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A Non-Russian New Year!
World Wide · 20.12.2006
By Илья Розов
44100Hz continues to explore dancefloors abroad in search of New Year's parties and all sorts of festivities on the eve of 2007. This time our attention fell on events in Foggy Albion, American parties and one merry Swiss affair. Finding yourself at one of them on 31 December would, indeed, be a pretty good cover story...
Read the first part of the article here...
GREAT BRITAIN
A trendsetter of musical fashion and a supplier of the latest club trends, England has lost a bit of ground lately, but the world's best parties are still held here, and its DJs and artists give the rest of the DJ profession a run for their money. England gave the world rave culture, which everyone now disparages and exploits every which way, but real ravers remember what it's all about. And the label "made in Great Britain" is invariably a mark of high quality — whether it's Paul Oakenfold or Jack the Ripper.
Name:
Nude Years Eve
Venue: Ministry Of Sound, 103 Gaunt Street, Elephant & Castle, London
Time: from 21:00 to 07:00
Price: 35 pounds
What: "Nude New Year" — under this name the visitors of the Mecca of the commercial club scene, the club Ministry of Sound, will give themselves over to revelry. The programme promises acrobats, trapeze gymnasts, transvestites and strippers — in short, everything without which a celebration is no celebration. On the main dancefloor Smokin Joe and X-Press 2 are playing; in the bar, Kenny Hawkes and D'Julz. You can feel however you like about the club's "sell-out" nature, but it must be admitted that MoS packs a full house every weekend for good reason. And what will be going on there on New Year's night...
Venue: Ministry Of Sound, 103 Gaunt Street, Elephant & Castle, London
Time: from 21:00 to 07:00
Price: 35 pounds
What: "Nude New Year" — under this name the visitors of the Mecca of the commercial club scene, the club Ministry of Sound, will give themselves over to revelry. The programme promises acrobats, trapeze gymnasts, transvestites and strippers — in short, everything without which a celebration is no celebration. On the main dancefloor Smokin Joe and X-Press 2 are playing; in the bar, Kenny Hawkes and D'Julz. You can feel however you like about the club's "sell-out" nature, but it must be admitted that MoS packs a full house every weekend for good reason. And what will be going on there on New Year's night...
Name:
Fabric NYE
Venue: Fabric, 77a Charterhouse St, Clerkenwell, EC1M 3HN, London
Time: from 21:30 to 09:30
Price: 35 pounds
What: At the cult London club Fabric they know how to show a person a good time. About New Year's night only the lineup is known. But even that's enough to make your heart beat faster: the first dancefloor is ruled by lively, stylistically consistent electro-tech-house served up by Craig Richards, Toby Newman, Booka Shade (live) and the sensation of 2006, Fuckpony (live). On the second-largest — but not second in importance — dancefloor, the universal favourite Erol Alkan plays alongside the breaks king Meat Katie. And on the third, softest and warmest dancefloor reign the deep geniuses Âme and Dixon. So if you find yourself in London on New Year's night — here's yet another place where you won't be ashamed to part with your hard-earned 35 pounds.
Venue: Fabric, 77a Charterhouse St, Clerkenwell, EC1M 3HN, London
Time: from 21:30 to 09:30
Price: 35 pounds
What: At the cult London club Fabric they know how to show a person a good time. About New Year's night only the lineup is known. But even that's enough to make your heart beat faster: the first dancefloor is ruled by lively, stylistically consistent electro-tech-house served up by Craig Richards, Toby Newman, Booka Shade (live) and the sensation of 2006, Fuckpony (live). On the second-largest — but not second in importance — dancefloor, the universal favourite Erol Alkan plays alongside the breaks king Meat Katie. And on the third, softest and warmest dancefloor reign the deep geniuses Âme and Dixon. So if you find yourself in London on New Year's night — here's yet another place where you won't be ashamed to part with your hard-earned 35 pounds.
Name:
Renaissance NYE
Venue: Canvas, Kings Cross Freight Yard, York Way, Kings Cross, London
Time: from 21:00 to 06:00
Price: 35 pounds
What: The "Renaissance" party series has been to every corner of the world, even the most remote, like St Petersburg. And everywhere it's held, it instils the very highest quality of music — albeit in a somewhat one-sided, progressive form. On New Year's night, however, everything will change — the main mission of filling the celebration with music has been entrusted to the Groove Armada collective, who are sure to surprise the guests with an eclectic set. Of course, the night won't pass without UK progressive — old acquaintances and world stars James Zabiela, Dave Seaman and Paul Woolford are in charge of that. Surprises are in store on the décor front too — the Canvas club will unveil a new interior design. Rumour has it there'll be raw-brick walls and richly decorated chandeliers, not to mention new sound and lighting systems.
