Scottish Clubbing Highlights – December 2015
This month we get festive with Ben Klock in the capital, eagerly await the return of Skatebård in Glasgow and point out the top tips for your Hogmanay outing
EDINBURGH
First up in the capital, we’re very much looking forward to the turn of Berlin-based Jay Donaldson aka Palms Trax, a producer who has been firmly in the ascendancy since his very first release on the formidable Lobster Theremin. Following up on the sublime Equation EP with the equally lauded Forever, his most recent outing was for the Dekmantel label – a characteristically soaring offering which combines his usual dancefloor drive with an unmistakably light dressing, with wandering lead parts set perfectly against deep plodding basslines and driving percussion. Joining him for Teesh at Sneaky Pete’s are Semi Deluxe and regular DJ Cheers (5 Dec, £5).
Next it’s one for Edinburgh’s techno heads as Pulse invite German maestro Ben Klock to La Belle Angele for what promises to be blistering end to a strong year for the promoters. Coming to represent all that is vital and famous about Berlin’s techno scene, the Berghain regular bangs out some of the most hypnotically funky techno you’re likely to hear, always balancing harder edged minimalism with expertly placed forays into more sprightly territory. With a sprawling back catalogue of his own tracks for the likes of Ostgut Ton and BPitch Control to draw upon, as well as a clear respect for techno torchbearers from Detroit and beyond, there are few who command such widespread appeal as Klock. This one should be feisty (11 Dec, £17.50).
GLASGOW
In Glasgow, we start our month early – on 1 Dec, no less – with the ever-industrious i AM hosting a producer who has shown considerable range over the years and is experiencing his most prolific period right now. Around a decade or so ago Kevin Gorman was already deep into production – at that time producing some of the best minimalist techno to emerge from a scene which was far too saturated with mediocrity. With the unveiling of his Adesse Versions guise in 2013, he ably demonstrated that there was more than one string to his bow, unleashing a much warmer, house side to his output. With releases on Local Talk, his own Adesse Versions imprint and most recently Glasgow’s very own Numbers, Gorman is enjoying a particularly fruitful rebirth. He is joined by hosts Beta and Kappa (Sub Club, £5-7).
Moving along to The Berkeley Suite, Pistols at Dawn have a cracker lined up for their Christmas party. Usually doing his thing with a full live band in tow, Crazy P’s James Baron clearly takes a purist approach to disco production, while also exemplifying a modern take on the genre in his use of acid house sounds and and slick electronics. Not surprisingly, his DJ sets are far from the type to churn out lazy edits amid dull house tracks and gimmickry. From the deep and funky to the mechanical and bugged out, Baron is sure to provide a proper workout at this one (12 Dec, £5-12).
Our last Glasgow pick takes us to La Cheetah where Offbeat celebrate their 4th birthday in fine style by inviting back one of their favourite guests over the years. Norwegian producer Skatebård has been doing his thing since around the turn of the millennium, releasing substantive slabs of Italo, techno, electro and deep, spacey house music on labels such as Sex Tags Mania and his own Digitalo Enterprises imprint. Producing and playing the kind of records that ooze character and depth, and always taking his sets in bold directions, his last outing for Offbeat at La Cheetah was arguably one of the best the club has witnessed. His range as a selector, coupled with the hosts’ reputation for supplying the goods, should make this one a bit if a no-brainer (18 Dec, £8-10).
ABERDEEN
Our Aberdeen pick for December takes us to The Tunnels for the visit of an unsung stalwart of the Detroit techno scene in the shape of Gary Martin. Operating his Teknotika label since the early 90s, largely as a platform for his own tracks including under the alias Gigi Galaxy, Martin brought a more organically percussive, tribal edge to the classic techno sound developed in Detroit. Embarking on a European tour in the coming weeks, Aberdeen will get a glimpse of a little known talent who has inspired some big names, including Seth Troxler with his work over the years (10 Dec, £6).
New Year's Eve Highlights
EDINBURGH
Kerri Chandler at La Belle Angele
New Jersey house hero Kerri Chandler descends on La Belle Anglele for a four-hour set.
Nightvison w/ Todd Terje, Huxley and Jasper James
Edinburgh club series Nightvision draws season three to a close with a Hogmanay special, with Scandinavian dance wizard Todd Terje heading up the main room, plus a Pulse Vs SLVR Vs Altitude takeover in the Annexe space.
GLASGOW
La Cheetah NYE w/ DJ Sprinkles, Palms Trax, Sparky
Glesga's beloved La Cheetah spread NYE over two floors, manned by a selection of fine electronic guest tunesmiths alongside some trusted party-starters from right here in't city.
Subculture NYE w/ John Talabot and Harri & Domenic
Long-running house night Subculture takes control of the Hogmanay decks at Subbie, with headline guest John Talabot hopefully bringing some sunshine to our wintry lives with his with his Balearic-influenced sets.