Clubbing Highlights Scotland – September 2014

September brings forth delights in the form of Daniel Avery, Omar S and Truncate

Preview by Ronan Martin | 03 Sep 2014

We kick off in Edinburgh with a cheeky midweek outing as Witness bring in none other than Daniel Avery, surely one of the most talked about producers of recent years. Anyone to receive an early nod from Andrew Weatherall – not to mention from Optimo in the form of a release on their label – is bound to have something legit about him. Sure enough, last year’s Drone Logic, released through Phantasy, became one of the most acclaimed albums of 2013. With a style that blends elements of techno, acid and more ambient grooves, Avery managed to put together a record that pulses with the bass-induced vigour of club material, while also retaining something of a casual listening feel. Chuck in the fact he holds a residency at London’s revered Fabric and you have yourself an inviting prospect (Wed 3 Sep, Sneaky Pete’s, £8).

Next up we’re keen to see what all the Nightvision fuss is about. Unveiled in July, the series put together by promoters Musika and Xplicit is set to bring a host of big name talent to the capital over autumn and winter. This month sees the launch weekend split into two events, with drum 'n' bass stars Chase & Status among the guests appearing at part one (Fri 19 Sep, City, adv from £15/25). For part two, Russian techno diva Nina Kraviz, Chicago house mainstay DJ Sneak and Fuse London’s Enzo Siragusa take to the decks (Sat 20 Sep, Liquid Room, adv from £15/20).

It’s off to Cabaret Voltaire on 26 September, because any opportunity to see Omar S is an opportunity which must be taken. Over the past decade, Alex 'Omar' Smith has joined a long line of underground Detroit producers who have more than earned their stripes through consistently delivering deep house and techno which, quite frankly, shits all over much of the competition. With a back catalogue exhibiting equal parts soul and melody, equal parts brooding mechanical funk and always with something original to say, Omar S can rightly claim his place among the likes of Theo Parrish and Moodymann as a shining example of the Motor City’s house credentials (£10/12).

For our last Edinburgh outing, the second birthday of city-hopping party #notsosilent looks like a very good shout as they will be joined by German production whiz and consistently in demand selector, Move D for the occasion. Surprisingly this will be David Moufang’s debut appearance in Edinburgh though we suspect the first of many. With a production career dating back to the mid 90s, Moufang has evolved his sound from more ambient techno leanings early on, to rich and often jazz-inflected deep house in more recent years. Having been a DJ since the late 80s, it goes without saying he has this party covered (Fri 26 Sep, Sneaky Pete’s, £10).

Heading over to Glasgow, and Slam’s long-running Sub Club night Return to Mono this month delivers the goods with a live set from minimal techno godfather Robert Hood in his increasingly acclaimed Floorplan guise. Having carved out a signature sound in mesmerising minimal techno – inspiring countless others in the process – Hood’s more recent work has taken that hard edged sound and injected more of a soulful temperament into it. Still unrelentingly dancefloor, but perhaps appealing to house heads too, his tracks have rightly been doing the rounds a lot of late (Fri 12 Sep, £12 adv).

Friday 12 September could present a tricky decision for some as while Robert Hood takes to the Sub Club around the corner, New York’s Levon Vincent will be manning the turntables for part one of La Cheetah’s 5th birthday celebrations. Offering a dark and dub-driven brand of house and techno, Vincent’s style perhaps owes as much to his current place of residence (Berlin) as it does to NYC. Much of the music he sculpts seems tailor-made for the shadowier recesses of the club and the intimacy of La Cheetah should make this one special indeed (£10).

Finally, towards the end of the month, we return to La Cheetah for one of the club’s longer running regular nights, CODE. On this occasion, they welcome David Flores AKA Truncate to the booth. Delivering uncompromisingly stern techno cuts on labels such as Mote-Evolver and his own self-titled imprint, Flores has more recently found a platform on Modeselektor’s increasingly varied 50 Weapons label. If his appearance at the Sub Club last year is anything to by, this one should go down a treat (Sat 20 Sep, £6/10).