MATINEE SPACE INVADERS – SATURDAY 8TH NOVEMBER
REVIEW FOR SEENQUEEN
Well it is fair to say that this monthly clubbing event has become like a religious homage for us, with hardly anything stopping us from attending. And this month was no exception, despite a gruelling work schedule, lack of sleep and no real time to ourselves, but then we are extremely obliging with our commitments to others, just look at our five club reviews in one night last weekend.
So, amidst the kind of weather that would keep most people firmly indoors, we headed off to Vauxhall and the temptations of this Spanish influenced phononemum of a party. With expectations for a high turnout and with thoughts that sister club Revolver, also running on the same night, would suffer dramatically, we opted to go south of the river calling in at Barcode Vauxhall, both to meet up with friends also going to Matinee and as, has been proven in the past, an ideal warm up to the main event itself.
On this occasion, however, we couldn’t have been more wrong, as we struggled to get into the bar to begin with, then drama’s ensued on the coat check and the club, in general, was filled with the most bizarre mix of people, (definately not those off to Matinee!). We desperately looked for our friends, soon realising that they had done what we were resigned to do, just aimed for Colosseum instead.
Leaving Barcode behind, we arrived at Matinee’s doors at just turned midnight to find only a smattering of people waiting in the guest list queue and armed with a ticket we had no wait at all, clearly the earlier arrival time being the reason. Saying hello briefly to Minty, who was busy sorting out her list, we got inside and joined what seemed a massive line of people waiting to put their bits & bobs into the coatcheck, After a frustrating 20 minutes to get our bags in, the service at the bar when ordering Sambuca for Minty & us, was simply appaling (we won’t bore you with the story!), all of which was enough to push us over the edge. So, in some “hissy queeny” fit we proceeded to lay into poor old Oliver M outside the club (it wasn’t his fault) and the club owner (who’s fault it definitely was) who just making matters worse with excuse after excuse.
Whilst this was not the start we had planned to our evening, we retreated into the club, up the stairs and into the main room, hotly pursued by an apologetic Oliver, but by now we had calmed down and repeated our claim that it wasn’t his fault. Looking around room 1, it was filling nicely with a much friendlier and gorgeous looking collection of latino’s, scene faces, and muscle queens, all soaking up the building atmosphere, masterfully orchestrated by the man on the decks, Guy Williams, who was pumping out some amazing hard edged diet techno infused house tracks mixed in with what can only be described as future disco tunes. This had us captivated for much of his set and with memories of our arrival long gone, we mingled with Industri friends on the dancefloor bumping into more familiar faces, including our friends lost in Barcode, as we settled on out spot by the backstage, next to the D.J. booth. The troupe of infamous Matinee dancers were out in force, suitably dressed in superb “starship trouper” headgear, amongst them, the lovely Dilmar, performing brilliantly as the dancers found positions across the dancefloor, to delight the crowd. The usual Matinee magic production was present, if a little understated than usual. Space ship mobiles were hanging from the ceiling and the fabulous wall of neon lights behind the D.J. booth served as the focal point, a unique touch that Matinee is becoming famous for.
So good had been the music, the atmosphere and the company we had enjoyed, under the control of the magnificent Guy Williams, we had hardly noticed the time as he handed over to Spanish superstar & Matinee Barcelona resident, Enrico Argentini. However, something seemed to be drawing us to room 2, albeit a long jaunt downstairs. Leaving our friends behind, we ventured off the hot & packed main floor and down the stairs into second space. That had been the draw, as we found Brent Nicholls behind the decks delivering an altogether faster paced chunky, funky, latino twisted bunch of tunes to a room that was sadly far from full. We were mystified when the team had decided to use this room last time and the small crowd once again proved that this space just doesn’t work. D.J. Alessandro was present, due to follow on after Brent but the look on his face said it all!! Despite great efforts with the lighting and the brilliant set delivered by Brent, which had us furiously dancing, (brought memories of his set in Trade’s lite lounge two weeks ago flooding back) room 2 just lacked the bodies to make it special, like the VIP room had done at Matinee Viva. Bring back the VIP room we cry (the D.J’s want it too!!).
