scheme, Koko oozes sophistication, the elevated outside area a stylish sanctuary for smokers rather than the usual after thought spaces of other venues and whilst it may not have that superb sweeping staircase, we actually think the venue has every bit the opulence of Salvation’s historical home, meaning we can’t wait to party there again. And don’t forget, that Camden is a mere 6 minutes away from the West End by tube, making it as much, if not more accessible than any other option.
With that part of Salvation’s future sewn up, what else can you expect from the clubs new found direction? Well, to be honest, as of going to press, much of what’s in store has been kept under wraps, the promotions team keeping lips sealed and, despite having accosted Steve Elliot on Old Compton Street just last Friday, even we couldn’t get it out of him. However, from a press release point of view, we are pleased that that has been forthcoming, (especially given the unilateral decision by one of London’s biggest clubbing groups to remove us from theirs – what a lovely way to treat the press!!!) and, whilst we never tend to dwell on these PR pieces, we particularly like Salvation’s so wanted to share some of it with you too, as reading between the lines, we kind of get the feel for how this “The Future” party will be themed. The first part of the release goes as follows…..
“…..As the galaxy expands, and new worlds are discovered, there is only one thing that remains a constant throughout time…. SALVATION. This interstellar phenomenon is now the last in non virtual augmented recreation. A place were andriods can interface with humonoids, and cyborgs can truly sync up with transhumans. Login for a sonic sensation and give control over to our Digital Jockies who are programmed to remove your behavioural inhibitors, release your kenetic energy, keep those circuits humming, and saturate you in a pleasure of the highest frequency. Its time to waken from hyper sleep, dock your starship, and download your conciousness for an experience that will overload your systems. Welcome to clubbing in the 22nd Century…..”
Now, whilst we haven’t seen the film, it looks like Salvation will be drawing on the influences of the iconic flick “Tron”, which received the re-make treatment just last year, “Legacy” been a huge hit in both conventional & 3D form, the buzz still brilliant 12 months on and, as a result, we expect this theme to be central to Salvation’s showing, stunning lighting & lasers employed to soar Koko intergalactic, with LED walls, CO2 jets & other exceptional effects never seen at a Salvation event before, creating a feel of complete “…Futuristic Aural Pleasure!…”. And the main stage will be the focal point of eye catching attention, although the P.A. performance is also still under wraps, so like a few bites of other detail, we will be beavering away in the coming days to bring you news, so keep your eyes peeled for a further focus as the Bank Holiday & Salvation’s Sunday stint on 29th gets closer.
Iconic Image
What we can confirm however, is the music & the D.J. line up, Salvation calling on its terrific team of London based residents to rock Koko to its foundations with rip roaring rhythms. And who better to choose than the likes of Miswhite, Pier Morrocco, Paul Coals & Oliver M to mastermind the music in the main room, while the VIP lounge will sport Gaydar Radio’s Phil Marriott, along with Howard Turner. Now, our little Emma (Miswhite) packed a powerful punch at Salvations NYD bash, setting the scene superbly and we can expect from same from her again, plenty of uplifting beats intermixed with stylish vocal infused tracks to really get this “Future” party going, while Pier Morrocco, having stole the As One show at Easter, will surely show off more of the fantastic form he is in at the moment, we absolutely loving his style of sound, pumping progressive, tech toned bucket loads of beats that will send Salvation stratospheric. Then in both Paul Coals & Oliver M, this “Future” party has two stalwarts that will steer the Salvation ship along superbly, keeping the pace octane fuelled & the party prolific right through till end dying seconds, while over in the VIP lounge, we simply cannot wait to sample heaps of Marriott magic, akin to those euphoric evenings at Profile Bar, as he pulls out plenty of heavenly hits from his considerable collection. And, if you haven’t sampled any of these tremendous talents magnificent music, then go check our postscript for links to their podcast pages.
