DJ, Promoter or Both???

I’ve noticed a new trend in London recently as I’ve settled in and explored new nights being put on by exciting, up and coming promoters. It seems that the days of simple promotion are gone, and very few nights now seem to be run purely by promoters. Now the majority of the best nights around have been started by DJs, seemingly as an excuse not just to put on artists that they love but to play on the same bill as them also. This isn’t a criticism though, as the majority of these people are talented DJs and frequently get the dancefloor nearly as hyped as their headliners. While it is arguable that this is not exactly a new trend and it harks back to the days of Giles Smith and James Priestly with their “Secret Sundaze” events and beyond. I thought I’d have a look at some of the newer breed though.

First up, Deadly Rhythm. Probably one of the best known of this new breed of promoters, they have been putting nights together for a while now, starting off at the Amersham Arms in New Cross, South-East London, and expanding from there. They now put on about four nights a month on average at venues ranging from the Amersham Arms, The Egg, The Old Blue Last, 333 and more. Furthermore they cover a whole host of genres from the standard electro to Baltimore Breaks, Ghetto-tech (I’m still not entirely sure what this is…),Dubstep, Bassline, fidgit house and more, summing their style up as Big, Booty Bass. Very apt, I feel, as their sets do seem revolve around huge basslines that are hard to resist, topped of with filthy, crunching synths that will keep that “booty” shaking ‘till dawn. Check them out here: 

www.myspace.com/deadlyrhythmclub

Next, we have my favourites Yo Mama.  Moving down from Nottingham at more or less exactly the same time as I finished University there, two Nottingham sensations set up camp in South and East London and brought us Yo Mama.

Grime/bass fanatics Tomb Crew and jackin’ house/ Baltimore aficionados, Fresh Out Of Death Soundsystem (or FOODSoundsystem), good friends from Nottingham, joined forces to create the night of heavy bass, big rhythms, jacked up samples and, er, yo mama jokes that is Yo Mama.

Featuring impressive line ups from the cream the UK has to offer, this is a night that will bring a smile to your face as well as to your feet, plus they let you draw all over the floor in chalk sometimes too!  Don’t let them fool you though, as a night featuring them is likely to be just as big with the notoriety these two groups are racking up. In fact, Tomb Crew have recently returned from a brief tour of the USA. Not bad for a few dance music fans from Nottingham.

Check them at:

www.myspace.com/freshoutofdeathsoundsystem

www.myspace.com/tombcrew

www.myspace.com/yomamaldn

Then there are the newcomers Thick As Thieves, running a night called Voodoo. Kicking off in February they’ve already brought us the likes of Deadly Rhythm, Portasound, Lillica Libertine, Tapedeck, FOOD Soundsystem, Invasion, Ezra Bang and Hot Machine as well as fashion show launches for Style Noir Magazine featuring shows from Charles of London (who clothe The Mighty Boosh).

Not bad for a new night that’s been set up in the middle of the week so far. And they are looking to move to The Last Days Of Decadence (formally Ditch Bar) soon for a monthly weekend residency. This night is achingly fun, like the best house party you’ve ever been to except in a club in Hoxton. And with a MUCH better soundsystem along with some of the freshest electro and house sounds you’ll hear.

Investigate here: 

www.myspace.com/thickasthievesdj 

www.myspace.com/dooyoovoodoo

Lastly, we have a night I’m not quite so familiar with which goes by the name Snap, Crackle and Pop. None the less, I can tell you that it is BIG on house music, featuring everything from straight up house, through electro and on to some serious fidgit stylings. With a residency at The Egg, this is becoming one of THE nights to hit up if you’re a house fan, with the some of the biggest line ups and unpretentious crowds in London. Featuring the cream of house DJs, from the UK’s underground to big name artists, they all come through Snap, Crackle and Pop. Not something to miss out on.

Check it here:

www.myspace.com/clubsnapcrackleandpop

James Hoste