MATINEE 11TH BIRTHDAY PARTY - 23RD JANUARY
REVIEW FOR SEENQUEEN
Now don’t we just love a birthday party, streamers, jelly & ice cream and chocolate cake, but no, it wasn’t THAT sort of birthday party, but a celebration of a clubbing brand legend that has been entertaining the hedonistic masses since (well nearly) before we can remember. So it was that Matinee, the massive Spanish mother of clubland machines, rolled its 11th anniversary out onto the London gAylist scene, courtesy of magnifico, Oliver Mohns and his Evolved Events team, with huge expectation after a NYD party that didn’t quite hit the mark.
But, we couldn’t have expected anything so different, with an amazingly smooth running door, an equally efficient coatcheck and more than friendly bar staff, especially with the special drinks offers laid on in recompense for previous problems, not a month ago. To say we were impressed, as we arrived at Colloseum, accompanied by D.J. talent Alessandro, was an understatement and with the gorge Minty and the scrumptious Marky B on the door, we couldn’t have been greeted any better, with Mr Mohns in attendance, truly enhancing our welcome.
Moving through an already packed main room, we stopped off to say hello to the man that is the epitomy of Matinee early doors, Guy Williams, who was spinning his fabulous musical web of hard edged tech and uplifting house twists, drawing the ever increasing crowd into a packed space. As we looked around, we were relieved, nay impressed by the superb production, akin to Matinee parties of old, with the stage area suitably & spectacularly adorned, creating three separate dance areas for Mark M Forms’ Fierce International crew to show off their wears (and what wears they were!!).
Inevitably, we needed to move on to our favourite space, the VIP room, where talent Alessandro was due to play, although it was clear that many decided not to move on from the ever popular main room and with the promised doors between the two spaces not open, it was clear many didn’t want to make the long trip round. Joel Antunes was doing his best to warm up the scant crowd, but with the draw of Mr Guy and then Spanish resident extraordinaire D.J Iordee, the dance crazy music lover followers (a true mix of cute latino’s, muscle queens, Matinee regulars & party heads) decided the bigger space was preferable, and why not as the music was not only enticing, but pure classic Matinee.
We have to say, it took just three easy (and we will come to the third in a minute) developments to make the VIP room the place to be for us, as firstly, D.J. Alessandro stepped up the atmosphere and vibe in this special place, enhanced by our prompting of the promoters to open the joint entrance from the main room (the 2nd step). With our backs turned for a mere 10 minutes, we returned to find this exclusive setting jam packed with revellers, soaking up the eclectic and yet simply entertaining house sounds, with dancefloor anthems intermixed with new beats to really set the scene for a room, for us, unrivalled throughout the night.
A short excursion down to the “test lounge” found a space that was near on empty and reflective of the lack of popularity of what is known as the third room by many, but moreover by most Colloseum veterans as a coatcheck! We can only feel sorry for the D.J’s that play this room, probably knowing that their captive audience will always only be tiny compared to the other two spaces.
Well, it wasn’t long before we were squeezing back through the primary dancefloor, stopping off the see the plethora of gay glitterati behind the dazzling main room D.J. booth, suitably adorned by the characteristic backdrop neon lights, we found, amongst others, DJ Paul Heron, having a wail of a time (was he on the decks later?). But, we couldn’t resist our special place, the VIP room, and returned to find Alessandro still delivering some wonderfully inspired records to an adoring crowd (what happened to the vinyl mix though young man!) and we continued to dance away on our favoured spot, only briefly interrupted by an impromptu flag waving display.
However, with an anticipation that just grew and grew, with his entrance to the infamous enclosure, our excitement levels overtook our temporary fatigue, as Brent Nicholls (the 3rd step) assumed the decks and started with his very first record, not only to hold the massive VIP room crowd, but to swell it. With every choice sending us wild with delirious happiness, it was clear others felt the same, as “whoop whoops” to tune after tune wailed out, much to our amusement, but just adding the electric atmosphere. Over in the main room, Italian stallion Pagano, has assumed the D.J. deck reigns, but even this couldn’t tear us away from our “court holding” elevation, (well yes this gorge guy was cruising us!!) as we lost count of our favourite tracks of the moment, funky, latin twisted and hard edged tech style beats being played out by Mr Nicholls (naughty boy!). Mind you, based on this performance alone, we are of the opinion that he deserves a slot in the main room as we are sure he would take the space by storm!