Now, given the fact there is more to share on this Salvation shindig, we will be bringing you that further focus as news hits our desks, at which stage we will run down the all important detail of this delectable diary date. However, with the impetuous for this outstanding outing increasing by the day, it’s worth noting the following information now and also acting on grabbing your ticket for this unmissable event which, we remind you, takes place on Sunday 29th May at Koko Club in Camden, doors opening at 7 p.m. and the club running through to a planned 2 a.m. finish. Advance tickets are already on sale priced at £20, with the VIP option a mere £5 more, that package including a separate entrance, free coatcheck & access to the exclusive VIP area, which you can either grab online at http://gaypartix.com or in person at Prowler, Profile Bar & Barcode in Soho, as well as the latter’s sister venue in Vauxhall, along with the Camden, Clapham & Covent Garden branches of Soho Gyms. You can also enquire via Salvation’s Facebook page or at their website http://salvation-london.com, where details of VIP tales & boxed can also be obtained, a sort email to steve@salvation-london.com receiving your priority attention.
So, it definitely seems that the future is looking bright for Salvation and come Sunday 29th May, when you make it up to Koko in Camden, you will see exactly why, leaving us to end this preview by simply saying, make sure you “Go There! Be There! (DISCO MATT)
Postscript
Now to those music details and these are the sites you need to soak your ears with stack loads of superb Salvation sounds and prepare yourself for “The Future”, as these stars take you intergalactic with their magnificent music.
Miswhite http://miswhite.podomatic.com
Pier Morrocco http://piermorrocco.podomatic.com/
Oliver M http://djoliverm.podomatic.com
Paul Coals http://djpaulcoals.podomatic.com
Phil Marriott http://djphilmarriott.podomatic.com
Posted in Previews | Tags: Howard Turner, Koko, MisWhite, Oliver M, Paul Coals, Phil Marriott, Pier Morrocco, Salvation, Steve Elliott | No Comments »
Well, what a month it has been in Disco Matt land, first the flu & then a nasty ear infection that has left us most out of sorts, although it hasn’t stopped us getting out & about on the scene, and when we haven’t, recommending the places to be & be seen. So as the first month of 2011 draws to a close, it’s time to once again look at what’s on offer in Soho, Vauxhall & elsewhere to tempt you out on what is (for many we suspect) the first payday of the month.
So, spotlighting Soho, Profile & Lo-Profile get our first shout, another wonderful weekend in prospect that takes off upstairs tomorrow (Fri 28th Jan) in Profile from 7 p.m. with Nathan Six on the decks, while down in Lo-Profile, Brent Nicholls serves up the funky & Latin flavoured fun from 10 p.m., followed by Latino Gonzalo Rivas, who takes you deep into Saturday morning, till 4 a.m. Then on Saturday, Profile gets going with the grooves, courtesy of Craig Daniels, while downstairs the duo of Jamie Head & Alessandro Londra should ensure two sets full of stupendous sounds, percussionist David H adding his own spice to this Saturday shindig. Now, in our books, both Profile & Lo-Profile still sit as the best package in Soho for a complete evening of socialising & clubbing, plus môn-congrats to Profile for their runner up slot in the SeenQueen (SQ) Best Bar poll category, more details of both venues available at http://profileshoho.com & http://loprofile.com.
Down at The Shadow Lounge, news is still brewing of a new night, our ears (at least our good one) still close to the ground, while the weekend winning format currently stays the same, Friday seeing another “Therapy” session with the boy girl combo of Miswhite & Paul Heron spinning the dance worthy discs, while on Saturday, the ever popular & adorable Andrew Elmore injects a whole load of “Inferno” into the occasion, pop-tastic tunes being the order of the day. Now, just a quick couple of dates for your diaries, next Thurs (3rd Feb) seeing the return of house hit “Hola” with Terry Vietheer & Bodytalk’s DJ Rokk, while the following Friday (11th Feb) it’s the Delice Dream pre-party (more details right here next week). Further info on these & all other events can be found by going to http://theshadowlounge.co.uk/ or connecting with their group at http://facebook.com/theshadowlounge.
Now a furtherl Soho shout for Barcode, who must surely be in celebratory mood, having scooped the crown for Best Bar in the SQ “Your Disco Needs You” poll, Friday (28th) kick starting the celebrations with another “The Cave” club night downstairs, special guest Hifi Sean selecting the sounds, , while regulars Dilmar Brito & Jo Publik pick the hits upstairs. Plus, don’t forget Industri, which now has its residency here in Soho & takes place at Barcode each & every Wednesday, D.J.’s Brent Nicholls & Paul Heron on weekly rotation, but Minty always there to steer this social splendour in the right direction. More details of happenings at Barcode can be found by going to http://bar-code.co.uk.
