When the Sun Goes Down: Riverside Festival Preview

Thank heaven for the summer months, when we can look forward to increased opportunities to bring clubbing out from darkened sweatpits and into the light, as festivals of all shapes and sizes start to appear across the country, many making use of some great spaces to offer a different kind of partying experience. One such event, which has grown considerably since its inception, is the Electric Frog and Pressure Riverside Festival. Held at the end of the month on the site of Glasgow’s Riverside Museum, the party is spread across two days and features a varied and impressive line-up of local and international talent.

Friday this year is heavy on techno with the likes of Detroit legend Robert Hood performing a DJ set under his popular Floorplan guise, Blawan and Pariah belting out their brand of dark dancefloor wreckers as Karenn, and Pressure regular Len Faki joining residents Slam to keep things rolling along nicely. There is also an appearance by Siriusmodeselektor – the live collaboration of the Modeselektor duo and label mate Siriusmo – as well as a set by German house maestro Prosumer. For our money, the appearances of Ben UFO, Joy Orbison and Midland should be among the main highlights, all coming with a trusted reputation for excellent selection and energy. The bill is rounded off by sets from local party crews Animal Farm and Thunder Disco Club.

Saturday sees the appearance of Cocoon heavyweight Sven Väth, while the visit of another Detroit legend in the shape of Carl Craig will no doubt be a highlight for many. We can also look forward to the ever-engaging Ricardo Villalobos, minimalist magic from Magda and POPOF, and the soulful sounds of Ron Trent (see this month’s main feature for an interview with the man himself). Russian techno queen Nina Kraviz will also be a big draw for many, having belted it out for Pressure at The Arches in recent years. Finally, there are welcome places on the bill for Horse Meat Disco, Theo Kottis and the Wrong Island DJs, whose parties have been among the most interesting held within Glasgow’s underground scene in the last few years.   

The festival is split between different areas and the addition of the Sunset Stage sounds like a particularly intriguing prospect, making this year’s event the biggest yet. Among those on the line-up for the new arena are Glasgow institution Optimo (also playing the main stage). Over the years, duo Twitch and Wilkes gained local notoriety and later international acclaim with their innovative approach to throwing parties. They will be on hand to showcase their masterful take on selection, which takes in sounds from a dizzying array of styles and pays no attention to the folly of having to represent a certain scene. "I'd argue we don't have an ‘anything goes vibe’ though," says Keith McIvor (aka Twitch). "Rather, we are looking for a certain feeling in music in general that connects various forms, and thus everything we play shares that perhaps indefinable bond."

"But 99% of music out there offends our ears, so we are only working with a tiny percentage of the music that exists. We generally find what we do can often translate better in a more intimate arena, and the other artists playing with us will hopefully complement each other, rather than battling to see who can get the most fists pumping the air."

Also bringing their brand of partying to the Sunset Stage are Melting Pot, whose resident DJ Andrew Pirie echoes McIvor’s sentiments: "Playing in smaller, more intimate spaces is always preferable as it means you can get away with playing a wider variety of music than you might be able to on a big stage." He suspects the styles covered will range from disco and house to funk, soul, jazz and everything in between. "Everyone that's playing is a huge music lover, which means they'll be digging deep and playing some incredible music whatever the genre.

"The line-up for our stage is full of people we really like and admire. Whilst most people will know about Ron Trent and Horse Meat Disco, I think they should also keep an eye out for the others – after seeing Kelvin Andrew play a fantastic sunset slot at Electric Elephant, he's definitely one to catch. He’s someone that can really read the crowd and situation and soundtrack it to perfection. His partner in Down To The Sea and Back, Balearic Mike, is also a big favourite of mine. These guys have great collections and make sure there's never a dull moment!”