Reviews 2012

Their last proper event may have been almost a year ago, but the return of Naïve encouraged an enthusiastic response. Without going over-the-top on PR, they could perhaps have relied on the strength of last week's line up to do the talking. On point headliners, much loved locals and even surprise performances – it’s the same with all Naive events, their own personality is of course prevalent, yet the ability to recognise what their faithful following want, then offer it up in a truly distinct style never disappoints.

Ever since its announcement, the anticipation surrounding Skream’s arrival in Glasgow was palpable. Strengthened by a support line up which included the likes of Hot Flush head-honcho Scuba, the ridiculous talent of Oneman and Glasgow’s own Jackmaster, this had all the hallmarks of one of the biggest nights of the year.

Hype. In the world of promotion it’s a bit of a catch 22. If there’s no buzz surrounding an event then it can often be overlooked. Alternatively, hype-overload can lead to the onset of an irrational, sheep-like mentality where after one glance at the ‘going’ list on Facebook, you realise that half of Glasgow is attending. Undoubtedly Africa Express, the brain child of legendary Blur front man and Gorillaz mastermind, Damon Albarn was bound to generate a lot of hype.

Saturday night saw Todd Terje descend upon the Sub Club for the second time in less than a year and the anticipation surrounding his return was palpable. By 11pm the queue stretched far down Jamaica Street and the club hit capacity well before midnight.

It would perhaps be too much to ask for at least one cloudless day this summer, especially when hundreds of jovial clubbers were set to embark on an evening cruise down the Clyde. But although the weather may be notoriously damp in Glasgow, it is at least predictable. With an ominous sky overhead, a crack of thunder and a howling wind, we arrived at the Science Centre to join the crowd of waiting passengers ready to board Slam and Harri’s highly anticipated Atlantis boat party.

If you were on the hunt for a quality night last Friday, 22 Jamaica Street was the only place to be. Joining forces with Deadly Rhythm, the Subclub proved to be the hottest ticket in town as one of Glasgow's most popular collectives hooked up with Kode9’s Hyperdub label for a full-scale takeover.

It’s been a full seven years since Killer Kitsch, Glasgow’s longest running midweeker launched at the Buff Club. Promoting an accessible music policy bolstered by an on-point foundation, the guys were some of the early few to offer a student alternative where punters could expect to hear the hottest new club music mixed in with certified classics and the odd inoffensive chart-topper. Now, with fresh competition and more choice available, we decided to see if Killer Kitsch still had that distinctive edge which originally made it so appealing.

There’s been no escaping the hype surrounding TNGHT this summer. From that mind-blowing performance at SXSW to guest mixes for Diplo and glimpses of riotous scenes at Village Underground, Hudson Mohawke and Lunice launched their debut EP this week amid ferocious expectation. And quite rightly so - it was fairly obvious from the various youtube rips and teasers that they were always going to deliver, but it wasn’t until hearing the EP in it’s entirety that we fully understood just what the duo were capable of.

We suspect there may have been some anxiety surrounding Mixed Bizness’ final event. Summing up almost nine years of parties in one night was never going to be easy, and certainly the pressure of giving one of Glasgow’s most highly revered club brands the send off it truly deserved must have been quite significant. But with a turnout that reflected their quite justified popularity, a line up which represented the very essence of what they tirelessly promoted, and an atmosphere which overflowed with an impossibly positive energy, The Last Dance was one which is unlikely to ever be forgotten.

Despite what can only be described as a tropical storm during the day, the excitement for Optimo and Melting Pot’s annual boat party was still very much electric. A definitive highlight of the summer, and a golden opportunity to party on arguably the world’s most famous paddle-steamer, the Riverboat Shuffle was going to be popular whatever the weather.

With a solid year of events behind them it’s common knowledge that the Subrosa boys know how to throw a party, and this week’s b2b session at the Sub Club was definitely something special. Armed with residents Ray Vose, Max Spittal and Junior G, and with on-point bookings ranging from Deadly Rhythm to Optimo legend, JD Twitch, Subrosa likes to mix things up with their themed nights...

The Arches is Glasgow’s biggest clubbing venue, akin to London’s Fabric or Berlin’s Berghain - minus the crazy door policy. Despite having lived in the city for almost a year now I had yet to visit the legendry space. I was also yet to see Felix Da Housecat or Fred Falke live, so all in all I was pretty excited. It seems the rest of Glasgow was too, as by 12pm the door queue was snaking round the block

You wouldn’t think that Ja Rule’s 2001 single ‘Livin It Up’ would resonate with a dancefloor these days – it’s by no means a classic and the ‘Murder Inc’ rapper was always somewhat of a question mark when it came to presenting himself as a credible MC - but with the time nearing 3am and Chambre69’s dancefloor practically spilling over, this unlikely anthem has caused an incredible reaction. Tonight Freaky Freaky are in full effect and with Bamboo Palace, Smiddy and Stubble Trubble behind the decks, the party is truly rocking.

As Lil Silva works in Armand Van Helden’s 1999 classic ‘U Don’t Know Me’ over a tirade of rattling bass, the Sub Club’s dancefloor explodes with an outburst of pure joy - underpinned of course by some heavy-duty skanking. The grin on Silva’s face says it all, turning to the visual director with an expression which is a mixture of satisfaction and disbelief. But then this is perhaps somewhat typical of How’s Your Party? The Mixed Bizness monthly has never taken itself too seriously, and even with London’s Night Slugs in effect there is still an opportunity for a playful moment amid the smoky atmosphere.

