The Winter Social Review

The Winter Social

Three train journeys, half an hour on the tube and a shuttle bus later and Summer Festival Guide has arrived at Kent County Showground.

A mile-long queue waits impatiently outside as they hold on to their tickets for dear life.

On first impression, the venue where we'll spend the next 10 hours looks like somewhere you'd hold a wedding, but on closer inspection and once inside, it's more like an aircraft hanger techno haven. Conveniently laid out, you can pop in and out of The Barn and The Meadow, making tough clashes like Guy Gerber or Steve Lawler and Maya Jane Coles or B Traits just a little bit easier.

The soundsystems in both rooms are as good as any night-time club and the overall aesthetic is pretty minimal.

Stepping outside is the only time you'd know it was still the middle of the day, because once immersed in B Traits' techno set you'd be forgiven for thinking it’s 4 in the morning at Fabric.

The Winter Social - summerfestivalguide - Flickr

The VIP area, as well, is a nice addition, with leather sofas and bar stools to sit at, as well as some surprisingly fresh smelling toilets…  

Eli & Fur opt for their trademark melodic deep house sound, whilst Russ Yallop takes Kent to Paradise with his undeniably infectious wAFF collaboration 'Mike The Swamp' – as one guy gets over excited opening his beer, which ends up sprayed all over the clean floor.

There's not really an age limit, either. If someone's into house and techno music, chances are that they're somewhere among the few thousand in the crowd. 

AME, playing an early afternoon slot, starts his journey of melodic, building techno with plenty of eery vocal-led tracks just as two girls in fluorescent orange vests synchronise the same dance moves.

B Traits, meanwhile, opts for acid, electro and techno in The Barn, dropping some bangers that fill up our Shazam pretty quickly.

The seasoned DJ even dares to be different, throwing in a drum and bass track in her final half hour, before flawlessly mixing it into Barnt's techno thumper 'Chappell' – a track that we'll never get tired of.

The Winter Social - summerfestivalguide - Flickr

Steve Lawler then delivers a standout set full of VIVA Warriors’ tech-house hits, as Eats Everything gets himself psyched up watching on from behind the decks and one guy at the front barrier starts bowing down and goes in for a hug with Bristol's favourite party animal. 

Whilst Eats goes back to back with Yusef in the Barn dropping Basti Grub, Natch! & Dothen’s 'Oh Baby Dance' to get everyone warmed up for their three hour slot, Nina Kraviz delivers a set full of fire – quite literally.

Throughout the faultlessly energetic heavy techno onslaught, flames burst from in front of her as she bounces around behind the decks.

It’s the first time SFG has seen Kraviz play and it certainly won't be the last. Fifteen minutes into her hard-hitting set and she’s already won the day.

Nina Kraviz proves time doesn't wait for techno – it's only 7.30pm but when Josh Wink and Lil Louis' 'How's Your Evening So Far?' drops, it feels like 3am.

A tough act to follow, but Social founder Nic Fanciulli going back to back with Joris Voorn delivers another impressive few hours, leaving Drumcode's Adam Beyer to headline the event – certifying The Social's status as the UK's best indoor house and techno festival, undoubtedly. See you next year! 

The Winter Social - summerfestivalguide - Flickr

 

Carl Cox, Sven Vath, Jamie Jones and more set for We Are FSTVL 2015

Award-winning dance music event We Are FSTVL have announced a staggering100 names for their anticipated 2015 event, ahead of returning to the ‘Field of Dreams’ in Upminster, Essex for the third year running on Saturday 30th & Sunday 31st May 2015. Featuring the likes of Carl Cox, Loco Dice, Pleasure State (live), Hannah Wants, Sven Väth, Jamie Jones, Seth Troxler, Adam Beyer, Ten Walls (live), Dennis Ferrer, Hot Since 82, Jackmaster and many more, We Are FSTVL have curated a line-up that firmly positions itself at the very heart of the international festival circuit and paves the way for their biggest year to date.

Having made a spectacular sell-out debut in 2013, We Are FSTVL has seen a rapid rise in the space of just two years. After doubling in size in their second year following unparalleled levels of demand, We Are FSTVL has since broken through in a massive way and now attracts crowds of over 30,000 from right across the UK. 