Rupert St & Ku Bar are our last best bites, Rupert St seeing D.J. Minx mastermind the music on Friday, while on Saturday, the legend that is Fat Tony makes his indelible impression of this Soho sophisticate, info on the bar available at http://rupertstreet.com. Over at Ku Bar & Club on Lisle St, its Brazilian beats a-plenty, as they host the “official “The Week” pre-party tomorrow (Fri 28th), with the delectable DouGuim on the decks & a carival collective sure to gather, more news on Ku available at http://ku-bar.co.uk.
Right moving over the river and south to Vauxhall, we capture another weekend of jam packed activity at Fire & Area, The Orange Group cast of clubs & highlights including Onyx, who hold a stylish “Burlesque Ball” this tomorrow (Fri 28th) which includes contemporary choreographed dance performances & a special P.A. performance, the team clearly keen to pack out the place as there is an inflation busting entry offer of just £1 before midnight with a flyer, ad or concession g/list entry. Following that is afterhours A:M, another SQ award winner, clinching second spot in Best Weekly Club category, so Oliver & the team will be in party mood, welcoming guest D.J. Paul Heron to the decks. Back over at Area & probably the biggest celebration will be at Beyond this Sunday (30th), as they lifted the big SQ crown as Best Overall, as well as adding another SQ Best Weekly Club award to their trophy cabinet. Add to that their “The Week” afterparty with the likes of D’Johnny, Steve Pitron & Alan K, and this will be THE place to be for sure. With a clubbing cast that also includes Gravity, Later, Booster & Orange , you can literally party from Thursday right through till Monday, bouncing between both venues, although The Coronet will surely be a diversion on Sat (29th) when Brazil’s best is back, The Week landing back in London (more in a min). For more info on All Things Orange, go to http://fireclub.co.uk/fire-nightclub-london-gay-parties.php, while guest list inclusions can be sorted by going to http://gayguestlits.com/.
With a Weekend Focus Extra coming up on fetish club Hard On! which will be the other Vauxhall victor on the club scene this Saturday, we wind up our shouts in the Soho of the south, with two quick mentions, first for The RVT, who have a fabulous threesome, Friday seeing the return fabulous night “Marvellous”, while the ever popular “Duckie” stands proud on Saturday & then no Sunday would be the same without a S.LA.G.S./Chill-out session with the majesty that is The Dame Edna Experience. Details of these & other events at this legendary boozer can be found by going to http://thervt.org.uk.
Our other shout goes to two new clubs from ex Onyx promoter Steve Geller, who is now firmly in bed with the team at Union (formerly Crash) and sets this Saturday (29th Jan) alight with new club night, “Epic”, Mr G being joined in the main room by D.J. Daniel Stone, while Barbara Bush & Robbie Keats pop it up in room 2. Then on Tuesday, Steven is back for more, this time an afterhours style event called “Desire” which kicks off at 4 a.m. with our the multi mixing Steven taking charge & thrilling with four decks at once. More details of both events & more can be found by going to http://clubunion/co/uk.
Moving onto all things elsewhere, our first best bite goes to The Week which, whilst an a-typical big club choice, does fall outside the premise of Vauxhall, as the London team have chosen to move it from Fire to The Coronet in Elephant & Castle, & having spoken with the teams head poncho, he explained of the move “…we are stepping up the pace to & increasing the space to showcase the best Brazilian carnival feel to the London crowd…” further adding that “…The Coronet will allow us to display the extravagant production and the array of dancers &performers to their absolute best…” And with costumes finalised, the stage settings complete & the choreography crafted, The Week is ready to take London by storm again, this 2nd event taking place on Sat (29th Jan), full details avaiable in our Weekend Focus post via direct link http://discomatt.com/web/2011/01/dm-recommends-brazils-best-is-back-the-week-saturday-29th-january-weekend-focus/.
As for our real alternatives, The Dalston Superstore (DSS) takes our top choice slot, their weekend starting with the return of night “Revive Her” this Fri (28th Jann) with a cast of D.J.’s that include Lovefingers, Jonny Nash, Minkioni, Dan Hill & Nicholas Fee, all mixing up classic house sounds with future dosco & much more, surely making for bucket loads thumping fun, although Saturday looks like being even better, as “Phat Bitch” takes DSS by storm, hosted by the iconic Tasty Tim, who welcomes an array of guests to share the decks downstairs, while the sweet sounds of Eka Browdny & Scott Webster steer the satisfying sounds upstairs. And with no weekend complete without a “Tutti Frutti” session on Sunday, Dalston & the DSS is the hip happening place, with more details out via their Facebook page or by following the boys at http://twitter.com/dsuperstore.
