London

Lessons to be learnt…

Words: Mike Taylor

Saturday 02 March was a long coming date in many people’s calenders and was a date that was to set host to what could have been one of the best parties of the year thus far. It saw Vauxhall club, Fire hosting a star studded line up of superstar DJ’s; Steve Lawler’s VIVa Warriors. Finding its home in Sankey’s and after having a sensational season in Ibiza last year they have been riding the wave of success, having hosted some of the best parties on the island. Their ethos is simple and it is something that all the VIVa Warriors preach; Great music, great people and with a pioneer such as Steve Lawler hosting these events, with his extensive history in underground and illegal raves you can almost bet it would be a night to remember. Unfortunately this time around it was something of a very different reality, which was due to no fault of their own.

Room one was calling and the music could not be faulted, the DJ’s executed their jobs with precision and artistry, my brief encounter with the Martinez Brothers was quite inspirational, watching such young artists perform with such professionalism and energy is only to be admired. VIVa boss Steve Lawler then stepped on and continued the onslaught of rhythmic, latin inspired tech-house. Stand out tracks such as Guti’s remix of “You Don’t Have To Hop” and Lawler’s new, unreleased “Organ Track” received amazing response. Tiefschwarz finished up the night with a descent into the realms of abyssal darkness, dubby techno and minimalistic sounds were for dessert, with memorable tracks like “Oslo Museum” taking the roof off.

Unfortunately my love affair of the music does not correspond with my feeling for the event. VIVa Warriors pride themselves on hosting great parties, never losing touch of the atmosphere and vibe they aspire to create, but on this occasion it was far from a VIVa Warriors party. Getting inside the building was a struggle in itself, door staff were pushed to their limit; they were understaffed and had little to no control over the masses of people stampeding in the queue. They seemed to have no idea what was going on and it was apparent there was no communication. Guest list was obviously given away too freely and what should have taken five minutes to get in took over an hour, all due to poor execution. I truly felt for the ‘pay on the door’ customers who had been waiting for hours to finally be told they had no chance of entering.

Once inside it was clear the event was hugely oversold, hoards of people fighting to find any little space that was available, there was barely room to breathe let alone to dance. It meant you couldn’t fully appreciate the music and was part of the reason I never left the main room, I couldn’t bare the thought of having to try and move through the deep sea of people, even a trip a to the toilet would of taken at least half an hour. Moving through the multiple narrow corridors was chaos; walls of people were simply jammed with nowhere to move causing a handful of fights I saw break out that evening.

I don’t know who is to blame but in this case everything just fell apart, did Fire just want the money? I don’t know, but what could have been one of the best events so far this year turned into a nightmare as so many inside agreed. I will be returning to both Fire and VIVa Warriors events as this is a rarity, all I can do is hope they have learned from this and look forward to experiencing the true VIVa Warriors vibe in Sankeys Ibiza.

Innovative German line-up…

Exstatic Sounds have set up their next event and it’s one that will not fail to impress, not only musically but also on the venue aspect. It’s seems that the guys at Exstatic Sounds may have the perfect venue up their sleeve as they explain, “We have been looking around to find the right space for quite some time and have chosen a nice & clean Warehouse / Studio Space that has everything we need in order… and of course Funktion One Sound System”. Exstatic Sounds they plan to utilise this warehouse / studio space with an impressive show from none other than two innovative German producers, Robag Wruhme and Move D.

“We love proper music and for that reason we have invited Robag Wruhme & Move D to play extended 3 hour set’s at our next warehouse party”, they explain. It has to be said that such a line-up is quite a treat, not only for the fact that they haven’t been seen listed for the same event before, but also for each of their notoriety and productions.
Robag Wruhme is a prolific, beloved member of the German house and techno community, Jena-based DJ and producer Gabor Schablitzki has clocked up an impressive discography since the late ’90s with eclectic outings fusing house, wobbling melodies, rolling techno and even hip hop on Musik Krause, Vakant, Freude Am Tanzen, Kompakt and his latest long player “Thora Vukk” on DJ Koze‘s esteemed Pampa imprint. The album won glowing reviews and placed him firmly back on the map following the break up of Schablitski’s project, the Wighnomy Brothers, with Soren Bodner. The past twelve months has seen Robag release EP’s on Musik Krause and Pampa, where he filled a full EP’s worth of remixes of cuts from Dntel’s wonderful Aimlessness album.

