Scottish Clubbing Highlights – January 2016

2016, eh? With another brand new year in full swing, it's tempting to get caught up in responsible, ostensibly self-improving activities like sobriety, watching the pennies, and maybe even renewing that gym membership you abandoned halfway through... well, last January, actually. But why let this be at the expense of your social life? This is traditionally a quieter month, but there's still some must-attend events scattered across the Scottish clubland. Let's investigate.

Let's start off in Glasgow, and with a few words from Numbers founder Jackmaster: "I'm reaching the milestone 30 years of age in January," he tells us, "which is fucking pish. To numb the pain I've rented out the whole of SWG3 for a riot of epic proportions." He's not kidding either: Jackmaster's 30th Birthday is packed to the brim with stuff you won't wanna miss, from dubstep pioneer Skream to Bristol house hero Eats Everything (promising a "strictly hardcore" set) to the city's own Denis Sulta, whose latest album It's Only Real is a firm favourite among The Skinny's Clubs team (here's our recent interview with the man himself). There's a host of other excellent DJs on the bill covering a pretty broad base, including Jackmaster himself working the room alongside Optimo Trax alumnus Jasper James. Yessir, this'll be a biggie (SWG3, 10 Jan, £10/£15).

The good folks at Animal Farm have lined up Berlin-based techno wunderkind Blue Hour at Sub Club a few days later – Luke Standing (for it is he) has made a name for himself thanks to some impressive DJ sets across Europe, and he'll be bringing the noise alongside AF regulars Quail and Turtle (Sub Club, 15 Jan, £5/£8otd). Still on a techno tip, Code bring Madrid's Kwartz to Glasgow the following day, with support from their own Nick Morrow. With the buzz surrounding Kwartz's ongoing series of EPs and 12"s getting ever-louder, this is a good time to catch a fast-rising talent (La Cheetah, 16 Jan, £6 early bird/£10).

Edinburgh club nights

Over in Edinburgh, J. Tijn pays a visit to The Mash House on 15 Jan. Having absorbed the influence of grime and dubstep in the mid-00s, his approach to techno is thoroughly idiosyncratic and furiously energetic; catch this three-hour slot with support from SLVR residents (Mash House, 15 Jan, £6/£8).

And once you reach that heroic last weekend of the month – that sweet, sweet January payday Friday after weeks of destitution and wondering how many days you can stretch a packet of Super Noodles over – Glasgow stalwarts Optimo come to The Dissection Room at Summerhall for a one-off set. Renowned for their expansive and immersive sets, they'll be tearing the roof off the place with a little help from Auld Reekie's own techno hero Neil Landstrumm and enigmatic newcomer Mr TC, who forms one third of the Night of the Jaguar crew (Summerhall, 29 Jan, £10).

Club nights in Dundee & Aberdeen

Dundee has a good 'un planned for the middle of the month: Phazed bring Kevin Gorman, aka Adesse Versions to the Reading Rooms.With a clutch of releases stacked up for the likes of Numbers and Cocoon, and an impressive Boiler Room session racking up the hits online, his cut'n'paste approach to house adds up to a night worth getting your hair all mussed up for (Reading Rooms, 15 Jan, £8).

Finally, it's possibly worth taking a trip to Aberdeen at the end of the month as dub plate supremo David Rodigan makes his debut in the city. With some mighty impressive bass at his disposal, and Giles Walker and DJ Please in the mix to boot, this one is not to be missed (Underdog, 29 Jan, £10).