Next we hone in on Saturday night (29th Jan) as there is something quite special going on at East Bloc, Wayne Shires & Laurent Chaumet’s Shoreditch hangout that is making many waves in this part of the world, their event “Meat” sure to do that & much more. Billed as “…The sexiest party to hit East London ever…”, this all out underground man fest welcomes the might of internationally renowned D.J./Producer Tom Stephan (aka Superchumbo), the original underground rocker of Wayne’s first clubbing love, Crash, Tom being backed up by Shoreditch son Kris Di Angelis, who has been strutting it in the studio with Tom of late, so we are expecting them to share the fruits of their labour with us. With plenty more besides, this is going to be one major mash-up, the team having extended the opening hours until a brave 6 a.m., more details of this & other events (incl. the fab Disco Fag Bar on Friday’s) out at http://eastbloc.co.uk.
Our other alternative is new venture The Sunday Club takes which place this, yes you guessed it, Sunday (30th Jan) at The Kings Cross Social, a new venue on Britannia St, the Farringdon end of this trendy & rejuvenated area of London. Headed up by the legendary Trade D.J. Steve (Janet) Thomas, The Sunday Club is sure to sport plenty of brilliant beats in the tech & progressive style, the emphasis as much on the chat as the tunes, and as Steve aptly puts it, “pop in, unwind, kick back, chit chat, boogie down, drink up, then…….”. Joining Steve on the decks will be a selection of special guests (rumour has it Nick Tcherniak may take his turn too), the club kicking off at 4 p.m. & running through until 10 p.m., entry free until 6, then £5 thereafter and if you fancy a sneak preview, check out their video at http://youtube.com/watch?v=HBmA3CzQZNY, while venue details are available at http://kingscrosssocialclub.com.
Right thats it, our best bites choices up for another week, just leaving us time to point you in the direction of tip top clubbing website, SeenQueen, who have their own hot & happening tips for the places to be seen on the scene, plus much more besides. Indeed, why not go check out how your favourite bar, club or event faired in their “Your Disco Needs You” poll, this & a whole load more available a mere click away at http://seenqueen.com.
Back to http://discomatt.com and watch this space for that focus on Hard On!, plus a feature on the re-launch of Open as well as Gravity Gold, before we hit the European trail next week, this upcoming weekend seeing us get away from it all in Brighton, as Danny Verde flies in for a gig and then Nick Tcherniak, Steve Thomas & Lizzie France star in a special music Industryparty, all seeing us do a bit of DM networking.
However, here in London it definitely looks like being a carnival collective of a weekend as The Week dominates with that pre-party at Ku, the main event at The Coronet & the afterparty at Beyond, so if you are going Brazilian & shaking those samba moves, have a brilliant time, but, wherever you are & whatever you are up to, have a wonderful weekend and as we always say, “Go There! Be There! (DISCO MATT)
Posted in Recommends | Tags: A:M, Alessandro Londra, Barcode Soho, Beyond, Brent Nicholls, Dalston Superstore, Danny Verde, East Bloc, Fat Tony DouGuim, Gonzalo Rivas, Gravity, Hifi Sean, Jamoe Head, Kris Di Angelis, Ku Bar, Later, Lo-Profile, Minx, MisWhite, Nathan Six, Nick Tcherniak, Onyx, Open, Orange, Paul Heron, Profile Bar, Rupert St, Shadow Lounge, Steve Thomas, The RVT, The Sunday Club, Tom Stephan | No Comments »
Just when we thought we could get our feet back under the table & to our regular D.J. focuses, up come a veritable feast of compilations & tracks, which have kind of forced our hand (in a good way of course) into filing another newsletter, not two weeks after the last. Indeed, with a pretty hectic February that includes trips to Paris, Brussels, Antwerp & Amsterdam, not to mention the big one, South Africa, we thought it best to get this mountain of mixes to market while they are still fresh in the mind, some which may not have yet made your collections. But just before we do, a reminder to watch out for our first full-on D.J. focus of the year, coming up this week, Tel Aviv’s own Guy Scheiman standing under our spotlight, while February sees an Anglo French special to kick off the month, as well as a special devotion to Lovechild’s music in time for their 2nd birthday.
