FABRIC: PHANTASY TAKEOVER
Fabric | June 22nd
Built on a soundclash ethos designed to pull in the numbers, (explained as a high regard for ‘eclecticism’…) Fabric can sometimes feel like more of a tourist attraction than a club.
On a parallel, Erol Alkan’s revered ‘bastard pop’ refixes are equally capable of appealing to the masses but in a less calculated and far more humble way. However, tonight’s first act, Erol’s reanimated side project with Richard Norris, Beyond The Wizard’s Sleeve, did feel a little cavalier. Whilst soulful jams, 70s rock ‘n’ roll, Bollywood vibes, Caribbean percussion and Italo disco in a 2 hour set might sound intriguing, but in truth it’s probably best saved for a mixtape.
Daniel Avery’s set in the main room was far more club friendly. Jumping between angular techno rhythms and intergalactic bass lines, Avery’s cosmic universe still continues to push dancefloor perceptions but still keep people dancing. Cuts from his dark Movement EP went down well, keeping most of the crowd away from Pillow Talk’s live London debut. Their incredible fusions and accomplished live performance deserved a bigger crowd, but with the brilliant House currently seeping into everyone’s consciousness, it’s no surprise that most stuck to the main room for Adam Bainbridge’s live realisation of Kindness.
Pouring forth a colourful stream of washed out funk and disco flecked pop jams, Bainbridge and co. shuffled and flexed their way through disjointed rhythms and fantastic muted grooves. Whilst Cyan and the aforementioned House were great to see, the group’s medley of 80s anthems from greats such as Womack and Womack and Luniz got the biggest reaction.
Mixing effortlessly into his own refix of Gee Up, the main attraction of the evening quickly transformed pensive indie shuffles to the jaw clenching, wide-eyed hysteria that you’d expect on a Fabric dancefloor. Aggressive electro basslines, teasing vocal samples, outrageous builds, flashing lights and ridiculous facial expressions were on the menu and, of course, were delivered brilliantly. Erol is still is a DJ god, just as long as he sticks to playing those genius indie re-edits and floor shaking beats.
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Words: Matt Riches
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