INDUSTRI – “NIGHT(S) OF A THOUSAND BIRTHDAY PARTIES” (WELL ALMOST!)
INDUSTRI @ BARCODE VAUXHALL
THURSDAY 22ND JANUARY 2009
REVIEW FOR SEENQUEEN
Well, what a year it has been already, as not only has the new year dawned creating hope & opportunity for us, but THE social soiree party was set to celebrate its first year in GaYland London, and in the inimitable words of the clubs organisers, it’s been “a year on the job” and a good one too we say. Seeing off most of the other social Thursday gatherings in it’s launch twelve months, Industri has made a real impact on the scene, and one we haven’t (and wouldn’t) miss for anything.
So, it was no surprise that as the anniversary loomed, we were hastily making plans to start the month long birthday proceedings off with our very own. Just days before Christmas, we let our hair down in true Disco Matt fashion, marking our own turn of another year, celebrating in real style, with a party that saw a healthy turnout of friends old & new, combined with Industri regulars, off duty D.J’s and scene faces a plenty, all shunning the lures of the pre Christmas shopping sales in town & beyond, to hit Barcode Vauxhall and make it a special night, so good that we needed reminding of proceedings post midnight (well it was our birthday afterall!)
Then, as we had drawn breath after a marathon NYD clubbing experience, that included the extended Industri offering in the hands of Mistress Minty and her men, Paul Heron, Brent Nicholls, with new recruit, Joel Antunes, all who delighted us with the NYD meltdown/chillout we needed, yet more birthdays loomed.
Not a week after that, was probably the birthday to end all birthday celebrations, Paul Heron’s (how old) party, being on the very day of Industri. Were we to be dazzled? we certainly were, as a long list of D.J’s turned up to pay tribute to this now legend on decks maestro. And, did we, as the tag line said, “love Paul Heron”? of course we did, as face after face appeared to join in the massive party that engulfed Barcode Vauxhall. We were simply blown away by the one-off music combination supplied by the D.J’s, with the fusion of names like Alan X, Alessando, Guy Williams, Eduardo De La Torre, Gonzalo, Jamie Head, Lee Yeomans, Oliver M, and Industri resident Brent Nicholls, it was a night to remember, no, not quite a “thousand D.J’s”, but THE best the scene has to offer, simply brilliant. With the whole event caught in a series of fabulous photos posted on our favourite social networking site, and a tribute special CD mix produced, the night has become truly unforgettable.
Then, as if only recovering after a three week run of hedonistic Thursday fun, we were tipped off that the hostess with the mostest, Minty, was celebrating her birthday, so in some hurried frenzy, invited the masses to attend, only to be told we had pre-empted it all, as the following week was to be a joint celebration. Never mind we thought, thankfully so did Minty, as we indulged in a plethora of birthday drinkies, with the thought that we would do it all again the next week, but any excuse for a knees up is what we say, well especially as it turned out to be the third birthday in as many weeks.
But these were the pre-cursors to the party we had all been waiting for, yes, Industri’s first! The posters were certainly striking and with the wealth of press coverage, it was destined to be an amazing party. And what a party it was, how could it have been anything else in the hands of Minty & her boys!
Arriving, fashionably late (not again) at just before 10 p.m., we were blown away by the effort made to decorate the venue, classy & aptly coloured shiny balloons festooning Barcode Vauxhalls’ front room, giving it an almost “Disney” like feel and with the crowd building considerably, the atmosphere was already superb. With friends coming to our (much needed) supporting aid, we fell into the welcoming arms of Paul Heron, who was spinning characteristic tunes from behind the booth, really warming up the club. Paul is such a great guy and a brilliant pal, instantly making us feel welcome and at ease.
It was fair to say that nearly all the Industri regulars were there too and we couldn’t have asked for a better bunch of folks to rub shoulders with as we indulged conversations with friends Chris, Stephen, Ian, Kym, Sofie and more and marvelled at the fantastic montage of photo’s in a specially produced album chronicling Industri's history, which was passed around the whole crowd & indeed the venue.
