ALPFRESCO: NIGHT ONE

The Underground, Söll, Austria | March 22nd

Having spent six hours slapping about on the side of a big fuck-off mountain, there’s something slightly counter-intuitive about leaving the idyllic comfort of our chalet at nine in the evening. But knowing you’ve got Alfresco Disco working their magic 100 yards down the road makes it a pretty easy decision.

Entering the snug and tantalisingly packed Undergound to the sound of WLT and Tom Hodgson couldn’t be much better. While the duo are, unbeknownst to themselves, conducting a fiercely-debated and impossible to judge handsome-off in the booth (it’s a matter of whether you’re into beards or not, there’s nothing else between ‘em) their impeccably mixed, rich and considered house selection comes against a backdrop of pine, schnapps and a lingering, refreshing chill in the air. It’s a stunning, surreal juxtaposition, much like the whole weekend thus far. The Alfresco spirit has been fully transferred.

As they sublimely end their stint with Moodymann’s Long Hot Sexy Nights, the volume drops while the Editor of this very magazine is treated to a round of Happy Birthday. Cause it’s his birthday. Immediately, representatives of one of the most important labels in all that’s interesting in UK electronic music, Hypercolour, step forward to the sound of the Ron Basejam remix of The White Lamp’s It’s You. And so they set the tone for the remainder of our night. For every 20 minutes of unidentifiable, vivid and invigorating jams, in comes a moment to bring the room to its knees: see Bashmore’s Footsteppin, or the Four Tet remix of Caribou’s Sun. When Alfresco residents Dan Hayman and Justin Credible glide onto the decks, they just can’t fucking miss. As first nights go, this was basically flawless.

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Words: Geraint Davies