Decodance: Dance Your Cares Away

The majority of people who are into house music are of a certain age now. I think many only listen to it in the car or dropping the kids off. Nowhere caters for them anymore, explains Darren Laurie, one of Scotland's most prolific promoters and the main force behind Decodance; the new weekly funky house night at Glasgow's Classic Grand. This concept, providing a place where people can enjoy good quality dance music without the ceiling dripping on them, is a promising one for many. With most of Glasgow's venues either providing a dark techno or hard house infused cavern, or a cheesy student based night, there is definitely a hole in the market. With Hed Kandi getting more mozzarella by the second, Darren has invited a plethora of fresh house nights to help him within Glasgow's hippest new venue. Nights such as Pukka Up and the famous Stereotype will be joined by the likes of Diversion and Debunk on rotation.

The special launch night pulled in over 600 people despite going up against Live at Loch Lomond, and it was certainly a lot more mud free. The night is aimed at all ages but is definitely suited to the more glamorous clubber, as Pukka Up resident Rob Wilder explains: "It's a night maybe more for the girls, more like the scene was five years ago, people getting more dressed up and putting that special dress on for the night!" Don't let that fool you into the night being too cheesy however, as the credible list of house DJs such as Deep Groove and Dirty South are also helped by the impressive venue.

The Classic Grand has been restored to its brilliant art deco best, as well as being decked out with a very special club setup. The club features a very special Moet VIP area (you can get a place via e mail) where the VIPs can look out but no-one can see in due to special white material. It also boasts a breathtaking soundsystem and more as Darren explains: "The main room is a stunning space, and it has the best sound in the city." The venue also has a third area offering a more hip-hop feel.

Of the nights on offer, the end of the month special will generally be hosted by Pukka Up. A night famous for its Ibiza parties and residencies across the UK, it's likely to be the wildest night on offer. "I was headliner for Hed Kandi for six years," Resident Rob Wilder tells the Skinny. "I've played the Arches loads through that and it's two totally different venues. You go to the Arches to have it off for the night and get sweaty although at the Grand there is still gonna be that energy, but more vocal led." Pukka Up's reputation has grown with their proactive style of sending CDs out to members monthly and holding Ibiza parties that go head to head with Cocoon and DC10, and yet, are regularly packed. Fresh and funky house will be played alongside old favourites in what Darren Laurie describes as the most "pay day friendly" night.

One of the biggest stories in connection with Decodance is the addition of Stereotype. "Huggy is rightly very protective of Stereotype and is bringing it out of Edinburgh for the first time in 12 years," Darren tells us. The night is one of Edinburgh's most renowned house nights and Huggy is known for playing credible funky music over his globe trotting career. His nights as part of Decodance will also feature many top guests such as Kurd Maverick. With other top Scottish talent such as Debunk's Mallorca Lee and Davy Forbes also featuring regularly, this is a night that offers a glamorous night with a sexy crowd.