Back in the main room, we caught the tail end of Enrico Argentini’s set, wedging our way past a brimming to capacity crowd and finding a small spot right next to the D.J. booth and the huge smoke cannon. With Pagano moving into position, what then ensued was simply amazing, as he set about taking the adorning Matinee party goers on a journey of exquisite music choices, one track after the next making us draw breath in amazement. The atmosphere took on a new direction and it was clear room 1 was the place to be as it continued to fill with more & more people, we spotting the likes of our pals Lee Yeomans & Max Sanna, as well as Hugh Stevenson, the lovely Paul Heron and even Brent Nicholls, who was determined to soak up the delights of the room, having finished his D.J. duties downstairs (and they all looked like they were enjoying it!). Like Guy’s set, we were so enthralled by Pagano’s music, that time literally flew and when the cute & lovely Eduardo De La Torre was set ready to take over, we knew night had turned into day.
By now our energy levels were sapping, although a few of our friends had already fallen by the wayside, and we retired to the bar to attempt to recover from the hours of magnificent music in the hands of Guy, Brent & Pagano. Yet as much as we tried, we couldn’t step up to the plate any longer and with work looming, we soon hung up our boots and retired home.
So, how do we rate this latest Matinee instalment, Space Invaders? Well, looking at the various elements, actually very well. Despite the shambolic coatcheck organisation (we waited 15 minutes when leaving!), the dreadful first experience at the bar and the poor choice of a second room (this must change for next time!), Matinee Space Invaders for us was all about the music. And what brilliant music it was. Our hats go off to ALL the D.J’s, Nathan 6, Alessandro, Enrico Argentini & Eduardo De La Torre (all four names so characteristic to Matinee line ups who never fail to disappoint) but we were simply bowled over by first Guy Willams, then Brent Nicholls and finally by Pagano, absolutely awesome were these guys’ performances.
REVIEW FOR SEENQUEEN
Well it is fair to say that this monthly clubbing event has become like a religious homage for us, with hardly anything stopping us from attending. And this month was no exception, despite a gruelling work schedule, lack of sleep and no real time to ourselves, but then we are extremely obliging with our commitments to others, just look at our five club reviews in one night last weekend.
So, amidst the kind of weather that would keep most people firmly indoors, we headed off to Vauxhall and the temptations of this Spanish influenced phononemum of a party. With expectations for a high turnout and with thoughts that sister club Revolver, also running on the same night, would suffer dramatically, we opted to go south of the river calling in at Barcode Vauxhall, both to meet up with friends also going to Matinee and as, has been proven in the past, an ideal warm up to the main event itself.
On this occasion, however, we couldn’t have been more wrong, as we struggled to get into the bar to begin with, then drama’s ensued on the coat check and the club, in general, was filled with the most bizarre mix of people, (definately not those off to Matinee!). We desperately looked for our friends, soon realising that they had done what we were resigned to do, just aimed for Colosseum instead.
Leaving Barcode behind, we arrived at Matinee’s doors at just turned midnight to find only a smattering of people waiting in the guest list queue and armed with a ticket we had no wait at all, clearly the earlier arrival time being the reason. Saying hello briefly to Minty, who was busy sorting out her list, we got inside and joined what seemed a massive line of people waiting to put their bits & bobs into the coatcheck, After a frustrating 20 minutes to get our bags in, the service at the bar when ordering Sambuca for Minty & us, was simply appaling (we won’t bore you with the story!), all of which was enough to push us over the edge. So, in some “hissy queeny” fit we proceeded to lay into poor old Oliver M outside the club (it wasn’t his fault) and the club owner (who’s fault it definitely was) who just making matters worse with excuse after excuse.