Venue: Canvas, Kings Cross Freight Yard, York Way, Kings Cross, London
Time: from 21:00 to 06:00
Price: 35 pounds
What: The "Renaissance" party series has been to every corner of the world, even the most remote, like St Petersburg. And everywhere it's held, it instils the very highest quality of music — albeit in a somewhat one-sided, progressive form. On New Year's night, however, everything will change — the main mission of filling the celebration with music has been entrusted to the Groove Armada collective, who are sure to surprise the guests with an eclectic set. Of course, the night won't pass without UK progressive — old acquaintances and world stars James Zabiela, Dave Seaman and Paul Woolford are in charge of that. Surprises are in store on the décor front too — the Canvas club will unveil a new interior design. Rumour has it there'll be raw-brick walls and richly decorated chandeliers, not to mention new sound and lighting systems.
Name:
Chemical New Year
Venue: Turnmills, 63b Clerkenwell Road, London
Time: from 20:00 to 06:00
Price: 45 pounds
What: At the club "Turnmills" the celebration will be conceptual; the theme of New Year's night is "My favourite pop/rock idol". Each guest is invited to dress up as a rock or pop star, no matter which: you can be the frontman of a "Manchester wave" band, a boy from a boy band, a hairy metalhead or a baggy-trousered hip-hopper. Or, who knows, one of the Spice Girls — anything goes on this night. All the more so when the Chemical Brothers themselves are at the decks, backed up by Justin Robertson and other artists.
Venue: Turnmills, 63b Clerkenwell Road, London
Time: from 20:00 to 06:00
Price: 45 pounds
What: At the club "Turnmills" the celebration will be conceptual; the theme of New Year's night is "My favourite pop/rock idol". Each guest is invited to dress up as a rock or pop star, no matter which: you can be the frontman of a "Manchester wave" band, a boy from a boy band, a hairy metalhead or a baggy-trousered hip-hopper. Or, who knows, one of the Spice Girls — anything goes on this night. All the more so when the Chemical Brothers themselves are at the decks, backed up by Justin Robertson and other artists.
Name:
Issst
Venue: a secret location, London
Time: from 21:00 to 06:00
Price: 35 pounds
What: Back in the day, the Issst parties hosted the UK debut of the well-known project Digitalism, and Alan Braxe chose Issst for his world debut. And on New Year's night the promo group with the amusing name Politburo promises to exceed the boldest expectations, having invited as headliners the electro geniuses Tiefschwarz and the pioneers of the neo-rave style, the band Klaxons. The party will take place at a secret location in the eastern part of London, whose whereabouts will be revealed a week before New Year. Two huge interconnected hangars are promised, and past experience says that this is the kind of party everyone would want to be at.
Venue: a secret location, London
Time: from 21:00 to 06:00
Price: 35 pounds
What: Back in the day, the Issst parties hosted the UK debut of the well-known project Digitalism, and Alan Braxe chose Issst for his world debut. And on New Year's night the promo group with the amusing name Politburo promises to exceed the boldest expectations, having invited as headliners the electro geniuses Tiefschwarz and the pioneers of the neo-rave style, the band Klaxons. The party will take place at a secret location in the eastern part of London, whose whereabouts will be revealed a week before New Year. Two huge interconnected hangars are promised, and past experience says that this is the kind of party everyone would want to be at.
USA
The States gave the world more than just the war in Iraq and McDonald's. We mustn't forget that America is an enormous country, and there's room in it for both good and bad. As, in principle, in any state — from Botswana to Russia. For every Hollywood piece of hackwork there's a Sundance festival winner, and for every Britney Spears there's an Elvis. Looking at the big picture, without America there'd be no jazz and no blues. Although, on the other hand, there'd be no country music either. In short, the history of the USA is torn by contradictions, but that's no reason not to have fun, is it? Especially if you suddenly find yourself in California, have decked out a palm tree and taken a dip in the ocean before the celebration — what could stop you from letting loose?
Name:
Together as one
Venue: LA Sports Arena, Los Angeles
Time: from 19:30 to 04:30
Price: 75 dollars
What: The New Year's party "Together as One" is being held for the 9th time already, invariably drawing "thousands of beautiful people", as the press release puts it. Just how beautiful the people heading to a sports arena (in our terms: a Palace of Sport) for New Year are is debatable, but the fact remains: these people will be entertained by the best artists from around the world. The Dutch lord of euro-trance Paul van Dyk joins forces with Deep Dish, Marco V, Christopher Lawrence and other heroes of mass dancing, while on the dnb arena the rhythm will be broken up by the legendary duo Ed Rush & Optical and by Dieselboy. Interestingly, there's no age restriction for this party.
