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GAY WIGGLE Ego, Edinburgh, Sat 4 Jan
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JANUARY IS TRADITIONALLY a quiet time of year in the world of clubbing - too many hangovers and headaches to nurse. But that’s no reason not to check out some of the great nights on offer this month or look forward to what else 2003 has in store. The Arches in Glasgow, as always, has a formidable line- up, highlights including the return of DJ Sneak (31 January) and an all girl special featuring Miss Kittin, Monika Kruse, Lottie and Heather (25 April) at Pressure; Eddie Halliwell at Freefall (1 February); the Detroit Grand Pubahs at Death Disco (14 March) and the return of
Considering the size and vibrancy of the capital’s gay scene, the number of club nights that cater specifically to it has long been a cause for concern. Caught between the extremes of Joy, a pure dance club playing deep, progressive house and Tackno, a tongue-in-cheek camp fest, there has not until now been a club night to seize the middle ground. Thankfully though, Maggie and Alan Joy have recognised a gap in the market and have since established Wiggle, a monthly showcase at East End venue, Ego. ‘We’ve been doing Joy now for nearly ten years,’ says Alan, ‘and both Maggie and I began to feel that the weekend gay event calendar had been pretty static for
a long time. For a lot of people Joy Inside Out (29 March).
is not their cup of tea - if, say, they HigherGround at the CCA don’t like the progressive house presents Detroit master Mike music that we’ve been playing Grant (8 February).
Meanwhile, through in Edinburgh, Marshall Jefferson plays No Strings Attached (31 January) and Regis is lined up for a live set at Dogma (7 March). Check out our Preview of the Year feature for yet more info.
recently - so we thought that change was about due.’
Instead of promoting the night under the Joy framework, by calling it ‘Joy 2: The World’, for example, Alan wanted to establish an entirely separate identity for Wiggle. Hence, Maggie and Alan don’t DJ at the night and have instead brought in some familiar and some not so familiar faces to DJ with an altogether different playlist at the club. Resident DJs on the main floor are Trendy Wendy and recent Edinburgh resident and
house legend Jon Pleased, playing ‘We’re trying to keep it as gay as possible’, Alan Joy party classics, disco and vocal house while the downstairs lounge has Sally F and have justified the door policy. ‘There are some people Michelle spinning everything from R&B and hip hop to on the gay scene in Edinburgh who don’t really feel punk and ska. comfortable socialising with a lot of straight people,’ Having staged only three nights so far, the reception says Alan. ‘Maybe in the week, they’re living and ~‘ has already been extremely positive. ‘It’s actually been working in a straight environment so at the weekend, DJ Heather incredibly busy so far,’ says Alan. ‘It’s been much better it’s understandable that they want to go somewhere than Maggie and I expected and it certainly seems to that they feel is really theirs. I can really appreciate that MISCHIEF HOLD A CHARITY have got the gay scene’s imagination working again.’ so we’re trying to keep it as gay as possible. I don’t like basn this fortnight r10 January: in In order to do that successfully, Alan and Maggie the idea of sticking in a ghetto situation, but there are aid of the Drake Music Protect have tried hard to make Wiggle an exclusively gay night times when gay people just want to be with other gay Scotland. The PIOJOCII "creates and while this can be problematic, numbers to the night people.’ (Catherine Bromley) opportunities for people \.-.vrth
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FUNHOUSE the kids have ir'ightlyi decided that Through the Project children and Barfly, Glasgow‘ weekly Fri they ve had enough of enorrriodr'omes adults with disabilities are offered filled With ‘crasher kids. dancing to chorce and empowered by Club night l‘unhouse is pitched as intercharigeable "superstar" DJs who independence to take charge ‘garage punk. psyche soul. maxrmum all seem to play the same kind of and achieve musically All this rock'ri'roll'. Promoter and DJ Vic music. Big club promoters have leads to an enhanced duality of Galloway feels no need to elucidate forgotten why people started turning life. increased self-(:()rrfi(ler‘.r;e or. this unusually accurate press up in the first place: belief in a youth and greater self expectations." A blurb. It's there in black and white. movement based on irrusical variety, \Jror‘thwhile cause I'm sure you'll Vic, along with Paul Needles. takes social inclusion and a bloody good agree. so 'v.'.rh\, not show your part in this labour of love because be time for all. support (and sample some of the knows that r‘ock'ri'r‘oll Will never. ever. ltnter the new breed. Galloway and best hip hop and drum 8. bass die. Needles are bereft of pr‘etension in around while you're at it). there's always something their musical selection. ‘We play A PERFECT PRIMER FOR suspicious when a rash of sirriilar club music that makes you say: "(Iome the real sounds of Glasgow is nights emerge iii quick succession. oril'" says Galloway. 'lhere's a line Subcity Radio. Beginning their """ J l unhouse is one of a number of clubs that you can follow between .James first medium wave broadcast battling to recapture hearts and minds Brown. the 13th floor I levators. the this month (1350 AM) and WIN) primal rock music. So why Stooges and the l lives. It's all Just their annual Glasgow-wide should we pay attention to this one in primal rock'n'r'oll. punk tunk stuff and FM broadcast (106.7 FM) 16 particular? Well. one reason we that's what Paul and I love.' February-15 March featuring should note this sea—change in Doing it for the love? Now there's a the likes of Optimo, Mish Paul Needles and Vic Galloway clubbing is that. in the last two years. novel idea. (Johnny Regan) Mash, and Bebado.
2—- l (3 Jan 2003 THE LIST 57