Introducing: Magic Nostalgic

With so many clubs focussing on 'serious' events, and with promoters continually trying to outdo one another to bring the latest hyped dance acts to Scottish venues, it’s often easy to overlook novel and intriguing resident-based nights or those promoters with the temerity to have a laugh with their programme. Magic Nostalgic, a sort of club-night-slash-musical-lottery, appears to have been devised to offer just that type of alternative clubbing experience.

Having proven successful in drawing a crowd at Edinburgh’s Electric Circus over the last few years, the Magic Nostalgic concept will now find a second home in Glasgow’s O2 ABC. We talk to Danny Abercrombie, one half of the duo, ahead of the launch...

Can you explain the concept behind Magic Nostalgic for anyone unfamiliar with it?
It stemmed from an idea to recreate the much loved ‘Wheel of Destiny’ concept pioneered by Fred Deakin (Lemon Jelly/Impotent Fury Records). We both had such varied music collections that it seemed a perfect idea to have a night where we could change from one style to another with the spin of a wheel. We ask someone from the club to spin the wheel every 30 minutes and whatever it lands on we play! There’s no fixing the wheel.

How have crowds in Edinburgh taken to the night?
We have queues to get in now. It’s been a huge success and mainly by word of mouth. People know they’re going to get a fun night and whilst they may not like the Rock Gods category, 30 minutes later it might land on the 90s Rave category or the Boy Bands category they’ve been waiting for.

Can you tell us about some of the most memorable selections and combinations of music that have been thrown up at past events?
It’s always pretty special if the wheel lands on Power Ballads at 2.30am. Not a dry eye in the house. We also have a RIP section where we play music by dead artists – special tributes have been paid to Whitney, Michael, Biggie and even Neil Armstrong (Man on the Moon!), whose death was announced whilst we were DJing. I’ve just realised 4th May will be a year to the day since MCA sadly passed away. Massive Beastie Boys section coming up!

Are there any limitations placed on the kind of music that’s played? Do the categories change from one event to the other?
There are no limits! That’s the main rule. We can make up new categories each month and try to get away with playing whatever we can! We managed to sneak in Kylie vs Jason last month, but my favourite is still Power Ballads – there’s something unique about seeing a club full of people singing China In Your Hand.

You present the event on stage with your co-host JP. What’s your role and what other elements, besides the music, make the night unique?
John Paul is Neil Tennant and I’m Chris Lowe. But sometimes Chris Lowe has too much to drink and tries to become Neil Tennant. John Paul does the interviews and wheel spins and I scramble around trying to find a song to play in the right category. We enjoy a good dress-up as well – any excuse really.

Finally, what kind of night are you hoping for when you launch the event at O2 ABC?
We just want people to have fun and not be too precious about music. Leave that at the door and grab some air (power ballads).