Electronica/Dance

[Kaboom Boxer]

4 hours ago, Talcroft said:

Already posted in the E&D Whatsapp group but will share my gig review of Kieran here too for posterity...

I think someone (maybe Benny?) is already campaigning to bring back longer sets and this was an absolutely perfect example of why. I missed the first two hours but what I saw was a 6 hour masterclass that was perfectly crafted and had the crowd eating out of the palm of his hands. Was worried he'd go either too techno (last time I saw him at WHP in 2022 this was the case for me), too grime (I'm too old, white and middle class to know what to do with myself) or too gimmicky (we're over the Taylor remix) but it was the absolute perfect balance while keeping the classic Kieran sound. 

By 11pm the ket zombies were creeping out and yet he read it spot on, mixed it up and chucked in the dnb portion, without losing the thread. No-one lost interest at any point. 

Highlights were Neyo - So Sick remix (look right my music taste has been a journey, we were all 17 once), Burial - Street Halo, Opus (I cried), wingdings - I've got feelings, KH - Only Human, but honestly in 6 hours there was too much good to remember it all. 

 

Beautiful crowd, feels a bit vulnerable being solo and sober for that length of time (props to @Kaboom Boxer for offering to meet, was nice to know I had the option) but bumped into another E&Der briefly and was great to say hello (Jim, I dunno your username, sorry!). Rest of the crowd were a real mix, definitely a handful of underage kids in that I've not seen before but they were just having a good time, mix of ages so I didn't feel too old, everyone vibing. Chatter as can be expected but everyone danced the whole time front to back. Didn't see any dickheadery (although I pretty much stuck in two spots back right and front left all night). 

 

Haven't done a concourse only set before and I LOVED that setup - felt like the old Store Street, less general f*ckery of people wandering about aimlessly and missing the music when they have fewer options. I hadn't really clocked that at Depot before but I'd definitely like to see more of those shows there throughout the year. Bar was well-staffed, no queues, enough toilets, and - gasp - actual soap and water for handwashing. I don't know what this brand of clubbing is but as someone in their mid 30s I'm all for it. 

 

Only slight criticism is the sound... Was better when I trotted round to the front but overall there was too much emphasis on the bass. I felt the vibrations go up my nose three times. Tinnitus is roaring today despite having my loops in the whole time. They could have pulled back on that a little without losing anything in the crowd cos it sounded even worse at the back. I don't know anything about sound engineering but surely it's possible? 

 

Overall 8/10 - would've been a 9.5 if mates had made it and I'd indulged. 

 

I dunno where you put him at Glastonbury now. I worry that if Fred is headlining he'll just get a shoe-in as a special guest there and that'll be all, because any smaller shorter sets people will just turn up at on the off chance Fred and Sonny turn up. Having seen the longer sets now too, he just can't do himself justice any more in the shorter slots, he's too prolific at this point. Does Glasto ever do all night long sets? He'd be perfect for one on Levels/iicon/genosys, but it would deprive a lot of other artists of opportunities, so I dunno if it would happen. 

 

Anyway. Kieran forever ❤️

Sorry the stars didn’t align. I was on my way to back right to find you when I bumped into my group. By the time the initial excitement of finding them had worn off my stuff had kicked in and I worried I might border on irritating with you being sober. 
 

We ended up on the platform to the back right for most of the night, although I ended up getting distracted by the music on my way back from the toilets at one point and spent half an hour or so on the main floor with a crowd I’d met earlier that night. 

 

I had a fantastic night and would agree with your review. The longer set really let him spread his wings and build a journey. I would give it a 9/10. 

 

I’d also make you right on the sound. It’s my third WHP of the season and the first time I’ve had ringing in my ears the following morning. 

I enjoyed the Concourse only setup. I sometimes find myself distracted by what I’m missing in other rooms and end up wandering. This let me focus and settle more. Ewan McVicar is doing a Concourse only set on Dec 20th which I’ve nabbed a couple tickets for so should be a similar setup. Looking forward to it. 
 

[Kaboom Boxer]

5 hours ago, Talcroft said:

Already posted in the E&D Whatsapp group

Would you mind adding me when you get a chance?

[Talcroft]

2 hours ago, Kaboom Boxer said:

Sorry the stars didn’t align. I was on my way to back right to find you when I bumped into my group. By the time the initial excitement of finding them had worn off my stuff had kicked in and I worried I might border on irritating with you being sober. 
 

We ended up on the platform to the back right for most of the night, although I ended up getting distracted by the music on my way back from the toilets at one point and spent half an hour or so on the main floor with a crowd I’d met earlier that night. 

 

 

 

Absolutely no bother at all dude, I was absolutely fine and loved every second regardless, glad you had a good night! 

 

Doesn't look like I have the power to add to the WhatsApp group but I've asked the group 👍

[robahht]

I’m also going to the Four Tet drumsheds in a few weeks, my third go and they seem to improve it each time. 
 

I had a quick question, I’ve booked to see Daniel Avery all night long in Fabric next month too, my first time going! I’ve read some absolute horror stories online about searches and security when in, even if you’ve just had a few drinks… it can’t be that bad surely? Weighing up whether to risk my chances or not. 
 

Is anyone going to the Floating Points nights in January at Outernet in London? Wasn’t a fan of the venue when I went a few years ago but snagged Wednesday tickets.

[Supernintendo Chalmers]

1 hour ago, robahht said:

Is anyone going to the Floating Points nights in January at Outernet in London? Wasn’t a fan of the venue when I went a few years ago but snagged Wednesday tickets.