But back to our mountain and first up is Steven Redant who has had a whirlwind of a time over the last few weeks, having rounded off his 2010 and then kick starting the New Year with a tour of Brazil, followed by trips to Bordeaux, Zurich, & Cologne, not to mention squeezing in his birthday in the first week of this month, meaning that his feet have hardly touched his beloved Barcelona base. So, it is no surprise that his usual stream of compilations have taken a little bit of a nose dive recently, but fear not, as Mr Redant has hit the recording studio to celebrate that Brazilian tour with a 68 minute mix lifted direct from one of his live sets & includes “…full on international tribal house, with exclusive mash-ups & upbeat tracks…” and had us hooked from the start. So, to get your slice of Steven in action, go now to http://stevenredant.com/ and while you’re at it, keep an eye out for his tracks “Naked” & “I Need a Hit”, which are storming up the Billboard dance charts.
Leading on nicely is firm friend of Steven’s, the delectable D.J. Phil Romano, who, like his close pal, was in Brazil for the New Year, mixing business & pleasure in Rio before returning to his Barcelona base & a mossie on down in Madrid on the first weekend of this month. Having had, in his own words, “…one of the best years ever…”, 2011 is not shaping up at all bad either for this Italian stud, with terrific touring trips to Montreal for Valentines, Sydney for Mardi Gras, Hawaii in May & much more besides, let alone the inaugural La Demence cruise, it seeming that the insatiable desires for his services remains just as strong this year as it was last. Plus, Phil is currently working on studio track projects with Steven & Lenz Garcia, not to mention having recently released a new podcast serenading the end to his year, this marvellous mix which is out at http://djphilromano.podomatic.com/ and has already been shared on Sydney Homesexual’s podcast site http://homesexual.podomatic.com/, marking his appearance at club on Mardi Gras weekend in March. So, for this a-typical Phil pulsating & pumping progressive come uplifting splendour a worthy addition to your collection, go click on the links & download away.
Staying with Barcelona boys and a man that really came into his own in 2010, not just landing on London twice in the year, but more importantly having been headhunted by massive club brand Matinee, Mr Medina signing on the dotted line in December & kick starting his Matinee career with parties in Paris, then over in The States for NY, featuring large in Miami & New York and racking up a considerable following Stateside as a result. So, it is most appropriate that, after a drought of nearly four months, our man Javier has laid down a compilation to celebrate his glorious news & mini USA tour, his performance at Pacha in NYC concentrated into a 60 minute mix which is out on his Souncloud page (direct link http://soundcloud.com/javier-medina/pachanyc2011) while two of his track remix works are also Javier jewels, first his remix of Nacho Chapado’s “Aimione”, then another nod to USA with his take on the D.J. Rony & Giese track “Always There For You” which he cutely calls his “I Love America” remix, both out at http://soundcloud.com/javier-medina/. Plus, if you haven’t yet, make sure you grab his “A Night With The Boys In BCN” comp, as it is, in our own estimation, one of his best yet, leaving us to express our hearty congratulations on his magnificent Matinee news & wish him all the best for what looks like a hectic yet fulfilling & fantastic year for him, we proud as punch on his amazing achievement.
Just before we wave farewell to Spain, we kind of thought it would be appropriate to slot in the latest podcast release by Tony English on behalf of Logan presents, Tony as you may have gathered from our previous posts, having a soft spot for all things Spain. And, in terms of tracing tracks & finding out new sounds, there is no-one better connected to do so, this latest compilation come newsletter from Tony very much is THE place to get the hot off the press news on SuperMartXe & other Logan Schmitz projects, let alone all those moovin & groovin tunes that are rocking the European dancefloors. So, with Spanish superstar D.J. Juanjo Martin joining Tony on this January edition, plus with tracks from other Spanish stars, including that rocking release from Steven Redant, “I Need A Hit” kicking off this 81 minute mixed-in music & news issue, go to http://loganpresentspodcast.podomatic.com/ to get right up to date with the L.P. action.
