Memorable movements ’24 : Subterra at La Peniche Cinema
Paris syndrome is defined as a state of severe culture shock, experienced by a visitor when Paris fails to live up to expectation. Our own experience of Parisian affliction was not so much a case of culture shock, but rather a lingering hangover from the Nostromo fiasco of last summer. The last-minute cancellation of the festival (with ticket refunds still yet to be seen) left us well and truly crestfallen. And yet still, Paris’ rich musical heritage (Laurent Garnier, Cabanne, Daft Punk) and its burgeoning new wave of talent (Charonne, Noiro & Tau Car) meant expectations had crept up to worryingly high levels once more.
Alas, we kicked off our night in Paris with a refreshed vigour and an assortment of daytime Boulangerie purchases buoying our high hopes.
Spending earlier hours of the evening in a repurposed train station, showcasing grungy fast paced rhythms, we were steadily approaching the desired fluidity for the night’s affairs. Carrying the tagline of “jazz club”, La Gare offered a hugely eclectic variety which enables it to be so much more.
As twilight drew in, we watched an entranced individual play an electric guitar with a drumstick, we looked on with equal measures of entrancement. The foundations for a night of cultural education were strong.
Drinks were drunk and customary road-cigs were rolled, it was time to begin the short journey on the Paris Métro to La Peniche Cinema.
Afloat Canal Saint-Martin within the Parc de la Villette on the outskirts of the 19th Arrondissement, La Peniche Cinema refuses to be pigeonholed as a club. Aside from being a space for party goers to let loose, the venue hosts film festivals, Sunday brunches and an extensive music programme. On this particularly chilly February night - a Parisian/Turin fusion, courtesy of local crew Subterra.
The immediate impression when descending the stairs onto the lower deck was the venue’s Tardis like quality and hospitable acoustics. Resident Bienvenüe was getting hips moving with a neat arrangement of punchy beats which evoked affirming nods from a growingly animated crowd.
It soon hit 3am and the headliner got to work, laying down his distinct sound. Known for dark and steadily evolving sets, Sarde reliably worked through twisted low-end concoctions, manipulated vocals and clean track blending. Record after record mixed with formidable precision could only be rivalled by the coherence of selections which provided a 3 hour soundtrack to a club packed with energy and movement.
Leaving no time to waste, Subterra resident Busticaccia took over selection duties from 6am onwards with an immediate provision of French groove and electro-house. Enthusiasm remained prominent throughout a packed out dance floor right until close at 8am. Spirits were soaring and Parisian love was in the air as frequencies turned Italo for the last 30 minutes or so, finishing with My Mine’s ‘Hypnotic Tango’.
A metric of enjoyability can be observed from remaining dancers at close time, and in this case a packed out dance floor spoke loud and clear.
Light flooded the dimly lit vessel, and music came to a halt as bleary-eyed clubbers slowly trickled onto land. Accompanied by last remaining cigarettes and fresh February air, all that was left to do was immerse with the steady emergence of Sunday morning commuters before settling down for some shut-eye.
Light flooded the dimly lit vessel, and music came to a halt as bleary-eyed clubbers slowly trickled onto land. Accompanied by last remaining cigarettes and fresh February air, all that was left to do was immerse with the steady emergence of Sunday morning commuters before settling down for some shut-eye.
