_ www.list.co.uk/clubs
A
Liingor the weekend
‘PEOPLE NEED TO CONNECT WITH SOMETHING'
’ Buraka Som Sistoma
David Pollock checks out the live acts gracing the stages at various club nights across Glasgow and Edinburgh for the final ever Triptych
crucial than ever. It’s nothing new to declare ;
F or the last ever Triptych, performance is more ;
bands who find their natural habitat in clubs
as a developed and established trend over the last
couple of years. What does seem worth commenting v
on, however, is just how completely they have come
to take over. In 2008, if your club night doesn’t , come with a band, a laptop MC or at least a DJ with ;
some kind of well-thought-out stage shtick, you’re
guest record player happens to be astonishingly good.
bookings into an evening and make it easier for fans to take in a couple of shows in one night. have been
Afro) will surely skate closest to the zeitgeist over
the weekend.
A favourite of style mag hip priests in recent months. 885 are a trio of producers (two Portuguese. one Angolan) who play kuduro. a type of African hip hop which the group blend with techno in the Angolan precincts of their home city.
While they often play as a full band with a troupe of
; backing dancers. this will be the slimmed-down but in the minority. A pretty boring one too, unless your
still vibrant DJs and MC set. ‘If we DJ without an MC.‘ says 888‘ Joao ‘Li‘l
; lohn’ Pekeno. ‘I find it impossible to stand for two Triptych, presumably in an effort to squeeze more ;
at the forefront of this movement in Scotland. This year, a selection of artists old and new (to the festival and otherwise) takes to the stage after .
midnight, and they’re a broad church. For the old-
timers — and certainly bearing in mind her famous collaboration with The Source on ‘You Got the ‘
Love’ — Candi Staton will introduce some after hours lovin’ to the party. London reggae legend Jah Shaka brings his soundsystem north for a couple of parties which couldn’t work any way other than
long into the night, while improvisational masters
The Bays and recently converted ‘white Prince‘ Jamie Lidell will also be showing up in the small hours. Yet, with the disappointing news that Krautfunk choir Chrome Hoof have had to pull out of their Optimo date (Alter Ego are set to fill the gap), Lisbon’s Buraka Som Sistema (playing Kinky
38 THE LIST 24 Apr—8 May 2008
hours in front of people and not communicate. even if I have to stop the music and say a few words. People need to connect with something. and if they do it makes the show go smoother. the time doesn‘t take so long to pass. I find it helps to sing to people for two or three songs. at least.‘
He adds: ‘We also have our live show. which makes us really feel like this is a proper project. We take it to clubs. with the visuals. the drums and even more interaction with the crowd. but the reaction‘s just the same as the DJ set. People still dance.‘
The comparison between both shows is one we won‘t see here or. in fact. ever again at Triptych. Once the festival‘s over for good. however. that
music which is closest to the cutting edge is
increasingly going to be found way past bedtime.
Triptych, various venues, Glasgow 8. Edinburgh, Fri 25-Sun 27 Apr, see listings for details.
DST ' >l<
THEB'EsT DANCEii'owoé’i‘CTION
>i= Triptych There are almost too many highlights at too many venues; from Candi Staton to Model 500 every club night is well worth a look. Various venues. Glasgow & Edinburgh, Fri 25—Sun 27 Apr.
* Adventures Close to Home One of London’s most reputable indie discos starts its Glasgow residency. with live bands South Central and Hot Club De Paris. The Admiral, Glasgow, Fri 25 Apr.
7% Pressure Another huge set of big-name techno guests including Dave Clarke, Slam, DJ Sneak and The Black Dog. The Arches, Glasgow, Fri 25 Apr.
>i< Hell . . . or heaven, if your idea of a celestial chorus is dark and moody minimal techno. from guest Luke Slater (pictured). Classic Grand, Glasgow, Fri 2 May.
* Pinup Nights One of Glasgow‘s best indie discos featuring guest DJs Guto and Bunf (Super Furry Animals), and a fistful of live bands. The Winchester, Glasgow, Fri 2 May. >l< Xpllcit Top drum & bass action from TC and MC Jakes (D-styles/Valve). The Bongo Club, Edinburgh, Fri 2 May.
* Fever The Taste offshoot reaches it's fourth birthday, so time to celebrate with Paul Heaton on guest duties. Ego, Edinburgh, Sat 3 May
>i< Tackno The popular night comes out of the closet for a ‘Gay’ special. GHQ, Edinburgh, Sun 4 May
>i< We Love Ego May Day Spectacular With a BBQ transforming into the chance to dance to Tim Sheridan and more (for those with the stamina) we love Ego too. Ego, Edinburgh, Sun 4 May
>i= Grindhouse New drum & bass night that wants to be the next Manga. With DJ Madcap as opening guest that might not be an idle boast. Citrus Club, Edinburgh, Wed 7 May