Scottish Clubbing Highlights – June 2016

Glasgow

It’s a big month ahead for the west coast, and first up there’s a colossal party in store when legendary Chicago native Green Velvet, aka Curtis Jones, takes over SWG3 for a non-stop night of deep house and electronic funk. Ever since Jones’ breakthrough DIY hit Coffee Pot (under the moniker Cajmere) way back in 1991, the self-taught musician and producer has consistently refined his unique house sound through experimentation with home-recorded vocal samples, electro punk and live instrumentation. After last year’s exciting Get Real collaboration with Claude VonStroke, it’s a thrill to have the big man back in these parts.

Warm-up duties on the night will be undertaken by none other than local rising star Theo Kottis; having already DJed alongside the likes of Nicolas Jarr, Tale Of Us and Seth Troxler since his debut on the scene in 2014, there’s currently no up-and-comer more worthy of such a serious supporting slot (4 June, £16).

Moving from the sounds of Chicago to the beats of Detroit, American born DJ Eric Cloutier brings his deep, atmospheric grooves to the La Cheetah basement on Friday 3 June. Across the breadth of his almost two-decade-long career, Cloutier has played in some of the grandest electronic venues across the globe, counting Berlin’s Berghain and Tresor, and NYC’s The Bunker on his esteemed CV. Melding elements of house, dub and techno, and flipping enticingly melodic tracks with harder-hitting selections, after some years since Cloutier’s last appearance in Glasgow, he certainly makes a welcome return via this month’s Missing Persons Club (£5-8).

Elsewhere in Glasgow, The Berkeley Suite hosts popular Panorama Bar resident Tama Sumo and DJ partner Lakuti on 10 June, in what's sure to be a righteous techno extravaganza (£5-7). Meanwhile, if you’re still lamenting the loss of his late, great, royal Purpleness (and let’s face it, who isn’t) then get yourself Southside for The Rum Shack’s Prince Celebration on 3 June. Originally planned as a knees-up for what would have been the diminutive singer’s birthday, the event will now go ahead as a celebration of his iconic career, with Pro Vinylist Karim, Dirty Larry (Wrong Island) and the Hollywood Boulevard DJs on hand to drop back-to-back Prince bangers. Advance tickets have all been snapped up, but there will a limited number on the door – and if you needed any further encouragement, the event is also a fundraiser for MacMillan Cancer Support (£4-5).

Edinburgh

There’s an education in classic Detroit techno to be had in the capital this month when the one and only Juan Atkins heads up The Mash House on 3 June. Atkins is a bonafide techno legend, widely credited as one of the originators of the genre, alongside Kevin Saunderson and Derrick May (the latter of whom Atkins taught to mix back when the three were starting out). A key figure in the Detroit scene, Atkins founded the famed Metroplex label in 1985 and has also released material under the name Infiniti with Dutch DJ giant Orlando Voorn. No further elaboration necessary, just mark this one as a must-see, with Main Ingredient, Jelly Roll Soul, The Bidler Room and others rounding out the party (£10-15).

Also in Edinburgh this month, Scotland’s moveable techno feast Bigfoot’s Tea Party rolls into Sneaky Pete’s on 10 June, bringing together a revolving but always reliable rota of banging tunes (£5); while back at The Mash House, iconic stalwart producer Andy Weatherall and partner-in-crime Sean Johnston's A Love From Outer Space residency will be a special summer party drawing on the duo’s extensive talents across the sounds of Madchester, British techno, acid house and big beats (24 June, £13).

Dundee

You know warmer weather is on the horizon when festivals start springing up across the country – one such summer offering is Junglism’s Summer Skank Out held at the stately Mains Castle in Dundee. The DJ collective responsible for providing  some of Scotland’s freshest drum'n'bass and jungle beats have assembled a summer showcase featuring Special Ed, Jamin Nimjah, Hex and Calaco Jack, and a raft of other beat-heavy acts to ring in the promise of sunnier skies with an epic 12-hour-long party (Saturday 18 June, £13-20).

Do Not Miss: Agoria @ Sub Club, Friday 24 June

French DJ/Producer and InFine label founder Agoria (real name Sebastien Devaud) brings a touch of je ne sais quoi to Sub Club this month; think hypnotic, deeply melodic tracks as exemplified by the Frenchman’s acclaimed albums Blossom (2003), The Green Armchair (2006) and Impermanence (2011), with rumours currently doing the rounds of a new record in the works.

As well as his InFine platform, Devaud (who has cited techno heavyweight Kevin Saunderson as a pivotal influence in his early career) is also the founder of Nuits Sonores, touted as one of the best European electronic festivals, and has also released inspired remixes of both Moby and Metronomy. Expect a heady, hefty night of eclectic, jazz-and-Detroit techno inspired minimalism.