With familiar face after face wandering through to say hello, including pals Lee Yeomans, Max Sanna, Matt Bird, Sofie Karlson and dance team co-ordinator fantastique, Mark M Forms, we felt right at home and not willing to move anywhere. seeing out the rest of our stay in the VIP room at this birthday celebration , which we would have been fools to miss.
Sadly, our minds were focussed on Monday commitments and having overdosed on pretty much everything, we had to take our leave, just slightly prematurely at 7 a.m., slipping down and out (no we are not) of club Colloseum and into the ravages of a wet and cold January Sunday morning and home to collapse in our huge duvet and wear off the tortures of an emotional week, knowing that many friendships potentially lost after the events of NYD were actually intact and other pals so supportive and kind.
So, was it the birthday party we expected? Well, to be fair no, not really. It was phenomenally, overwhelmingly and breathtakingly better than we could have ever wanted. The promoters had clearly listened, as with a seamless entrance, smooth running coatcheck, friendly bar service (including welcome discounts on drinks) and top notch production & stage shows, combined with (yet again & always) first class music, ensured that Matinee’s 11th anniversary was merely a close second to the legend that was/is Matinee Viva.
Special thanks have to go to a number of people, but especially to Minty, Marky B & Oliver M for welcoming us so beautifully, Guy Williams for setting the musical scene, Paul Heron, well for being Paul Heron, Alessandro for erupting the VIP room and Brent Nicholls, for being responsible for making us wear our the dancefloor with constant gyrating to all the tunes so close to our heart at the moment. Well done to you all, you certainly know how to put on a great party. Bring on more of the same please. (DISCO MATT)
REVIEW FOR SEENQUEEN
Now don’t we just love a birthday party, streamers, jelly & ice cream and chocolate cake, but no, it wasn’t THAT sort of birthday party, but a celebration of a clubbing brand legend that has been entertaining the hedonistic masses since (well nearly) before we can remember. So it was that Matinee, the massive Spanish mother of clubland machines, rolled its 11th anniversary out onto the London gAylist scene, courtesy of magnifico, Oliver Mohns and his Evolved Events team, with huge expectation after a NYD party that didn’t quite hit the mark.
But, we couldn’t have expected anything so different, with an amazingly smooth running door, an equally efficient coatcheck and more than friendly bar staff, especially with the special drinks offers laid on in recompense for previous problems, not a month ago. To say we were impressed, as we arrived at Colloseum, accompanied by D.J. talent Alessandro, was an understatement and with the gorge Minty and the scrumptious Marky B on the door, we couldn’t have been greeted any better, with Mr Mohns in attendance, truly enhancing our welcome.
Moving through an already packed main room, we stopped off to say hello to the man that is the epitomy of Matinee early doors, Guy Williams, who was spinning his fabulous musical web of hard edged tech and uplifting house twists, drawing the ever increasing crowd into a packed space. As we looked around, we were relieved, nay impressed by the superb production, akin to Matinee parties of old, with the stage area suitably & spectacularly adorned, creating three separate dance areas for Mark M Forms’ Fierce International crew to show off their wears (and what wears they were!!).
Inevitably, we needed to move on to our favourite space, the VIP room, where talent Alessandro was due to play, although it was clear that many decided not to move on from the ever popular main room and with the promised doors between the two spaces not open, it was clear many didn’t want to make the long trip round. Joel Antunes was doing his best to warm up the scant crowd, but with the draw of Mr Guy and then Spanish resident extraordinaire D.J Iordee, the dance crazy music lover followers (a true mix of cute latino’s, muscle queens, Matinee regulars & party heads) decided the bigger space was preferable, and why not as the music was not only enticing, but pure classic Matinee.