David Moufang’s records with partner Jonas Grossmann as Deep Space Network and his own solo releases as Move D are among the furthest outreaches of techno’s push towards the stars. Moufang grew up in Heidelberg listening to his parents’ collection of early Pink Floyd and Kraftwerk records, an influence that can easily be found in both his productions and DJ sets. Such sets have earned him impressive notoriety and landed him set at many renowned venues such as Berlin’s Panoramabar, Watergate and Cookies, as well as Robert Johnson, Rex Club and many more.

WIN TICKETS
Guerilla Sounds has one pair of tickets to give away to a lucky winner and their friend to soak up the impressive performance by Robag Wruhme and Move D. To be in with a chance of winning these tickets, click through to our Facebook Page, find the relevant artwork and simply share it on your wall and Guerilla Sounds will choose one person at random to win the tickets. All sharing must take place before 12:00 GMT on Friday 01 March, when the winner will be announced. All entries are subject to Guerilla Sounds’ discretion.
*Please make sure that when sharing the post, its settings are set to public view. Otherwise we will not be able to see that you have shared and therefore unable to consider you as a possible winner*

Exstatic Sounds
TBA, London
30.03.2013
10:00 – 06:00

Exstatic Sounds | Tickets | Event |

Circus London keeping it hot…

The second instalment of Circus‘ capital frolics in 2013 sees them whip up another triple pronged line-up of exciting talent. As ever the focus is on the most vibrant and exciting names in modern house and techno, all headed up by the man that defines Circus, the indomitable Yousef. It marks the culmination of twelve months in the capital for the clubnight, part of Egg London’s continued spearhead as one of the most exciting venues in the UK.

Yousef’s 2013 has begun in much the same fashion that 2012 ended, a relentless buzz of effervescent electronica. With his “Beg” release entering the year as one of the biggest sellers across any genre, Yousef has continued consolidating his status as one of the most important figureheads within the electronic scene. A tour of the US and Columbia ushered the year in whilst Circus Recordings announced exciting plans of a cluster of forward thinking music; further proof of Yousef’s role as a pivotal force in unearthing new talent.

That role is illustrated perfectly in the shape of the guests for this party. Hot Since 82, the remixer which enabled “Beg” to reach its lofty status, is next in line and a name that is quickly garnering widespread acclaim. Another product of Leeds’ unerring ability to create house music heroes, his sound is the perfect juxtaposition of deep house and the classic jack of yesteryear. He’s found the support of Pete Tong, Jamie Jones, Seth Troxler, Jaymo & Andy George and Joris Voorn, as well as gigs at Ushuaia, Snowbombing and Watergate all coming his way, proof of a man rising to the very top of the game.

The next name comes in the shape of another producer who set the world alight last year, Pirupa. The Italian firebrand delivered one of the most popular tracks of the summer in 2012, “Party Non Stop”, a volatile slab of hip-house that never relented on its endearing energy. Caned to death by an astonishingly versatile selection of DJs including Carl Cox, Marco Carola, Steve Lawler and even Paul van Dyk, it followed on from a whirlwind few years which has also seen “Sweet Devil” and “Get Funky” fervently supported.

His DJing ability is as energetic and funky as the productions which have seen his star rise; all ensuring his Egg London performance will be one of the early pace-setters in the capital’s nightlife this year. The second and third rooms will as ever be manned by a strong selection of Egg London’s friends and residents.