 

I tried for London tickets the other night but they seemed to be sold out, so I pocketed one for Manchester instead. Victoria Warehouse. It gets a lot of hate, but I don't mind it that much. There are worse venues.

 

The new album is fantastic.

[robahht]

2 hours ago, Supernintendo Chalmers said:

 

I tried for London tickets the other night but they seemed to be sold out, so I pocketed one for Manchester instead. Victoria Warehouse. It gets a lot of hate, but I don't mind it that much. There are worse venues.

 

The new album is fantastic.

 

Agreed - the new album blew me away. Should be a special night! Comparative bargain too compared to other gigs at the minute.

[Talcroft]

29 minutes ago, robahht said:

 

Agreed - the new album blew me away. Should be a special night! Comparative bargain too compared to other gigs at the minute.

It's so refreshing - Four Tet on Sat was about £20 I think. FloPo was 30. Great value. 

 

@Supernintendo Chalmers Victoria Warehouse deserves all the hate it gets, useless venue imo, but didn't stop me nabbing a ticket. See you there! 

[gordong]

I’ve got two spares for Four Tet Curates at Drumsheds on 2nd November. 
 

Current release is £48.95 including fees. 
 
Happy to sell both of them for £70. DM if interested! 

[Semprini]

Just about recovered from a pretty mad few days in Amsterdam for ADE so thought I'd share some of our experiences - apologies for the length of the post but wanted to do it justice!

I've been over there loads of times in the past but it was actually 2012, also for ADE, when I last spent a full weekend there. Mentioned a few pages back it was an 18th birthday present for my son so was great to spend it with him and my brother (who's not a massive clubber and had never been to Dam before but was well up for a big weekend!).

Arrived on Friday afternoon and after dropping off our bags at the hotel we headed straight to the Gashouder for Awakenings Upclose with Four Tet. I've been to the festival before but never the 'Temple of Techno' so was a big tick off the bucket list. The venue was amazing and the fabled production did not disappoint at all. I've seen Four Tet a few times before and always enjoyed his sets but I wasn't too impressed this time. Didn't feel there was a lot of flow to it but the atmosphere was great and I'm glad we went.

Headed back to hotel to meet up with some Dutch friends and then tried to sort out tickets for Dave Clark presents at the Melkweg. Should have just got them earlier in the day when we were waiting to fly over but didn't and it was the main regret of the weekend. We did go to Audio Obscura with Maceo Plex at the Raw Factory and it was a decent night. Saw him at Drumsheds back in March and this was quite a similar set, leaning heavily on his album. They only used the garage section of the venue and the roof was really low - felt sorry for some of the tall Dutch people who were having to duck to avoid the trussing and lights! We hit the wall just after 3am and then had to walk back to the hotel as it was the quickest option. Public transport in Amsterdam is great but most of it stops around 1am so you're then relying on buses that aren't too frequent.

Got into the centre around midday on Saturday and headed over to the docks for the PIV boat party. Had never done one before and, while we had a really good time, I'm not sure I'd be in a massive hurry to do one again. We got on at 3pm and it didn't dock until 9 but we'd probably had enough by 7 or 8. The shear scale of ADE and number of events does often leave you wondering if there's something better going on elsewhere but you have to make your choices and largely stick with them (especially on a boat!!). Tried to get into the Cassius Club party afterwards but it was members and guests only so a non-starter really. Debated whether to head to Parallel with Anz but she wasn't on until 2.30am, and the skeleton transport links would have made it at least an hour journey home, so we made the sensible decision to go back around 1.

Early start on Sunday for my lad and me (brother went home at lunchtime) as we had to check out of hotel and drop our bags in the lockers at Central station. Then headed over to Radion for The Breakfast Club which was the one I was most looking forward to over the whole weekend. Arrived just before 11am and managed to get some of the free breakfast that was included! The venue was great (only 'proper' club we went to) and split over 2 rooms of music and a chill out space, as well as an outside/smoking area. My 'must see' of the trip was Avalon Emerson and she played a 4 hour set from 10am. We got a lovely little space to the side of the booth just after 11 and didn't move from there until she finished. Everything was spot on - the sound and lights, the friendly, up for it crowd and of course the music which was magical! She moved effortlessly from one amazing track to the next while never losing the attention of the crowd for a moment. It was a complete masterclass and one of the best clubbing experiences I've ever had, let alone over the weekend!

Was very surreal coming outside when she finished into the bright afternoon sunshine as it could have been any time of the day or night when we were inside on the dancefloor. Headed to Leidseplein on a massive high as we had tickets for Speedy J presents Stoor at the Paradiso. The set up is quite impressive - all 5 performers had their gear in the centre of the room with the crowd all around - and after an hour of ambient noise they came on just after 5pm. The first 75 mins was essentially a build up but things really went off once the first 4/4 beat was introduced. It was difficult to say who was doing what a lot of the time but the crowd were really up for it and we got a lovely spot sitting on the balcony with a view of the whole place. 

Our plane home was supposed to be later that evening but long story short, it got cancelled. We had to stay the night but was all sorted too late to do much else so we quickly dipped into the Soul Clap Records and friends party. Was in a small bar that was very busy so we didn't end up staying too long.

Would definitely recommend it for anyone who's even remotely into clubbing and dance music as there's nothing else that's on par with ADE really. It's not cheap once you factor everything in but it's well worth it imo. We've already reserved a lovely little house boat near CS for next year and planning to go from Thursday to Monday. Should also get some decent compensation for the cancelled flights so travel will be covered as well!