We have to say, it took just three easy (and we will come to the third in a minute) developments to make the VIP room the place to be for us, as firstly, D.J. Alessandro stepped up the atmosphere and vibe in this special place, enhanced by our prompting of the promoters to open the joint entrance from the main room (the 2nd step). With our backs turned for a mere 10 minutes, we returned to find this exclusive setting jam packed with revellers, soaking up the eclectic and yet simply entertaining house sounds, with dancefloor anthems intermixed with new beats to really set the scene for a room, for us, unrivalled throughout the night.
A short excursion down to the “test lounge” found a space that was near on empty and reflective of the lack of popularity of what is known as the third room by many, but moreover by most Colloseum veterans as a coatcheck! We can only feel sorry for the D.J’s that play this room, probably knowing that their captive audience will always only be tiny compared to the other two spaces.
Well, it wasn’t long before we were squeezing back through the primary dancefloor, stopping off the see the plethora of gay glitterati behind the dazzling main room D.J. booth, suitably adorned by the characteristic backdrop neon lights, we found, amongst others, DJ Paul Heron, having a wail of a time (was he on the decks later?). But, we couldn’t resist our special place, the VIP room, and returned to find Alessandro still delivering some wonderfully inspired records to an adoring crowd (what happened to the vinyl mix though young man!) and we continued to dance away on our favoured spot, only briefly interrupted by an impromptu flag waving display.
However, with an anticipation that just grew and grew, with his entrance to the infamous enclosure, our excitement levels overtook our temporary fatigue, as Brent Nicholls (the 3rd step) assumed the decks and started with his very first record, not only to hold the massive VIP room crowd, but to swell it. With every choice sending us wild with delirious happiness, it was clear others felt the same, as “whoop whoops” to tune after tune wailed out, much to our amusement, but just adding the electric atmosphere. Over in the main room, Italian stallion Pagano, has assumed the D.J. deck reigns, but even this couldn’t tear us away from our “court holding” elevation, (well yes this gorge guy was cruising us!!) as we lost count of our favourite tracks of the moment, funky, latin twisted and hard edged tech style beats being played out by Mr Nicholls (naughty boy!). Mind you, based on this performance alone, we are of the opinion that he deserves a slot in the main room as we are sure he would take the space by storm!
With familiar face after face wandering through to say hello, including pals Lee Yeomans, Max Sanna, Matt Bird, Sofie Karlson and dance team co-ordinator fantastique, Mark M Forms, we felt right at home and not willing to move anywhere. seeing out the rest of our stay in the VIP room at this birthday celebration , which we would have been fools to miss.
Sadly, our minds were focussed on Monday commitments and having overdosed on pretty much everything, we had to take our leave, just slightly prematurely at 7 a.m., slipping down and out (no we are not) of club Colloseum and into the ravages of a wet and cold January Sunday morning and home to collapse in our huge duvet and wear off the tortures of an emotional week, knowing that many friendships potentially lost after the events of NYD were actually intact and other pals so supportive and kind.
So, was it the birthday party we expected? Well, to be fair no, not really. It was phenomenally, overwhelmingly and breathtakingly better than we could have ever wanted. The promoters had clearly listened, as with a seamless entrance, smooth running coatcheck, friendly bar service (including welcome discounts on drinks) and top notch production & stage shows, combined with (yet again & always) first class music, ensured that Matinee’s 11th anniversary was merely a close second to the legend that was/is Matinee Viva.
Special thanks have to go to a number of people, but especially to Minty, Marky B & Oliver M for welcoming us so beautifully, Guy Williams for setting the musical scene, Paul Heron, well for being Paul Heron, Alessandro for erupting the VIP room and Brent Nicholls, for being responsible for making us wear our the dancefloor with constant gyrating to all the tunes so close to our heart at the moment. Well done to you all, you certainly know how to put on a great party. Bring on more of the same please. (DISCO MATT)
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