Test Pressing

“The aim of the night was to bring the talent from around Glasgow and beyond to the big stage and soundsystem. There are so many good underground club nights in Scotland and some excellent DJs, but because the Arches is usually about booking big acts, these local guys rarely get the chance to play the renowned venue.”

Frank Hardy, the promoter behind one of the newest additions to the Arches ever-growing list of club nights, White Label, makes a good point. While some people may argue that the city doesn’t need another night dedicated to techno, minimal and house, White Label does have a unique selling point. Without its existence, it is unlikely that most of the DJs who have previously appeared at the night would have ever had the opportunity to perform at a venue such as The Arches.

Currently preparing for its sixth outing on 18 December, the night has managed to gather talent from other clubs across the country, booking names such as Dirty Basement, Cammie T and Kage from Bonbon, Matthew Craig from One More Tune and Terry White from Optik, among others.

“Most of the acts we have booked run successful nights elsewhere with a small crowd of regular followers. It’s good to give these guys the opportunity to step up to a bigger venue and play a set on one of the best soundsystems around. It’s also a great when the people who have supported these DJs since they began come through and see them in a whole new surrounding, in a line up with other people who share the same idea about what a club night should be about.”

With the first few slots of any evening at White Label taken up by emerging, unsigned talent, the headline acts are usually more established acts. Previous headliners including Soma’s Mr Copy, M_nus's Gary Beck and Jackmaster, the golden boy of the highly respected Numbers collective. While these names will attract the attention of any discerning night owl, it still manages to ensure that the underground ethos of the evening remains intact.

The December date will feature opening sets from Michael Watters of the Gosh night at Pivo Pivo, and Kill The Kid from Don’t Talk To Strangers and the Technobix show on Subcity Radio. Past the midnight hour, Liquid Funk’s Rebecca Vasmant takes to the stage, followed by Tw-Onko and Pasty from Amo Casa and a live performance from Hologram Hookers.

If the thought of a varied punnet of fresh musical produce being brought together under one arch isn’t enough to sway you into attendance, check out this month’s Skinny podcast. Provided by White Label December guest Kill The Kid, point your cursor at www.tinyurl.com/skinnypodcast, and it should be more than enough to remove that fence from your rear.