Alex Kidd
‘YOU'VE GOT TO MAKE WHAT YOU DO A BIG DEAL FOR PEOPLE'
Full spectrum
David Pollock checks out 2008's biggest dance event as Coloursfest descends on Glasgow for another marathon of house, trance and old school
couple of issues ago. in this very space. we wrote of the supposed ‘death’ and renaissance of superclubs in Britain (well. it was the club night Renaissance that was being discussed at the
time). In Scotland. though. our superclub has never
gone away. (‘olours still rolls on alter almost two decades in the business. while the undoubted highlight of their year remains the (‘oloursl'est dance music festival. which is about to hold its seventh annual event.
What‘s its secret'.’ ‘You‘ve got to make what you do a big deal for people.' says (‘olours head Ricky Magowan. ‘Whether it’s (‘oloursl'est or our monthly nights at the Arches. we really try to fill the hill with big names. to let people know they're going to he getting something special. It’s the big stars who keep drawing people in.’
(‘oloursl‘est's 2008 vintage certainly isn‘t wanting in
terms ol‘ big names. The main styles catered for over
six separate arenas are trance and hard dance. with diversions into tech—house. lbi/a house and. of course. good old-fashioned rave music. In the (‘olours/lnside ()ut arena. though. it‘s trance which holds sway. as the hugely popular Paul Van l)yk takes headline status. hacked up by Radio 1's Judge Jules and more.
Ministry of Sound‘s (iallery night takes over the second arena with a massive line-up which includes Tall Paul. liaitliless‘ Sister Bliss. Nick Warren. Dave Seaman and Scotland's own (‘hris Lake. The Tidy Boys lead the hard dance sounds on stage three. heading a hill which also includes Alex Kidd and Lisa Pin Up. while John Jones. Luke Neville and (‘arl llanaghan are in lled Kandi's smoother l’ourth arena.
42 THE LIST 5) 1‘.) .Jun 7008
The Back to the Future Arena will be monopolising rave sounds for the day. with Technohoy and 'l‘ommyknocker leading the charge. And linally. Dave Pearce and Judge Jules. once more. head up the Radio I ()utdoor Arena. with the station recording for an lisswrliu/ Mix to be aired nationwide the next week.
In short. it‘s a monster ol’ a show. particularly as all of
the excitement is spread over one day. 'Scottish crowds are so l’riendly and enthusiastic] conlirms 'l‘echnoboy
about the reason so many big—name l)Js consider
(‘oloursl‘est a highlight ol‘ the summer. "I‘hey're ready to go totally nuts. It‘s great to play before a crowd like that because you can't help but get excited.‘
Alex Kidd concurs. ‘I made my debut at this festival last year. It was my first Scottish l‘estival so I was pumped tip and eager to see how it would all go down. and it turned into one ol’ the highlights ol‘ my summer. Some ol’ the most exotic and surreal stadium and festival experiences I’ve had in places like Australia. Ibiza and Holland all lack the vibe and energy that | feel when I play to the Scottish crowds.’
Magowan is more practical about the reasons for (‘olourst'est‘s success. but just as enthused about its particular appeal. ‘We’ve got a great setting here.‘ he says. 'with enough space for all these l)Js and an outdoor area with a view over the River (‘lyde It just works really well.‘ He also. lets not forget. has a nation ol‘ clubbers for whom house and trance‘s sun will not go down any time soon.
Coloursfest ‘08 takes over Braehead Arena, Glasgow, Sat 7 Jun.
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3%: Ampbox Last chance to catch this night before its summer break: expect the usual mix of dancehall, hip hop, crunk. bailie-funk, electro and ghetto house with special guests Zombie Disco Squad. Wee Red Bar, Edinburgh, Fri 6 Jun.
3%: Trouble Sixth birthday shenanigans from your favourite purveyors of leftfield beats. jazzy grooves and retro rave. Trouble don‘t care about genre, just quality. Cabaret Voltaire, Edinburgh, Fri 6 Jun. 2%“ Club Hair: The Games A new spin tor Glasgow’s burlesque extravaganza. this time with an Olympics theme. Carling Academy, Glasgow, Sat 7 Jun.
Coloursfest ‘08 It's huge, it's in Glasgow and it's the biggest dance event this fortnight. Braehead Arena, Glasgow, Sat 7 Jun.
3%: Subculture Two chunks of techno/house brilliance in a row from the Subbie‘s essential Saturday nighter, with guests Dixon (7 Jun, pictured) and Kerri Chandler (14 Jun). Sub Club, Glasgow, Sat 7 & 74 Jun. Record Player: One of the best midweek events in the city raises its game with a set from local avant-pop quartet Findo Gask. Glasgow School of Art, Glasgow, Thu 72 Jun.
3%: Studio 24 13th Birthday A proper weekender of full-on hard tech and trance from various clubs who have called Studio 24 ‘home’ for the last 13 years. The Friday night birthday party is followed by an all out metal, punk and rock assault on Saturday. Studio 24, Edinburgh, Fri 73 8 Sat 74 Jun. Huntley a. Palmer’s Audio Club One for all the ltalo-disco lovers out there,
with a set from William Bennett of Edinburgh‘s Whitehouse. Hetherington Research Club, Glasgow, Sat 74 Jun.