Saturday 30th May 
The first to grace the festival’s main stage is dance music mainstay Carl Cox. Taking the reins from the likes of Disclosure and Fatboy Slim, Carl’s debut We Are FSTVL performance will be packed full of Ibiza spirit, whilst Seth Troxler is also set to unleash his universally recognised brand of techno on the Upminster crowd.Grammy nominated producer Nic Fanciulli is set to share his driving strain of house and techno, with the larger than life force of Solomun also set to cause a stir. In-demand producers Gorgon City and Hot Since 82 will also feature, joined by Anglo-American Second City and BBC Radio 1 tastemaker Monki.

Heading up Saturday’s techno Warehouse is Loco Dice’s Used + Abused party, whose thundering brand of techno is sure to kick things off in style. Drumcode head Adam Beyer and Berlin-based duo Tale of Us will be on hand to deliver their atmospheric take on deep house and techno, with special guest Recondite providing a melodic live set of his own. Fuse-boss Enzo Siragusa also make his We Are FSTVL debuts, with Yaya set to round off the day’s proceedings.
 
The ‘What Hannah Wants’ takeover of Saturday’s Big Top Bass stage brings a selection of artists at the heart of the UK’s bustling underground scene. Joining Hannah is iconic DJ and one half of ‘Can U Dance’ Oneman, who’s set to perform alongside PMR signee T Williams and the duo who recently charted at #3 in the UK singles charts with their rework of R Kelly’s ‘Bump & Grind’ – Waze & Odyssey. Black Butter’s My Nu Leng and Kidnap Kid will also be joining ranks, alongside up-and-comers GotSome and the enigmatic Friend Within.
 
Seminal house music label Defected are also to return to Upminster to showcase the latest and greatest names in electronic music. Danish visionary Noir is set to explore the darker edges of electronic music, whilst Berlin native Oliver Dollar will also feature, having stormed the UK charts with ‘Pushing On’ earlier this year. Label upstarts Sonny Fedora and Christoph will each deliver their distinctive twist of techno, disco and italo dynamics and wrapping up the label’s ‘Very Big Top’ arena are Sam Divine and Simon Dunmore – two producers at the heart of the imprint for over two decades.
 
Mark Knight’s newest offering of ‘Toolroom Live’ presents the label’s core artist roster in the festival’s luxury VIP village. After his recent remix of London Grammar’s ‘Sights’ became an Ibiza staple, Dennis Ferrer is set to deliver his iconic brand of tech-house, whilst Dirtybird-affiliate Shiba San and Tensnake both make their We Are FSTVL returns. German duo Tube & Berger are next in line, with the deep house sound of Wanklemut“My Head is a Jungle” also guaranteed to make an impression on the dance floor. Purple Disco Machine will then add a touch of soul to the line-up, which is rounded off by Toolroom residents Dosem and Weiss.  
 
Sunday 31st May  – Main Stage announcement imminent. 
 
Returning to We Are FSTVL for the third year running are crowd favourites Cocoon, whose stage will be spearheaded by the undisputed king of techno Sven Väth.Joining him are Cocoon heroes Ilario Alicante and Ricardo Villalobos, whilst Âmeand Dixon will play an extended back-to-back set – a recent highlight of Fabric’s 15th Birthday weekend. To top this off Ten Walls, credited with producing one of the biggest tracks of the summer in ‘Walking with Elephants’, is also set to perform live.

 
Drum & Bass stalwarts Hospital Records are next to call the shots of We Are FSTVL’s ‘Big Top Bass’ arena. Boasting one of the largest line-ups at the festival, the label will be out in force to showcase the likes of Camo & Crooked, Logistics b2b Nu:Tone, Lynx, Fred V & Grafix and Etherwood. Special guests will also include garage legends DJ EZ & MJ Cole, as well as the joyful Toyboy & Robin, all supported by three of the leading MCs on the circuit; LowquiWrec & Dynamite MC.
 
Bringing his acclaimed club night ‘Paradise’ back to Upminster is Hot Creations head Jamie Jones, who will be supported by label mates Richy AhmedRuss Yallopand WaFF. Prolific DJ and Viva Warriors frontman Steve Lawler will also be accompanied by Mark Jenkyns and rising star Patrick Topping, who’s recent single ‘Voicemail’ has been dominating the Beatport charts. DC10 residentJackmaster is next in line, whose eclectic music taste stretches from techno and house right the way through to classic disco and grime.

 
Back by popular demand is one of house music’s most sought after producers MK, whose ‘Area 10’ heads up Sunday’s VIP village. Joining MK are close friends Lee Foss and Anabel Englund, who will collectively perform as Pleasure State, having recently unveiled their debut release ‘Ghost in the System’. Purp&soul boss Ben Pearce will also feature, joined by up and coming producers andhimKant andShadow Child. A rare father-and-son performance from Kevin Saunderson andDantiez Saunderson will round off proceedings in fitting style.