Venue: LA Sports Arena, Los Angeles
Time: from 19:30 to 04:30
Price: 75 dollars
What: The New Year's party "Together as One" is being held for the 9th time already, invariably drawing "thousands of beautiful people", as the press release puts it. Just how beautiful the people heading to a sports arena (in our terms: a Palace of Sport) for New Year are is debatable, but the fact remains: these people will be entertained by the best artists from around the world. The Dutch lord of euro-trance Paul van Dyk joins forces with Deep Dish, Marco V, Christopher Lawrence and other heroes of mass dancing, while on the dnb arena the rhythm will be broken up by the legendary duo Ed Rush & Optical and by Dieselboy. Interestingly, there's no age restriction for this party.
Name:
Deep New Year
Venue: Vanguard, 6021 Hollywood Blvd, Los Angeles
Time: from 21:00 to 04:00
Price: 150 dollars
What: At the club Vanguard, in Hollywood, all night long (which in Los Angeles for some reason ends at 4 a.m.) the famous Ben Watt — a thin man with astonishing taste — will play for those gathered in the shadow of Hollywood's stars. He'll be joined by another, no less distinguished musician, the inventor of "mushroom jazz", Mark Farina. Outside (yes, yes — outdoors, on New Year) the delicate Marques Wyatt is put in charge. If that's not enough to make you leave 150 dollars at the door, here's some more information: a free bar all night. And that's a real chance to end up by the edge of a pool in the morning in the company of Pamela Anderson and her friends. Go for it!
Venue: Vanguard, 6021 Hollywood Blvd, Los Angeles
Time: from 21:00 to 04:00
Price: 150 dollars
What: At the club Vanguard, in Hollywood, all night long (which in Los Angeles for some reason ends at 4 a.m.) the famous Ben Watt — a thin man with astonishing taste — will play for those gathered in the shadow of Hollywood's stars. He'll be joined by another, no less distinguished musician, the inventor of "mushroom jazz", Mark Farina. Outside (yes, yes — outdoors, on New Year) the delicate Marques Wyatt is put in charge. If that's not enough to make you leave 150 dollars at the door, here's some more information: a free bar all night. And that's a real chance to end up by the edge of a pool in the morning in the company of Pamela Anderson and her friends. Go for it!
SWITZERLAND
The land of Alpine meadows, cheeses, watches and banks doesn't give the impression of being capable of inspiring wild New Year's adventures. But that's at first glance. The clean air of the mountain chalets awakens harmony in the soul and energy in the legs — energy you needn't be ashamed to spend on dancing. And don't mind the sheep — even if they understand something, they're hardly likely to tell anyone.
Name:
Glamourama
Venue: Supermarket, Geroldstrasse 17, 8005 Zurich
Time: from 20:00 to 14:00
Price: 45 euros
What: Douglas Coupland's dreams of destroying supermarkets may become reality. For the New Year madness the organizers have rented out an entire store that you can smash to smithereens with a clear conscience. The party's name refers to the immortal work by B. E. Ellis, "Glamorama", which became a bible for the "glamour generation". The book's grisly ending will not, I hope, repeat itself — and besides, what cruelty and aggression could there be when one dancefloor is run by Poker Flat's most tender and delicate artist, Martin Landsky, and the other by his colleague from the same label, Guido Schneider.
Venue: Supermarket, Geroldstrasse 17, 8005 Zurich
Time: from 20:00 to 14:00
Price: 45 euros
What: Douglas Coupland's dreams of destroying supermarkets may become reality. For the New Year madness the organizers have rented out an entire store that you can smash to smithereens with a clear conscience. The party's name refers to the immortal work by B. E. Ellis, "Glamorama", which became a bible for the "glamour generation". The book's grisly ending will not, I hope, repeat itself — and besides, what cruelty and aggression could there be when one dancefloor is run by Poker Flat's most tender and delicate artist, Martin Landsky, and the other by his colleague from the same label, Guido Schneider.
Bottom line: Of course, these are far from all the parties, but even a small selection of them shows that people all over the world are preparing with all their might. And it doesn't matter where you'll be seeing in the New Year — on the ocean shore, sprawled on the warm sand, or in an icy igloo, skinning a frozen fish to chase down your "firewater". What matters is the mood, and may yours be wonderful. Happy New Year!