As producers Simian Mobile Disco are both classy and tasteful, and that was certainly reflected last night at Optimo. To the crowd’s delight, James Ford and Jas Shaw took it right back to basics with a modern selection of classic House & Techno, providing a fitting finale to a varied and eclectic weekend in Glasgow.

It’s been hard to ignore Auntie Flo over the last few weeks. In-between album launches at Fabric and La Cheetah, the growing popularity of his flagship night Highlife at the Sub Club, various promotional videos and the general chug of the perpetually rolling hype machine, Goan-born Brian D’Souza has no doubt had little time to breathe. Well, now he can relax. Debut extended player/mini album, ‘Future Rhythm Machine’ has dropped, and we’re pleased to report it doesn’t disappoint.

If there was one thing that stayed with those who witnessed the events of last Sunday (which certainly didn’t include their dignity), it would be the ring of BASEDGOD aka Lil B echoing in their ears - along with some extensive bruising thanks to a truly frantic crowd. At barely half past 11 Nice N Sleazy’s was almost at full capacity, yet the hoards kept coming to revel in the launch weekend of Palace – Glasgow’s freshest new events project. On the final evening of the aforementioned launch, Palace had offered a line up that any dedicated party goer would go mad for.

Unlike most other cities, Glasgow has one unique drawback: a strict licensing law which insists on a curfew of 3am. Luckily, for those who aren’t quite ready to hit MacDonald’s or perhaps even their bed, there is an after-hours culture which has risen to cater for the club heads. Most of the venues are pretty well known by now, so when ‘Wake’ announced their latest party at a secret location, there was a lot of speculation as to where it might be held.

It’s hard to believe that this was only Vibes' second party – launching little over a month ago, the House orientated collective have kicked things off with more than just a bang; an ear-drum damaging smash is probably more appropriate. Lured in by the promise of hypnotic beats and a collaboration from the renowned Have A Wonk promoters, Vibes Present…Audiojack was a sure-fire winner from the outset.

There was a definite buzz surrounding his appearance in Glasgow, with presales selling out in record time and punters littering the event page with their favourite tracks and declarations that they were ‘buzzing off their tits’ in excitement. The pressure was on for Zeroten and Levon to deliver, and with a great location, stunning visuals and insane soundsystem, they certainly did not disappoint.

Chambre69 or simply ‘Chambre’ as it’s referred to by the devoted regulars who descend on it each week, has become Glasgow’s new ‘it’ club. While the Sub Club is celebrating its 25 year anniversary (and no doubt looking ahead to 25 years of the same), Chambre recently held its first birthday with its shiny Funktion 1 soundsystem and a rich selection of nights including ‘Ghettotech’ and ‘Balkanarama’.

Jesus who? Sorry messiah, you’ve been upstaged this Easter weekend by an outrageous techno session at Slam‘s 20th Anniversary. You know a night means business when the club is already buzzing before 11pm, and with the crowds heaving half an hour later thanks to one of two sets from the birthday boys, it was obvious we were in for a big one.

Judging by the launch at the start of year, guests at Likwit Fusion number two were undoubtedly in for a treat. Aiming to put on nights that consistently “push the boundaries of concurrent electronic music’, promoters Inkke and Shalla Aeons promised club-goers an eclectic mix of hip-hop, glitch and r’n’b, and they certainly did not disappoint.

Since Freaky Freaky got too big for its boots at Sleazys’, Thursday nights have been somewhat lacking in Glasgow (unless of course you’re a fan of the Hive). So when word got out about new night, ‘Rubix’ at the legendary Sub Club, there was a lot of hype.

Whether it’s an impressive line up, impossible-to-ignore posters or a damn good hype, Vitamins are renowned for offering party-goers a good time. On Saturday night a swarm of ticket holders and chancers descended upon La Cheetah, filling the venue to its brim and forcing many upstairs to the relative oasis of the bar. It seemed this time round, La Cheetah was just a little too intimate for the big boys of Vitamins.

La Cheetah has held claim to some of the finest acts on the electronic scene over the last twelve months; the intimate space provides a unique vibe that I’ve not found anywhere else in Glasgow. Last time the Mixed Bizness crew took over the club alongside Vitamins the crowd nearly ripped the booth apart, needless to say I wasn’t sure quite what to expect when I bopped along last Friday.

Clad in top hat and glittering gold tights, one girl mounts her friend’s shoulders to mass approval. Waifs & Strays are in town tonight and they have just dropped last year’s irresistible feel-good groover, ‘Yeah Yeah’. This is their last tune and the dancefloor has descended into chaos. The lights are up but no one is intending on stopping and as the final notes play out, the atmosphere is jubilant to put it mildly.

Opening its doors for the first time in June 2011 with Subcity residents Theez Boys R Athletes, Club Olympico has played host to a diverse range of Glasgow’s homebred djs and producers. Showcasing sounds from artists like Mungo’s Hi-Fi, Boom Monk Ben, Taz Buckfaster, Animal Farm and Sega Bodega, the bi-weekly club night offers a platform for both older and emerging artists to flaunt their skills.

This is the third attempt from the bouncer to kill the music but Jacques Renault and Justin Miller are having too much fun to care. Bouncing about the booth like Bez on a Happy Mondays reunion tour, the duo have just dropped Todd Terje’s nu-disco anthem, ‘Inspector Norse’ for the third time and the crowd are loving it.