Steve Lawler, Laura Jones and more set for Eastern Electrics Festival

Eastern Electrics Festival 2014, the UK’s premier underground electronic music event, announces even more names  for Saturday August 2nd for one unforgettable all-day party at Hatfield House. With seven unique stages representing the finest from the UK underground and beyond, Eastern Electrics Festival welcomes Steve Lawler, Laura Jones, Dyed Soundorom, Mano le Tough, Daniel Avery, and Boddika, who join Art Department, Ellen Allien, Kerri Chandler, Route 94, Tania Vulcano and tINI and many more.
 
Eastern Electrics Festival is set to be the party of the summer, bringing together 10,000 revellers with over 30 international acclaimed artists, and the many adventures that can only be found at Eastern Electrics Festival: expect the usual madness in Electric City, with pillow fights, paint fights, make-up, photo booths and much more; The Star of EE Pub is the on-site watering hole; The Switchyard is built entirely out of shipping containers and promises a wild, raw rave experience; the Igloovision dome returns, with state-of-the-art visuals and production.
 
The Eastern Electrics outdoor main stage provides a snapshot of house and techno’s cream, with Art Department bringing their low-slung bass-infused house sound, soulful house luminary Kerri Chandler and house adventurer MaxxiSoundsystem. Revered house and techno DJ and remixer Laura Jones joins, and one of the UK’s most influential house music exports Steve Lawler also appears. Plus there’s one more special guest to be announced.

mulletover in The Switchyard presents BPitch Control head Ellen Allien, mulletover’s very own Geddes, and secretsundaze residents Giles Smith and James Priestley, as well as cosmic disco and modern techno innovator Mano Le Tough, and acclaimed house and techno selector tINI. Spearheading the London underground, Rinse is in attendance with the RC1 Soundsystem welcoming UK bass master Boddika, acclaimed ‘Drone Logic’ producer and Rinse regularDaniel Avery, Swamp 81 head and bass experimentalist Loefah, chart-topping Route 94 and rising star Tom Shorterz to the fold, plus there are more to be announced.

Art of Dark joins the party in The Igloovision dome, with Colin Chiddle, Parisian party starter Dyed SoundoromJack & I, Swiss innovator and Villalobos protegé Sonja Moonear and underground force to be reckoned with TaniaVulcano. Wild times come to the fore at Electric City & Red Bull Studio Stage, with acts for this area soon to be announced. Plus cabaret, live performance and The Electric Boo-Dior, and all the fun of the fair.

And there’s so much more – see the full lineup for details.

 
Eastern Electrics Festival celebrates the very best sounds coming from an electronic music scene that has never been so diverse, exciting or innovative. Born in a warehouse in 2007, Eastern Electrics has grown rapidly into one of the most influential names in UK club culture. Curating a party for 10,000 this summer, Eastern Electrics is a brand that always delivers, and which has broken boundaries in experimental music programming.

Plus, the Eastern Electrics Festival faithful can extend the party with a monster after-party at The Coronet Theatre. More information for that coming soon… Tickets are on sale now, starting at £15.

 
Lineup / Stages (listed alphabetically)
Eastern Electrics Outdoor Main Stage
Art Department * Kerri Chandler * Laura Jones * Maxxi Soundsystem * Steve Lawler

mulletover in The Switchyard
Ellen Allien * Geddes * Giles Smith * James Priestley * Mano Le Tough * tINI

Rinse with the RC1 Soundsystem
Boddika * Daniel Avery * Loefah * Route 94 * Tom Shorterz * more TBA

Art of Dark in The Igloovision
Colin Chiddle * Dyed Soundorom * Jack & I * Sonja Moonear * Tania Vulcano

Electric City & Red Bull Studio Stage
lineup soon to be announced
Plus cabaret, live performance and The Electric Boo-Dior

The Star of EE Pub
Derek Dahlarge * Mr.Normski * Ralph Lawson * Ryan O Gorman
* Shane Watcha * Two and Eight * Waifs and Strays

KUBICLE hosts VIP – Alice on Acidland
Death on the Balcony * Itchy Rich b2b DB * Johnny Hunter *
Remi Mazet (live) * Toni D * plus special surprise guests

Egg London Industry Night

To celebrate Egg London’s newly refurbished club there was only one thing for it, a private knee’s up that was done in style.