Jumping over the border & into France, we are hoping to do the same next week with a leisurely three day stay in Paris, when we will also be planning a special music post devoted to all things French (& Belgian). However, we couldn’t resist sharing a handful of new releases with you now, the first from Ben Manson, this Paris based D.J. starting his 2011 as he means to go on with an appearance for La Demence’s NYD session In Brussels, while gigs for Thursday night club Urban People at Makassar, Saturday nighter, Spice, as well as legendary club, Scream & the first WE party in Paris, have kept him very busy in his home city since then. So, he could be forgiven for not being in the recording studio, but none of it, as Ben has released a new compilation, shouting for all things Scream which is superb & well worth adding you our collection by going to http://benmanson.podomatic.com/, while track recordings with mixing partner Oliver Malone, gather steam, the latest being a deep house re-work of Jose Diaz’s “Erika”, which is out at http://soundcloud.com/manson-3/jos-diaz-erika-ben-manson-olivier-malone-deep-remix.
Next in our French threesome is Bruno Kauffmann, whom we hope to meet in person in Paris next week, during which time we will be commissioning a fresh new bio & focus on this well established talent, his track release “Feel Me”, which we mentioned in our last newsletter, having been given the remix treatment by fellow Frenchmen, Aurel Devil & Leomeo, links to which we will share in that upcoming bio (oh we are a tease!). However, in advance of our devotion to Bruno, we thought we would share with you, a substantial slice of this man’s style & sound, his latest compilation entitled “I Love Paris”, as good an example as any, his tech house come pumping progressive persuasion, very much reflected here & well worth both listening to & downloading via direct link http://soundcloud.com/djbrunokauffmann/dj-bruno-kauffmann-mix-live-i-love-paris-2011 while we have much more Bruno brilliance coming up in our full focus, so watch out for that.
Now, not a newsletter or post seems to go by without friend & French fancy, Leomeo Carandang issuing a new track or mix, such is his dedication to his art & his feverish work in the studio. Mind you, despite gigs dragging him away from his home city on a weekly basis, Leo was actually in Paris a couple of weekends ago & was part of the launch of a new club in the city. But he was back on the road again before you could say kilometre, travelling 364 of them down to Lyon where he played at La Garçionnière on Saturday and upon returning to Paris, laid down a special compilation to mark the occasion which is so hot of the press it is still smouldering, although this tech house triumph is smouldering in itself, with track re-works of classic Moby & Depeche Mode hits among plenty of others, this is Leomeo at his lavish best & a must for your collection by going to http://soundcloud.com/djleomeo/la-gar-ionni-re-the-mix. But the news doesn’t stop there as our Parisian pal now has his own channel, which pulls into one site & source, his videos & tracks, but we once again tease, as more news on this will be released in our upcoming “Parisian Pleasure to Belgian Brilliance” special music post.
Our final continental based bloke for this post, although an Aussie by birth, is Mike Kelly who also gets our singular nod to Australia day (today Wed 26th Jan), although he is far from home, having rested his hat firmly in Cologne now for a few years. Since seeing him play live at Hustlaball when we visited Berlin in October, Mike has remained as busy as ever, not just with gigs across Germany & the further reaches of Europe, but he is active in the studio, while also managing record label Sorry Shoes with recording partner Jean Phillips, the label recently celebrating its 30th release as well as two weekly radio shows hosted by Mr Kelly over the airwaves in both Germany & Brazil. That said, Mike was in the recording studio not a week ago, laying down the second part to his “A Nice Day Shopping” mix, a more progressive production compared to the tech infused first, but both excellent examples of his style, so worth grabbing at http://soundcloud.com/djmikekelly. However, it is Mike’s & Jean’s “Bedroom Muzak” mix of the superb “Show Me Your Love” by Miguel Picasso, featuring Rebeka Brown’s vocals, that really does it for us & is a must have by going to http://soundcloud.com/djmikekelly/miguel-picasso-feat-rebeka-brown-show-me-your-love-jean-philips-mike-kelly-bedroom-muzik , plus as it is just five days released, like Leo’s mix, is still smouldering and is indeed smouldering (if you get our drift!)
