MATINEE SUPERBOWL @ COLLESEUM & MATINEE PRE-PARTY AT BARCODE VAUXHALL – SUNDAY 24TH AUGUST
REVIEW FOR SEENQUEEN
Having missed out on much of the bank holiday offerings, we were definitely not going to forgo a visit to what can only be described as our favourite club outing of the moment, the Spanish brand extraordinaire having made itself right at home in the heart of the London gay clubbing scene, due in no part to the brilliance and hard work of Oliver Mohns, Logan Schmitt & The Evolved Events team.
As an added bonus, Matinee London have teamed up with Barcode, throwing a superb pre-party at their Vauxhall venue, this proving a perfect launch pad for the full blown affair at the much loved superclub, Colleseum, the new home of Matinee London following chequered fortunes at Fabric in Farringdon.
So, wishing to take full advantage of the Matinee experience, we arrived at a packed Barcode Vauxhall just before 11 p.m. for the pre-party and were greeted on the door by the ever welcoming Emilio, who waved us past the crowd of hopefuls looking to get a piece of the action inside. The front bar was brimming full with a mix of Barcode regulars rubbing shoulders with Matinee clubbing enthusiasts, we bumping into familiar faces, one after the other, as we headed for the bar and refreshments. Even our Industri pals were there and we soon indulged in chat & catch up.
Having planned to meet up with our newly found friend, Kieran, who was yet to succumb to the delights of a Matinee night out, not to mention a trip to Barcode Vauxhall, we wandered whether he would find his way, but with a call to our mobile from the nearby tube station, we ran out briefly to guide him to the pre-party and once in, introduced him to our other pals, who like us, were impressed with his glamorous outfit & looks.
With the main party already in full swing, it wasn’t long before we made the short trip across Vauxhall to Colleseum and on arrival were aghast with the huge crowd queuing patiently to get in. Being fortunate ones, we were on the guestlist and were quickly spotted by the fabulous Minty who has just recently been brought onto the Evolved Events team, providing a familiar scene face to the London clubbing fraternity making the trip to their latest clubbing instalment. It was clear that she & sidekick Marky B had their hands full managing the huge numbers anxious to get into the club, but experience tells & they were doing a magnificent job. Slapping a bright green VIP bandage around our wrists, Minty sent us on our way into Matinee heaven at our favoured venue.
As soon as we were past the coatcheck we spotted that the room (formerly the coatcheck) was open and filling with a crowd in search of the lighter side of Matinee, but we were intent on investigating the main room, our expectations high following earlier conversations with Oliver M about the transformation planned. And it is fair to say, we weren’t disappointed, as entering the main room, which was choc-a-bloc with ardent revellers soaking up the wonderful atmosphere, helped along by the presence of Matinee star DJ Enrico Argentini, who was in control of the decks in their new position against the back wall of the room, the old DJ booth space set aside for the team of eager go-go boys & girls. Behind the new D.J. booth was a bank of amazing multi coloured neon lights, which gave the room an exciting feel & look, with yet more go-go’s to the right of the booth, entertaining the audience in front of them. All the usual Matinee signage was present along with Evolved Events’ customary first class production to make us feel at home in the venue change.
Moving through towards the back area and pausing for a while outside in the smoking section, which was filling rapidly before our eyes, we spotted the old VIP room space open, which was also brimming full with people, evoking memories of all the great times we have had in there, back in the days of Beyond. We didn’t get as far as the third room, guessing that it, like the rest of the venue, was also busy, busy, busy.
Back in the main room, we were struggling to find a suitable space to dance, with the vagaries of the last few days, where in burning the proverbial candle had caught up on both us & our friend Kieran, leaving us sapped of the passion to dance the night away in usual frantic fashion, preferring to concentrate our efforts in keeping our fabulous friend as happy as possible. Soon, with Enrico Argentini giving way to yet another top Matinee DJ name, Rafa Ariza, who continued to deliver that unique sound we have come to know and love, both stars having been flown in direct from Ibiza, the evening was set to get just better & better. With the billed mega line up of a supporting DJ cast, including Blind Pig, the gorgeous Eduardo De La Torre, Alessandro & the Italian Stallion Pagano, not to mention the man himself Oliver M, on top of the ever presence of Logan’s team of beautiful dancers, the handsome crowd gathered were in for pure and unadulterated Matinee hedonism for the remaining hours of the mega blow-out with a finishing time of 11 a.m.
We really wanted to see out the whole experience, but with our energy levels dropping dangerously low, we meandered slowly through the main floor, past a mix of hunky topless latino’s, party boys &girls as well as off duty scene faces, beyond the packed bar area & down the stairs to make our exit from the club. Finally passing the first room we had come across on entering, which was still full of ravers, we stepped outside to make our way home to rejuvenate our batteries in time for work the following day. Even at this time, there was still a huge crowd queuing to enter, so proving Matinee’s popularity.
So, what did we think of our experience. Well, the transformation of Colleseum was remarkable, the music as good as it has always been at Matinee, the crowd still the most gorgeous and sexy of any club in London and the atmosphere fantastic. Yes it was probably a little too packed and sweaty for us at times, but, in the company our friend Kieran, who also made a point of commenting favourably afterwards, we had a superb time, if a shorter stay than we had anticipated.
Matinee, in moving to this Vauxhall superclub, in our view, is to set to go from strength to strength and with rumours & plans afoot to move back to its original Saturday slot, it can only get better. We are so pleased for Oliver, Logan & all involved with Evolved events, including Minty who will surely increase the popularity of both Matinee & Revolver, toasting what was a hugely successful Superbowl styled event. Bring on the next Matinee party and we promise to stay the distance next time. (DISCO MATT)
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