Sounds of the Summer
Sound and Vision: Horst 2023
September 8, 2023
Comment: Waking Life & the value of the dancefloor
October 12, 2023
Before the nights get shorter and we fixate on winter programming, we pay homage to our favourite sets over the past few months.
Ark - Hoppetosse
As with life’s best, our early summer trip to MS Hopposse was a spontaneous one. Following a customary rejection from one of Berlin’s more typical techno spaces, a quick glance at apple maps brought with it a knowing smile. Hoppetosse, the sister venue of legendary Club Der Visionnaire, was a 20 minute walk away, with Pit Spector, The Mole and Ark captaining the ship.
A relatively warm embrace from the staff was a welcome change, epitomising the unpretentious nature of the club space that carries from door-staff to dancer. Equipped with a custom built system, the first impression stepping into the venue's ‘upper deck’ is one of bewilderment. How can sound design be so balanced and defined, on a boat that was built in the 1920s, and allegedly struck by a torpedo during the second world war?
French minimal pioneer, Ark, was taking full advantage of the system's capability on entrance. A far cry from his quirky productions and vocally-scattered live sets, Ark kept the energy high to a small but engaged crowd.
Scintillating minimal techno, lurching from psychedelic to a tougher, almost metallic sound filled the wooden space. As early morning turned late and the crowd continued to thin, the intimate character of the venue grew, with Ark holding eye contact and distributing knowing nods to those anticipating the next rolling bassline.
The sound, programming and unique space at Hoppetosse drew us back the following evening, where LuckIsOn’s Mayell and Tzena were taking the reins. This all-aboard weekend will be one etched into memory for a very long time.
Nicolas Lutz - The Cause
Picture the scene: It’s been a very long (and very good) day in the dance. The venue’s been oversold and by the crush of bodies you can tell. If someone was lobbying for an early taxi home, you might well be receptive. Then, blasting out of the speakers arrives a crazy tom loop - propulsive and hypnotic - Lutz has arrived and all will be well.
We caught the Uruguayan maestro at a day/night party at the Cause in May. He played 1-3am, coming towards the end of what had been an offering of fairly safe sets: a stellar lineup (Voigtmann, Data Memory Access and DJ Masda among others) but one very much in the realm of tech house. In contrast, Lutz stepped up and provided two hours of anything but comfortable selections. Spooky synths and great waves of distortion washed over the dancefloor, punctuated by ample off beat snares and claps. Despite stepping on the decks at peak time, he brought the tempo down by what felt like 115-120bpm without any loss of momentum, providing a lesson in adventurous and intelligent mixing as he did so.
Few DJs build and sustain an atmosphere like Nicolas Lutz and here he displayed that talent to full effect. We left enthralled by his skill and ready to take greater risks in the booth - clear signs of a master at work.
Fictions #59 w/ Minor Science, N.E. Girl, Nono Gigsta & Sarj
Self-described as a “pub on acid”, sameheads is a music venue with multiple strings to its bow. One of countless night owl venues in Berlin, home to live gigs, avant garde visual art exhibitions and pub quizzes, this is a multi-faceted entity.
Arriving just after midnight, Fictions’ head honchos (Minor Science & Nono Gigsta) were amid a rolling b2b2b2b with N.E. Girl & Sarj where the vibe was distinctly down-tempo, driven by rumbling low-ends and sluggish snares. Locked in, an attentive crowd demonstrated approval through a unified languid sway. Within a couple of hours this energy conserving style of dance started to seem very sensible.
In what felt like the flip of a switch, the leisurely nature of proceedings then rapidly accelerated. Ambient dub & experimental downtempo rhythms were substituted for an array of all things speedy. Warping UK Bass, melodious footwork & left-leaning techno were all coolly weaved together, producing a powerful energy with all prior dance move reservations suspended.
As temperatures & the BPM rose, a friendly address was broadcast from one of the Fictions crew, who shall remain nameless, informing punters that complimentary homemade psychedelic truffles were available for those who narcotically swing that way. Dustings of dark cocoa and notes of coconut with gooey ganache centres were the flavour specifics, so we’re told.
Withstanding the psychoactive revelry, it was the gripping selections & the warm, inclusive atmosphere that were the chief reasons why this extended b2b2b2b was such a memorable experience. And whilst at points the offerings of blistering bass sounded downright mean, the vibes could not have been any more welcoming/charming. You can catch the next Fictions Party at Sameheads in November.
Zip - Houghton
We’ve spoken at length about Houghton Festival already this year. Sets from the likes of Bobby., Powder, Isolée and many more blew us away, with sound and stage design matching the coveted lineup. But we couldn’t let the summer die out without dropping a few lines on Zip’s sunrise set.
With a unified song of praise already radiating from a diverse audience, we’re not going to spend time dissecting anything here. But it really doesn’t get much better than this. Stellar percussion, rolling basslines, glitches, pops and the occasional ethereal track made for a sublime Sunday morning as the Norfolk sun began to peak through the trees and reflect across the lake.
There’s a quote from an article that alleges many towards the start of this set were waiting for a moment that never came. This does those in attendance a disservice. Zip flicked through a catalogue of characteristically weird sounds, serving deep house and minimal to a crowd that didn’t really thin past 5am - If there’s one place in the UK where the intricacies of Perlon would be welcomed with open arms, it’s probably going to be Houghton.
Almost certainly not for the last time, Zip justified his revered status in the scene.