Right, well time to head home a rattle through news of some latest podcast releases to hit our desks, the smouldering slant continuing as Chris Brogan, who starred at Industri’s birthday bash last Wednesday, has literally just released a new compilation & very much in the New Year vein, especially with a title like “Resolution”, although it’s the music that does the talking & sets a statement here. With favourite tracks of ours including Chris Lake’s remix of Nalim & Kane’s “Beachball” Dr Kucho’s “Sanity” & Funkagenda’s “Past Dreaming”, as well as Mr Brogan’s edit of Martin Solveig’s “Hello”, the mix is jam packed with gems and is worthy of your collection by going to http://soundcloud.com/djchrisbrogan/resolution, as it has already made ours.
Foxy female MisWhite is the next newsworthy entrant, our Emma having stormed Salvation on NYD with a scintillating set, so decided to put together a mix called “Keep On Rising” which she explains as “…a little something to keep you going through the cold winter detox months…” she further exclaiming of the tracks on her mix “…those of you were at the amazing Salvation at Koko on NYD, will recognise a lot of them, and those who weren’t make sure you at the next one!…”, hear, hear and no whispering from us (in house joke) as we sink into the splendour of this superlative set of sounds, this magnificent mix a must, which is out now at http://miswhite.podomatic.com.
Onward and sticking to the rising theme is Zach Burns, very much a rising star and a talent we spotted a few months ago, although have still yet to laud a full focus on, but with plans to chalk a special report covering new & up-coming talent, Zach will certainly get his share in that, However, in the meantime, we want to share his latest compilation release with you and one lifted direct from his live set just over a week ago at mad Monday nighter, Popcorn, when Mr Burns played out alongside percussionist David H, Zach remarking of the experience, “…playing alongside David again was such a buzz & I enjoyed literally every minute of it…” this euphoria very much reflected in his performance and by this recording, so is well worth a listen at http://djburns.podomatic.com/.
Our final mention (well almost) goes to Brazilian Doug Guimarães , better known behind the decks simply as DouGuim, a talent that was spotted by Lovechild top man Alex Erfan and given a big break at the launch of The Week in London back in September. Mind you, he disappeared under our radar at the time, although has since come shining through with outstanding performances at Beyond, as well as having taken guest spots for Onyx & Later, and holding down as a residency at Ku Bar. Plus, along with the so called “Brazilian Mafia”, Doug’s face is becoming very familiar on the scene, partly why he has been elevated to an intrinsic ingredient in the re-launch of afterhours club brand, Open. But just round the corner, Saturday in fact, when Brazil’s best is back, he will take centre stage at The Week alongside fellow Brazilian Leandro Becker, the London based Mr Guimarães having laid down a special compilation to mark the occasion which is an absolute corker so yet another must for your collection, which you can snap up at http://douguim.podomatic.com/.
Right just before we finish, a quick bit of news about Lovechild, which scooped the SeenQueen crown for Best Monthly Club in their “Your Disco Needs You” poll, but moreover celebrates its 2nd birthday next month. So, naturally, we will be giving it the full music attention, focussing on stars Chris Bekker & Eduardo de la Torre, both who jet in from Germany to star in this special birthday bash. But on top of that we will be sharing the brand new “Lovechild” track, currently being pressed in the studio by Lovechild resident Tony English. Featuring vocals from the amazing Kaysee, who will also be starring at the 2nd birthday & performing the track live for the first time. Add to that mentions & nods for the huge Lovechild resident D.J. team (over a dozen of them) & this will be a music special post to top the lot.
Well that’s it, our latest newsletter covering 12 D.J.’s & 19 compilations/tracks, although there is a 20th and one we unashamedly can’t put down, a self indulgent further mention going to our own “Disco Matt’s Dance-tastic Top 20 Of 2010” collection, a compilation mixed exclusively by Brent Nicholls, whom we paoured plaudits on in our first special music post of the year, “Die-Cast Disco Duo”, and well deservedly so, as he has made this mix available on his own website at http://djbrentnicholls.com/music as well as issuing a special download option at http://brentnicholls.mysites.com/-podcasts/1101-discomatt-2010-top-20-128.mp3, so another big thanks to him. Plus, with any luck the mix will eventually make it to our own podcast & soundcloud pages, the latter incidentally, where you can find segments of our newsletter devotions to various D.J.’s at http://soundcloud.com/discomatt. including some metioned right here.