Brent Nicholls was now behind the decks, delivering a sumptuous mix of house music heaven, with tunes of the now intermixed with new tracks to truly entice, giving rise to us relaxing into party mood, heightened by the arrival of photographer legend Chris Jepson, who proceeded to snap away, even catching us off guard (please don’t use it) as well as a combination of lovelies who were sure to adorn the pages of gay rags worthy of the day. This then prompted camera after camera to emerge and catch us and all around us for posterity, evoking everything that is so amazing about this special social soiree.
Then, looking around, we saw an excited Minty, welcoming a trio of dancers, who then disappeared “backstage” to gather themselves as the space in front of the D.J booth was cleared in preparation for a stunning acrobatic flag waving display, which grabbed the attention of everyone in Barcode, including Manager Kim and owner Troy who were both in attendance to celebrate one of the best nights of this iconic bar brand. By now the atmosphere was electric, and with the duo of Brent & Paul serving up the tastiest of funky & electro infused & twisted house tunes, you couldn’t have asked for anything more, as party animals, one after the other, continued to come and go.
With our backs momentarily turned, the music suddenly stopped and everyone gathered back in front to the D.J. booth as Paul Heron brought out a lovely candle encrusted cake, prompting birthday girl Minty to take centre stage and blow out the candles, immediately followed by a touching speech, before the music was fired up again and pieces of the cake were carved up and passed around. This also then resulted in a wave of shots coming over the bar. Did we indulge? well it would have been rude not to and so saw our evening well and truly cemented, with the brilliant combination of great music, great people and a great atmosphere that makes Industri so unique.
Before we knew it, the 2 a.m. close arrived, all too soon as far as we were concerned and as the music died down and the masses slipped away, some onto the late night club ravages of Vauxhall, with a hectic meeting filled following day, we also retired from Barcode, escorted to our waiting transport by Brent Nicholls, to then make the short journey home & to bed to reflect on the party of the year so far and the amazing time we had surrounded & looked after by so many friends.
Amidst all the doom and gloom that the credit crunch seems to be inflicting (and yes we have felt it personally too) Industri is a wonderful recipe of escapism and enjoyment that, for us, makes Thursday’s the real start to the weekend. For it to survive in a truly competitive environment and not only that but to increase in popularity, is testament to the hard work and impeccable combination of Minty, Paul & Brent. So, many happy returns to you, Industri, we love you, adore you and cherish you. (DISCO MATT)
INDUSTRI @ BARCODE VAUXHALL
THURSDAY 22ND JANUARY 2009
REVIEW FOR SEENQUEEN
Well, what a year it has been already, as not only has the new year dawned creating hope & opportunity for us, but THE social soiree party was set to celebrate its first year in GaYland London, and in the inimitable words of the clubs organisers, it’s been “a year on the job” and a good one too we say. Seeing off most of the other social Thursday gatherings in it’s launch twelve months, Industri has made a real impact on the scene, and one we haven’t (and wouldn’t) miss for anything.
So, it was no surprise that as the anniversary loomed, we were hastily making plans to start the month long birthday proceedings off with our very own. Just days before Christmas, we let our hair down in true Disco Matt fashion, marking our own turn of another year, celebrating in real style, with a party that saw a healthy turnout of friends old & new, combined with Industri regulars, off duty D.J’s and scene faces a plenty, all shunning the lures of the pre Christmas shopping sales in town & beyond, to hit Barcode Vauxhall and make it a special night, so good that we needed reminding of proceedings post midnight (well it was our birthday afterall!)
Then, as we had drawn breath after a marathon NYD clubbing experience, that included the extended Industri offering in the hands of Mistress Minty and her men, Paul Heron, Brent Nicholls, with new recruit, Joel Antunes, all who delighted us with the NYD meltdown/chillout we needed, yet more birthdays loomed.
Not a week after that, was probably the birthday to end all birthday celebrations, Paul Heron’s (how old) party, being on the very day of Industri. Were we to be dazzled? we certainly were, as a long list of D.J’s turned up to pay tribute to this now legend on decks maestro. And, did we, as the tag line said, “love Paul Heron”? of course we did, as face after face appeared to join in the massive party that engulfed Barcode Vauxhall. We were simply blown away by the one-off music combination supplied by the D.J’s, with the fusion of names like Alan X, Alessando, Guy Williams, Eduardo De La Torre, Gonzalo, Jamie Head, Lee Yeomans, Oliver M, and Industri resident Brent Nicholls, it was a night to remember, no, not quite a “thousand D.J’s”, but THE best the scene has to offer, simply brilliant. With the whole event caught in a series of fabulous photos posted on our favourite social networking site, and a tribute special CD mix produced, the night has become truly unforgettable.
