Future Garden

The Yard, Southampton

Following a summer of planning their next ventures and a few festival appearances, The Future Garden crew returned to Southampton. Maintaining their solid record in searching out interesting and alternative venues, the crew decked out the previously unused yard of Southampton venue Talking Heads.

Despite the contrast between the venue’s usual acts, (70s britpop soundchecks were the soundtrack to the way to and from the toilet) the setup was strong. The usual DIY-chic decorations were on display in full force from the moment you set foot inside the freight pallet gateway. The addition of hand-painted plywood shapes suspended from the marquee and the classic disco ball as the ornamental centrepiece set the mood for a day of disco debauchery.

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The brilliantly named opening act Pardon My French were the perfect entrée to the main course that was Faze Action. The Lee brothers are currently promoting their latest LP Body of One, the album’s lead track, the raw, analogue disco-stomper Prisoner of Your Love delighted a heaving crowd.

The hard-working Future Garden fellas then finished up serving drinks behind the bar by stepping up to the plate(s) for the last two hours of the party to deliver a delicious array of four-on-the-floor selections. A dessert that must have put the local burger van out of business.

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After the frivolities of the day, the crowd descended upon Junk Club to continue the party into the early hours, with Future Garden DJs performing alongside James Priestly and Giles Smith from the legendary London label secretsundaze.

All in all, Future Garden have once again demonstrated that with a an eye for something different, plenty of imagination and the right attitude, there’s no reason to wait until after dark to have a whole heap of fun. Most importantly they are still providing an alternative approach to events in Southampton, which there’s clearly plenty of room for in today’s saturated and cyclical party market. And rumour has it that they’re looking to spread their wings further afield.