So, with that self indulgent moment over, and plenty of other compilations & tracks to chose from here, all that’s left to say is, “sit back, select those sounds, turn up the volume & let them play, as music IS the answer” (DISCO MATT)
Posted in Music | Tags: Ben Manson, Brent Nicholls, Bruno Kauffmann, Chris Brogan, Javier Medina, Leomeo, Logan Presents, Mike Kelly, MisWhite, Phil Romano, Steven Redant, Tony English, Zach Burns | No Comments »
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24 Aug 2012 | 1 Comment
Recommends – “Bank Holiday Branding Bonanza” – As One “Legends Of London” – Sunday 26th August – Weekend Focus Special
Modelled as the modern day derivative of the likes of Famous Five & Universe and finding itself in its third summer on the scene, As One in the hands of promoter Steven Sharp continues to bring together clubbing communities from far & wide, this latest collaboration combining some big brand ...
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2 Jul 2012 | 0 Comments
Reports/Recommends – “In Safe Hands” – Salvation – Monday 2nd July – Special Feature/Focus
While the untimely passing of its promoter came as a shock to all, it comes as no real shock that Steve Elliott’s successor was announced as one Oliver Mohns, DM delving into the detail of this announcement, as well as plans this old hands at the promotions game has in ...
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29 Dec 2011 | 0 Comments
Recommends – “Spiritual Sunday Soiree” – Salvation “New Years Day Spectacular” – Sunday 1st January 2012 – New Year’s Focus Special
After a year cutting a significant stride on the global clubbing circuit, the superb Salvation returns to its spiritual home, London’s Café De Paris, with a prolific party that will surely dazzle & delight, Disco Matt delving into all the detail of this dynamic draw, including podcast page links & ...
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12 Nov 2011 | 0 Comments
Recommends – “Resurrection Rejoicing” – Salvation “The Anniversary” – Sunday 13th November – Weekend Extra Bites
When you look at the wealth of wonderful clubs that have graced the capitals circuit, it has certainly been seen as a rich playing field for some of the biggest names in the business, worldwide brands such as Matinee, SuperMartXe & WE having made London as much a home as ...
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6 Jul 2011 | 1 Comment
Recommends – “Fantastic Festival Re-Formed” – Summer Rites “Re-Mixed” – Sunday 10th July – Weekend Focus
Having just about a week ago lamenting on the wonders of park festivals passed, we find ourselves in the same boat, looking back & then looking forward as one of our favourite festivals from a good ten years makes its welcome return to the summer scene. But pushing back the ...
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31 May 2011 | 0 Comments
Reports – “Stunning Stage Sparkles” – Salvation “The Future” – Sunday 29th May – Preview The Review
We really do adore a t-dance style soiree, but Salvation’s “The Future” event was always going to be more than that, this second foray at Koko in Camden, on the cards at least, looking like a smash as well as creating a splash on the spring bank holiday scene, meaning ...
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26 May 2011 | 0 Comments
Recommends – “Amazing Action To Absorb” – Spring Bank Holiday Weekend Best Bites & Short Shouts Special – Thursday 26th to Monday 30th May
With the fourth Bank Holiday (the third in a month) right on our doorstep, we thought we would depart slightly from our usual Weekend Best Bites & Short Shouts format, by extending it right across what is actually five days of frolicking, as, if like us, your weekend looks like ...
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19 May 2011 | 0 Comments
Previews – “Saviour On Sunday” – Salvation “The Future” – Sunday 29th May
When we look back through our now considerable chapters of clubbing, we can re-collect a huge amount of brands, events & ventures that have made their way into our catalogue of calendars, although there are only a few that can claim the prize of being true milestones in our life, ...
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28 Jan 2011 | 0 Comments
DM Recommends – “Carnival Collective” – Weekend Best Bites – Fri 28th to Sun 30th January
Well, what a month it has been in Disco Matt land, first the flu & then a nasty ear infection that has left us most out of sorts, although it hasn’t stopped us getting out & about on the scene, and when we haven’t, recommending the places to be & ...
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26 Jan 2011 | 0 Comments
DM Does…The Music News – “Mountain Of Mixes To Market” – Music Is The Answer Newsletter – Wednesday 26th January
Just when we thought we could get our feet back under the table & to our regular D.J. focuses, up come a veritable feast of compilations & tracks, which have kind of forced our hand (in a good way of course) into filing another newsletter, not two weeks after the ...
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