Whilst this was not the start we had planned to our evening, we retreated into the club, up the stairs and into the main room, hotly pursued by an apologetic Oliver, but by now we had calmed down and repeated our claim that it wasn’t his fault. Looking around room 1, it was filling nicely with a much friendlier and gorgeous looking collection of latino’s, scene faces, and muscle queens, all soaking up the building atmosphere, masterfully orchestrated by the man on the decks, Guy Williams, who was pumping out some amazing hard edged diet techno infused house tracks mixed in with what can only be described as future disco tunes. This had us captivated for much of his set and with memories of our arrival long gone, we mingled with Industri friends on the dancefloor bumping into more familiar faces, including our friends lost in Barcode, as we settled on out spot by the backstage, next to the D.J. booth. The troupe of infamous Matinee dancers were out in force, suitably dressed in superb “starship trouper” headgear, amongst them, the lovely Dilmar, performing brilliantly as the dancers found positions across the dancefloor, to delight the crowd. The usual Matinee magic production was present, if a little understated than usual. Space ship mobiles were hanging from the ceiling and the fabulous wall of neon lights behind the D.J. booth served as the focal point, a unique touch that Matinee is becoming famous for.
So good had been the music, the atmosphere and the company we had enjoyed, under the control of the magnificent Guy Williams, we had hardly noticed the time as he handed over to Spanish superstar & Matinee Barcelona resident, Enrico Argentini. However, something seemed to be drawing us to room 2, albeit a long jaunt downstairs. Leaving our friends behind, we ventured off the hot & packed main floor and down the stairs into second space. That had been the draw, as we found Brent Nicholls behind the decks delivering an altogether faster paced chunky, funky, latino twisted bunch of tunes to a room that was sadly far from full. We were mystified when the team had decided to use this room last time and the small crowd once again proved that this space just doesn’t work. D.J. Alessandro was present, due to follow on after Brent but the look on his face said it all!! Despite great efforts with the lighting and the brilliant set delivered by Brent, which had us furiously dancing, (brought memories of his set in Trade’s lite lounge two weeks ago flooding back) room 2 just lacked the bodies to make it special, like the VIP room had done at Matinee Viva. Bring back the VIP room we cry (the D.J’s want it too!!).
Back in the main room, we caught the tail end of Enrico Argentini’s set, wedging our way past a brimming to capacity crowd and finding a small spot right next to the D.J. booth and the huge smoke cannon. With Pagano moving into position, what then ensued was simply amazing, as he set about taking the adorning Matinee party goers on a journey of exquisite music choices, one track after the next making us draw breath in amazement. The atmosphere took on a new direction and it was clear room 1 was the place to be as it continued to fill with more & more people, we spotting the likes of our pals Lee Yeomans & Max Sanna, as well as Hugh Stevenson, the lovely Paul Heron and even Brent Nicholls, who was determined to soak up the delights of the room, having finished his D.J. duties downstairs (and they all looked like they were enjoying it!). Like Guy’s set, we were so enthralled by Pagano’s music, that time literally flew and when the cute & lovely Eduardo De La Torre was set ready to take over, we knew night had turned into day.
By now our energy levels were sapping, although a few of our friends had already fallen by the wayside, and we retired to the bar to attempt to recover from the hours of magnificent music in the hands of Guy, Brent & Pagano. Yet as much as we tried, we couldn’t step up to the plate any longer and with work looming, we soon hung up our boots and retired home.
So, how do we rate this latest Matinee instalment, Space Invaders? Well, looking at the various elements, actually very well. Despite the shambolic coatcheck organisation (we waited 15 minutes when leaving!), the dreadful first experience at the bar and the poor choice of a second room (this must change for next time!), Matinee Space Invaders for us was all about the music. And what brilliant music it was. Our hats go off to ALL the D.J’s, Nathan 6, Alessandro, Enrico Argentini & Eduardo De La Torre (all four names so characteristic to Matinee line ups who never fail to disappoint) but we were simply bowled over by first Guy Willams, then Brent Nicholls and finally by Pagano, absolutely awesome were these guys’ performances.
A Great clubbing experience is not always about the music, but if it was, then Matinee would be streets ahead of any other club (actually it is anyway!). Well done Oliver & the Evolved Events team, you have done it again!! (DISCO MATT)
No comments:
Post a Comment