Guests of the club were welcomed with champagne on arrival with access to a free bar for the full duration of the press party. With the drinks flowing well and the DJ mixing the tunes, it was a good atmosphere in the newly revamped loft space.

The last 12 months has seen the club expand their dance floor spaces and make grand improvements in sound across the venue. They now boast the installation of the world’s first flipside sound system. The loft space has definitely expanded its dance floor, with emphasis of the more space on the dance floor the more it could be filled up with people looking for a good time.

Just next to the floor was an easy accessible outside space for people to socialise or catch their breath and cool down. Seating around the perimeter of the loft space was positioned in a relaxed style with the lighting also making the venue easy on the eye.

As the loft space started to fill up, it was time for some food as boxes and boxes of freshly made pizza were brought around to all those that needed to line their stomach for the long night ahead. A nice touch and something that was very welcomed by all those attending.

The line-up for the night was one not to be missed. Once the free bar was used to its full potential and the pizza had settled, it was time to wonder downstairs. Yousef’s Circus party was just getting into full swing where also Laurent Garnier and Steve Lawler were both spinning extended sets on the two main floors respectively.

The party would go on throughout the night with the doors shutting at 8am, and the people in attendance knowing they left after having a massive night. A night well played by Egg London, a club that knows how to party in style and look after all those involved.

South West 4 – Tenth Anniversary

Coming off the back of recent headline performances at Timewarp, We Are FSTVL, Ushuaia Ibiza Opening and the IMS Grand Finale, Sven Väth makes his hugely anticipated return to Clapham Common for South West Four’s 10th Anniversary. Such storming sets continue to seal Sven’s legacy as one of the greatest DJs to ever walk the planet. This summer his Cocoon vision will embark on its fourteenth season at Amnesia Ibiza, with guests including Ricardo Villalobos, Richie Hawtin, Loco Dice and Luciano playing across seventeen roadblock events. Sven is a truly iconic figure within the scene and on Sunday 25th August he will be sharing his godly gifts with the more than worthy South West Four crowd. This will be something very special.

Another internationally renowned DJ making their return to SW4 for the 10th Anniversary is Mr VIVa Warrior himself, Steve Lawler. Held in the highest regard by both his peers and his global spread of fans, Steve has held residencies at many of the world’s greatest clubs including Space Ibiza and The End London. He has also released music on highbrow labels such as Cocoon, Souvenir and Drumcode, as well as his own brain child VIVa MUSic. It’s through this imprint, that he has earned a reputation for breaking new talent. With new names to follow in 2013, as well as another 15 weekly parties from June at Sankeys Ibiza, the summer is set to be another stormer for Steve. With this his fourth South West Four performance, we are thrilled to welcome his pounding tribal beats back for another outrageous session of amazing music.

SAT ARTISTS ANNOUNCED: Eddie Halliwell, Paul van Dyk, Paul Oakenfold, Aly & Fila, Andy Moor B2B Lange, W&W, Super8 & Tab, Orjan Nilsen, Simon Patterson, Lee Osborne, Gorgon City, Mark Knight, Solomun, Dennis Ferrer, Fritz Kalkbrenner, Cajmere, Tocadisco, Tensnake, Tristan Ingram, Afrojack, Carl Cox & Loco Dice B2B, Marco Carola, Adam Beyer, Guti [Live], Hector, Carl Craig, Laidback Luke, Gareth Emery, Sunnery James & Ryan Marciano, Sander Van Doorn, Armin Van Buuren (UK Festival Exclusive Performance)…

SUN ARTISTS ANNOUNCED: Sven Vath, Steve Lawler, James Zabiela, Scuba, Blond:ish, Blackhall & Bookless, Jesse James & Johnny Bloomfield, Steve Aoki, Erick Morillo, Soul II Soul, Benji B & Deviation Strings, Crazy P [Live], Friction & Friends, Rustie, Bondax, RL Grime, Kove, Knife Party, Groove Armada, Totally Enormous Extinct Dinosaurs, Pete Tong, The 2 Bears, Dusky, Eric Prydz, Boys Noize [Live], Laurent Garnier, John Digweed, Tim Green [Debut Live Show], Example, Andy C, Dillon Francis, Flosstradamus, Todd Edwards & EZ B2B, Dismantle & Roska B2B, Nicky Romero, Baauer…

 

VENUE: Clapham Common, London

DATES:  Saturday 24th & Sunday 25th August 2013

TICKETS: www.ticketmaster.co.uk/sw4