Then, as if only recovering after a three week run of hedonistic Thursday fun, we were tipped off that the hostess with the mostest, Minty, was celebrating her birthday, so in some hurried frenzy, invited the masses to attend, only to be told we had pre-empted it all, as the following week was to be a joint celebration. Never mind we thought, thankfully so did Minty, as we indulged in a plethora of birthday drinkies, with the thought that we would do it all again the next week, but any excuse for a knees up is what we say, well especially as it turned out to be the third birthday in as many weeks.
But these were the pre-cursors to the party we had all been waiting for, yes, Industri’s first! The posters were certainly striking and with the wealth of press coverage, it was destined to be an amazing party. And what a party it was, how could it have been anything else in the hands of Minty & her boys!
Arriving, fashionably late (not again) at just before 10 p.m., we were blown away by the effort made to decorate the venue, classy & aptly coloured shiny balloons festooning Barcode Vauxhalls’ front room, giving it an almost “Disney” like feel and with the crowd building considerably, the atmosphere was already superb. With friends coming to our (much needed) supporting aid, we fell into the welcoming arms of Paul Heron, who was spinning characteristic tunes from behind the booth, really warming up the club. Paul is such a great guy and a brilliant pal, instantly making us feel welcome and at ease.
It was fair to say that nearly all the Industri regulars were there too and we couldn’t have asked for a better bunch of folks to rub shoulders with as we indulged conversations with friends Chris, Stephen, Ian, Kym, Sofie and more and marvelled at the fantastic montage of photo’s in a specially produced album chronicling Industri's history, which was passed around the whole crowd & indeed the venue.
Brent Nicholls was now behind the decks, delivering a sumptuous mix of house music heaven, with tunes of the now intermixed with new tracks to truly entice, giving rise to us relaxing into party mood, heightened by the arrival of photographer legend Chris Jepson, who proceeded to snap away, even catching us off guard (please don’t use it) as well as a combination of lovelies who were sure to adorn the pages of gay rags worthy of the day. This then prompted camera after camera to emerge and catch us and all around us for posterity, evoking everything that is so amazing about this special social soiree.
Then, looking around, we saw an excited Minty, welcoming a trio of dancers, who then disappeared “backstage” to gather themselves as the space in front of the D.J booth was cleared in preparation for a stunning acrobatic flag waving display, which grabbed the attention of everyone in Barcode, including Manager Kim and owner Troy who were both in attendance to celebrate one of the best nights of this iconic bar brand. By now the atmosphere was electric, and with the duo of Brent & Paul serving up the tastiest of funky & electro infused & twisted house tunes, you couldn’t have asked for anything more, as party animals, one after the other, continued to come and go.
With our backs momentarily turned, the music suddenly stopped and everyone gathered back in front to the D.J. booth as Paul Heron brought out a lovely candle encrusted cake, prompting birthday girl Minty to take centre stage and blow out the candles, immediately followed by a touching speech, before the music was fired up again and pieces of the cake were carved up and passed around. This also then resulted in a wave of shots coming over the bar. Did we indulge? well it would have been rude not to and so saw our evening well and truly cemented, with the brilliant combination of great music, great people and a great atmosphere that makes Industri so unique.
Before we knew it, the 2 a.m. close arrived, all too soon as far as we were concerned and as the music died down and the masses slipped away, some onto the late night club ravages of Vauxhall, with a hectic meeting filled following day, we also retired from Barcode, escorted to our waiting transport by Brent Nicholls, to then make the short journey home & to bed to reflect on the party of the year so far and the amazing time we had surrounded & looked after by so many friends.
Amidst all the doom and gloom that the credit crunch seems to be inflicting (and yes we have felt it personally too) Industri is a wonderful recipe of escapism and enjoyment that, for us, makes Thursday’s the real start to the weekend. For it to survive in a truly competitive environment and not only that but to increase in popularity, is testament to the hard work and impeccable combination of Minty, Paul & Brent. So, many happy returns to you, Industri, we love you, adore you and cherish you. (DISCO MATT)
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