FESTIVAL
'_ Funk up yer fest
So you’re in town for the Festival and want some late night club action? Look no further. Avril Mair knows where the party’s at.
For the uninitiated, nightlife north of the border may come as something of a surprise. A surprise that we actually have any, that is. Contrary to popular opinion, Scots don’t spend their spare time cavorting at ceilidhs. Quite the opposite is true — there is in fact a considerable club scene in existance up here. This scene remains relatively uninfluenced however, paying no more than a nod and a wink of acknowledgement to its southern counterpart. And what a good thing this is too. Instead ofjumping on the London bandwaggon, promoters on both the east and west coasts prefer instead to do things their own way, which is probably why the excitement that arrived with the warehouse party boom remains here, instead of evaporating in a tide of commercialism as it did in the Big Smoke.
Yup, as you will discover, the spirit
of 88 still exists; with air horns, whistles and tracky bottoms much in evidence at the bigger raves. That’s not to say that the Scots are trying desperately to revive acid house —
. rather it‘s the attitude, the atmosphere, the sheer thrill of 6000 arms raised to the roof. That’s what it’s all about. And that’s why Edinburgh’s Pure posse are celebrating their first birthday, on 9 August at The Venue. With a bpm count higher than the US budget deficit, it’s not hard to see why this has earned a reputation as the city’s finest dance club. Heavy house, techno, bleeps and that all-important bassline attract a regular crowd of several hundred ecstatic revellers, and, with a second night added on Saturdays, they look set to attract several hundred more. Surely 2000 members just can’t be wrong?
At the same location and following the same groove is Playtime 1; nine hours of hardcore action on 25 August from 8pm—4am. Billed as the Festival summer rave, attractions include a massive turbo sound , system, multicolour laser strobes and a DJ line-up of Grooverider, Andy Carrol, and Mr C. Tickets cost £10 in advance, available at all TOCI’ A agents— Virgin or Ripping Records in Edinburgh. For further info call 031 664 3770.
The beat slows down at Tattoo.
L
(currently Edinburgh‘s trendiest club), which presents dressed-up dance for a discerning cosmopolitan crowd. Situated in a small location. well hidden in the depths of the Cowgate, the venue is unusual, and hot, hot hot. As is the music — a mix ofgarage, ltalo house, funk and disco. An added attraction during the Festival is a line-up of live acts; first up on 16 August is Glasgow band Dove, a recent signing to the renowned Boys’ Own label.
Live music is also on the bill at the Fringe Club — although not exactly dance orientated, it must be said. However, their downstairs disco is sure to get you on the floor; it’s hosted by the boys behind Shag. possibly Scotland’s silliest clubrunners. They have based their phenomenal success on juvenile sexual euphemism, a playlist comprising ofAmerican B-movie sountracks, and a propensity for distributing free candy — ingredients guaranteed to give a good time. Or so they tell me.
For those not inclined towards bad taste party music, either the Mambo Club or the Mambo Inn may provide an acceptable solution. Both specialise in around the world stylee - calypso and soca at the former, Latin and jazz at the latter. Both are also running every night during the festival, so there’s plenty of opportunity to try each out.
But if it’s something a little more conventionally glamorous you‘re looking for, then you could domuch
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worse than try Edinburgh’s latest nightlife experience — Century 2000. Formerly the old Amphitheatre. refurbished at the phenomenal cost of£1 million. it is now a state-of-the-art high-class discotheque for the over-21$. Dress up to impress, as they say.
If. however, you‘re not sure just what you’re looking for, then try the UN Club at the Calton Studios. They’ve got six different club nights, featuring six different types of music — surely something to please everybody? Choose between house moves and indie grooves, disco and electro house, alternative dance and shameless 603, 705 and 805 tastelessness. You can‘t? I‘m not surprised.
Whatever you choose, however, in Edinburgh there’s only one way to
round off the evening and that’s at
Millionaires. The favourite
- late-night hang-out ofclubbers, club
runners and those who just won’t go to bed. due to its extra long licence it‘s the best place to be when
everywhere else has closed. The Fall
obviously think so too, they hold a
3 Festival party here on 30 August. 7 This may well be where our spirit of
88 evaporates. Mark E. Smith in trainers and tracky bottoms? Not bloody likely, matey. But, then again', in Edinburgh during August, anything is possible . . .
I Forturther Info on all the above clubs. and details on others, see Edinburgh Clubs listings on the following page.
I The Mambo Inn The ‘Mutha of all Clubs‘ moves north from its Brixton base to funk up the Festival with a Mystic Mambo Mix. That’s Latin, African, jazz and ska ‘n’ b to you and me. The Playhouse Studios, every night during the Festival. 11pm—4am.
I The UN Club All the way from Brighton, the United Notions Organisation bring you six wildly varied club nights. Something to please everyone, no doubt. Choose from dodgy disco. indie moves, house grooves, seminal funk sounds or an orgy of 605 tastelessness.
The Calton Studios, Sunday—Friday during the Festival. 11pm—4am.
I Tattoo No, not that Tattoo. This is an altogether more groovy experience. Currently Edinburgh‘s trendiest club, presenting upfront dance sounds — garage, piano house, soul and disco— to a cosmopolitan crowd.
The Designer Frames Gallery, Wednesday—Sunday during the Festival.
1 [pm—4am.
I Pure Edinburgh‘s finest dance club, presenting high bpm sounds to a clued-up crowd. A membership scheme is in operation to eliminate the city's undesirable element — but all you nice people have to do is go down to the venue and fill in awee form before you gain admittance. It‘s worth it. The Venue, every Friday during the Festival.
1 Ipm—4am.
I The Fringe Club Okay, so the Fringe Club isn‘t, everybody’s cup of tea, but it can provide a jolly good night out just once in a while. Unpretentious dance sounds by the boys behind Shag, every night except Wed 21 and 28, when it's the turn of the Nightime Radio Scotland Crew. And ifmusic wasn’t enough, there‘s also comedy, cabaret, and a ceilidh as well.
Teviot Row, every night during the Festival. 9pm—2.30am.
V
lt’s1.3uam and the Fringe has just about closed down.
at one otthese nlte-spots?
The List9-15 August 1991 55