EarPIPE

May Day! May Day! Long Weekend!! – Eastern Electrics, Minus, Secretsundaze, Fabric and more…..

Tuesday, April 27th, 2010 | Event Preview | No Comments

Well we’re on the verge of another momentous bank holiday weekend where the usual rule book goes out the window and things are pushed that extra mile. Once again, Friday and Saturday are looking alright, but those promoters have decided to pack in all the exciting stuff on the Sunday… Here are our picks…

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Tags: Alex Jones, Allez Allez, Ambivalent, Andre Galluzi, Barem, Ben Watt, Black Lotus Karate Club, BLOC, Bocking Street Warehouse, Buzzin Fly, CAMP, Carl Craig, Charles Webster, DFA, Dinky, Disco Bloodbath, DJ Food, DJ sneak, Donnacha Costello, East Village, Eastern Electrics, Ellen Allien, Fabric, Gaiser, Heroes and Villains, Horse Meat Disco, Hybrid Life, INXEC, It’s a Fine Line, ivan smagghe, Joy Orbison, Juan Maclean, Konrad Black, Kyle Hall, Leftroom, Magda, Magic and Medicine, Matt Tolfrey, Maurice Fulton, Ministry, Ministry of Sound, Minus, Mn to That, Mulletover, Norman Jay, Omar S, On & On & On..., Paul Louth, Plastic People, Prologue, Reboot, Richie Hawtin, Sasha, Secretsundaze, Seth Troxler, Shackleton, Stacey Pullen, Still Going, Tim Paris, Trus'me, Wagon Repair, Will Saul

Bank Holiday Antics at Hi Tek Soul and Eastern Electrics

Tuesday, September 2nd, 2008 | Event Reviews | No Comments

It’s been such a struggle to get back to normal after the bank holiday weekend. There is just something about having an extra day of weekend and a day less off work which tips me off the careful edge of balance between recovery and debauchery. But why moan about such trivial things when the renowned August bank holiday was exceptionally fun this year.

A civilised delayed start to the weekend took place this year for EarPipe. Rather than listen to one hour Tenaglia sets in deepest darkest Clapham, EarPipe decided to start the weekend on Saturday night in fine fashion at Hi Tek Soul, who happened to host the most Detroitiest Detroit line-up a none Detroit person would have seen outside of Detroit this year. Taking place at the ritzy glitzy Ministry of Sound for the third or maybe fourth time this year, the punters had the delectable selection of DJ Rolando, Stacey Pullen, Ken Ishi and of course Derrick May. Also, let’s not forget Jim Masters, who does such a sterling effort warming up or closing down for all these techno heavyweights.

From midnight onwards there was no hanging about with DJ Rolando. He just jumped feet first into a deep techno puddle, splashing all those around with relentless beats and bass. Like a kid with wellies on, he just splashed about care free dropping everything from upfront tracks to classic UR. A clichéd but perfectly apt moment was the dropping of Rolando’s own seminal classic Knights of the Jaguar, possibly my favourite EDM track of all time.

Out back in the bar, the versatile Stacey Pullen was teaching the kids about house music. Digging out some Chicago and Detroit beats, he did what he does best, effortlessly gliding between the slower end of techno and the Chicago side of house; such a talented DJ that seems to consistently deliver.

Derrick May was on deck duties from 4am onwards. By this point it starts to become a blur. All I know is that Derrick continued along the heavy foundations laid down by Rolando, momentarily stepping out for moments of funk rhythms. A solid set from the Detroiter, however I guess the combination of Clapham Park dancing in the day and the late set time meant much of the crowd had begun to thin halfway through his set. Unfortunately when that happens at Ministry the atmosphere of the Box room just gets sucked right out, leaving the night to slowly wind down to its 7am finish.

Despite that, Hi Tek Soul still remains the only thing worth going to Minstry for. Well that and when Secretsundaze takes over the courtyard.

As for the Sunday, the antics were supposed to be of a carnival nature. Plans for some Good Times and a bit of Panza were hampered by the increased police presence. No we didn’t get arrested for inter-gang warfare; it was only the conservative denial of entry to the Middle Row streets due to Carnival being a bit too busy. Who woulda thought? So the day was spent sitting in front of the job centre drinking cans of G&T whilst eating curried goat as busy Carnival people bustled around. It’s a glamorous life.

Tearing myself from the streets of Nottinghill, I venture south to Southwark where Mulletover, Disco Bloodbath and Resident Advisor have all joined forces to entertain the masses in a car park for the Eastern Electrics event. Being too ginned up there was a major failure in making it down for Raresh’s outdoor set. We did however make it down in time for Geddes who is consistently good right now. Every set EarPipe hears from the man is perfectly set for the crowd and venue. Sunday was no exception. He was precariously edging towards techno but nicely keeping those beats caged up; occasionally letting them take a swipe at the crowd.

Over in the Resident Advisor room Will Saul and Gerd Jansen were warming the second large railway arch as more destitute clubbers filed in from Secretsundaze. Still feeling the buzz from Carl Craig’s set the crowd were more than welcoming to Will and Gerd’s assortment of electronic sounds. Whilst in the Disco Bloodbath room which had taken over from Mulletover, Maurice Fulton was pumping out the disco. This was the first time EarPipe had ever heard or seen of Maurice, but on first impressions we decided this guy definitely knew how to spin disco. It wasn’t just Disco though; he’d often wonder off road and pick up some delectable acid house fruits to add an extra dimension to his set, truly a great DJ who probably stole the night for us. If you get the chance, definitely catch this guy.

Meanwhile Cassy was taking command of the RA room. I always expect her to play her restrained hypnotic loops which are so familiar on all her productions. But the two times we’ve caught her she has just gone fully for it. Long hypnotic minimal loops probably wouldn’t have been appropriate for a large cavernous room with a bunch of people that had been out all day. Gauging it right she drops some great techno and house dropping tracks from SIS and Johnny D and thus proving why she is so revered on the Berlin scene.

Appleblim had the tough job of following Cassy. After hearing Appleblim’s acclaimed RA podcast it was going to be touch and go whether their dub techno come dubstep sounds would be invigorating enough to keep the bank holiday crowd alive. Unfortunately the dark and moody sounds just didn’t suit for that time in the morning. Which is a shame as we could see what they were trying to do but when you’re up against tired legs they just didn’t stand much of a chance.

For their first outing, we must say Eastern Electrics was a hit. The venue was superb coupled with a great crowd and atmosphere, lets hope they get more gigs going there.

Tags: Carnival, Cassy, Derrick May, DJ Rolando, Eastern Electrics, Geddes, Gerd Jansen, Hi Tek Soul, Ken Ishii, Maurice Fulton, Ministry, Ministry of Sound, Southwark, Stacey Pullen, Will Saul