Circus London
Egg, 200 York Way, London
22.02.2013
22:00 – 07:00

Egg | Tickets |

Deep House Chicago Legend in London…

Deep house legend Ron Trent comes to London in February as Need2Soul presents an all-night set from the Chicago favourite. Playing his first UK show since April 2012, Ron Trent comes to London to play a seven-hour set to remember. A perennial presence in music since the early 1990s, Chicago’s Ron Trent pulls no punches!

The co-founder, alongside Chez Damier of Prescription Records, is widely considered to be one of the most influential names in the Chicago house scene, and the label is known for issuing superbly produced, often epic dance music by drawing influences from all over the world and delighting clubbers, as well as DJs with its highly unique sound. His sets tick all the deep house boxes, with elements of soul, funk and world music threaded seamlessly throughout. Ron Trent’s musical quest for knowledge and tones ensure he is always evolving as a producer and a DJ.

London promoter Alex Ruello’s Need2Soul party has been doing its own thing since 2004. Dedicated purveyors of raw house, disco, techno, jazz, soul and more, Need2Soul has an uncompromising and underground, music-first approach that was at first inspired by legendary New York Sunday party Body & SOUL, and has since produced unforgettable deep house parties. Need2Soul is about great parties, stunning venues and grooving dancefloors – get involved on Saturday 09 February, as Ron Trent holds his own. Coming to an intimate 350 capacity studio venue soon to be announced, this spotlight event puts Need2Soul firmly on the 2013 ‘To Do’ list for quality underground house-hungry clubbers who like to go all night long!

Need2Soul
London Warehouse TBA
09.02.2013
21:00 – 04:00

Tickets | Facebook

X Project showcases Suara…

X Project returns with Techno’s most exciting label, Suara down to showcase some of their finest label talents. Suara head honcho and Spanish techno legend Coyu steps to the plate to lead the Suara showcase alongside label regulars and Techno heavyweights, Pig & Dan, who have been shaking up dance-floors with their DJ sets as well as production releases on renowned labels such as Cocoon.

Switching things up in Room 2 X Project has opted for one of the UK’s hottest deep house names rising through the scene, WildKats. Having regularly featured on heavyweight labels such as Hot Creations, Off Recordings and Get Physical this year these guys have also built up a formidable reputation for their explosive DJ sets. They will be joined by Matt Fear, the man behind one of Mexa Records’ hottest releases, “That Girl”, which has been rocking dance-floors across the globe for the past year before even being released.

In addition, Room 2 will be blessed with the deep and dirty sounds of Kolo & Dyze, a duo that has been gyrating dance-floors across London, submerging underground parties with their inspiring sound. With elements of dub, garage and down right dirtiness being injected into their deep house sets, they are the perfect compliment to the Room 2 line-up.

Tickets | Facebook Event |

Laurent Garnier’s last LBS Project in London…

Circus moves towards the end of 2012 with another epic showcase lined up for its London residency at Egg. The year has already seen the likes of Sascha Dive, Riva Starr, Guy J and Dinky join Yousef down in the capital’s resurgent rave enclave, but this gig sees arguably the most anticipated and special of the lot so far. A certain Gallic troubadour is incoming…

Headlining will be a historic and monumental turn from Laurent Garnier and his LBS project. Few guests manage to get the full scope of what Circus is about, but Laurent certainly has. He first graced the club back in 2004 and his eclectic approach has been fully representative of the stylistic shifts and turns Circus has been a part of across house and techno over the years. That first gig saw him do an impromptu Kurt Cobain tribute on the ten year anniversary of his death, and since then he has blessed Circus with a glut of far ranging and fully panoramic offerings. And now they are bringing him to London.

It will also be the final ever London performance of his LBS project that has re-defined the concept of merging improvised live performance and DJing, being a revelation since its inception. Garnier believes only in moving forward, and after a stellar couple of years the project will be moved aside for his latest delve into musical ingenuity. This will be the final showcase the project ever delivers in London and marks a breathtaking year for Circus in the capital.

Support will of course come from Yousef, who’s 2012 continues to yield stronger results both behind the booth and the boards. “A Product Of Your Environment”, Yousef’s full length second album, has seen a rapturous response across both the media and the DJing world and comes allayed with a sterling touring schedule that has seen frequent action on five continents this year. Circus recordings starlets Acid Mondays also swing by to showcase their effervescent take on house and techno.

Circus
Egg, 200 York Way, London
30.11.2012
22:00 – 08:00

Circus | Tickets | RA | Egg |

Rising beyond the rave with a line-up fit for the dead, undead and even those alive…

Continuing to build on their vision for a Deep house & Techno party X Project are proud of their Halloween line-up. Timo Maas is a DJ whose name rings out from staircase to stage and we, like you cannot wait to hear what tricks or treats he has for this event.
The German legend returned in 2008 with the subliminal techno trip of Subtellite – a record on the world’s foremost techno imprint, Cocoon, which boldly stated that he was casting aside the big league commercial identity that he had so successfully – and more importantly credibly – lived under for the best part of the Noughties. The Maasmeister was back with his first club record in 6 years, and it was pretty damn clear that he meant business.

The business in question was more or less that of getting back to his underground roots, but as always combined with his usual forward-thinking, innovative approach. Finding a musical soulmate in Italian production wiz Santos has been one of his key developments in returning to the fore, and the synergy that the duo exude in their joint Mutant Clan productions and the running of their acclaimed Rockets & Ponies label cannot be understated. “It’s been very important for me” underlines Timo. “After searching for a long while for somebody who understands my musical vision and also has the ability to change the ideas in tracks and songs… to meet him was and is the best. I never had a better possibility to express my ideas than right now with him”. Alongside their own twisted, boundary-less techno vibes, the label plays host to their favourite rising talents – from Adam Port and Tiefschwarz co-producer Santé’s huge summer anthem “Own” (chosen by Radio 1 as one of their Ibiza Weekend highlights) to the ever-impressive output of Alex Dolby, they’ve spent over a year carefully selecting the finest producers to work alongside them. It’s electronic music without rules and convention – or if you ask Timo for a description: “be careful… it’s quiet twisted stuff”

Mark Jenkyns’ ability to work a consummate mix of warm, deep house infused with a ghetto-funk danceability has already captured the attention of an enviable mix of top DJs and fans alike. Mark has enjoyed a series of well received releases on Hot Creations and Hot Waves in addition to a string of performances alongside the labels’ finest talents. Following appearances on the first two Hot Waves releases with “Super Star” and “Wondering” Alex Arnout’s Dogmatik imprint has also signed Mark up for an EP of his own too, scheduling a release for the end of summer. An in demand remixer, Mark has also turned his hand to an impressive interpretation of Dean Riggs & Dos Santos’ “Ordinary Things” in addition to a host of other requests for his mixing skills.

X Project
Egg, 200 York Way, Kings Cross, London
23:00 – 08:00
02.11.2012

Tickets | Facebook |

Fabric may be on the verge of Puberty, but the club matured long ago…

Photos: Mark Oxley, Angelo Palombini

On the weekend of 19th October 2012, fabric officially turns thirteen. Rather than shying away from the fact that there are certain triskaidekaphobic people out there who go the extra mile to avoid anything that involves the number that’s one more than a dozen; they’re celebrating the fact that they’ve officially entered puberty, by programming a suitably special line up for the Friday and by opening the doors for another 32 hour marathon on the Saturday to house sets from residents Craig Richards and Terry Francis alongside a slew of impeccable special guests, many of whom will be playing multiple or extended sets.

“We realise we’re in something of a minority in looking forward to our thirteenth anniversary but there’s no real concrete proof where the superstition arose around 13′s defamatory level of unexplained unluck”, comments Fabric.

Continue reading “Fabric is 13” »