Music Mashup
This month features my very special review of Dirty Canvas at the Vibe Bar in Brick Lane, Pop that's hot and not, and where you can catch the best, phat beats this August.
Story Highlights
- Dirty Canvas
- Pop Hot or Not
- Where To Dance
Dirty Canvas
Let me start by saying that I am a regular at Dirty Canvas and usually have a brilliant time here! So when I saw that the latest Dirty Canvas was to be held in the Vibe bar, I was surprised. After all Vibe is the kind of trendy, Brick Lane hang out that bankers and wannabe Hoxtonites go to. More importantly it closes at 1am and most ravers don't get to a venue until midnight.
But this change is as a good as any other - so I headed down to see Wa Gwan. This was to be found in one of the many bars that make up Vibe and and played some great, old school Garage! Unfortunately it remained disappointingly empty until, yep you guessed it, midnight. This twelfth hour swelling of the crowd was actually more to do with various acts arriving with their entourages, rather than an influx of punters.
Double S was present but didn't perform despite being on the flyer. Also what sadist asked D Double EE and Scratchy to perform together? Labelling this performance as lacklustre would be me - being very kind. Despite this I reckon a move back to Rhythm Factory, a more cohesive line up and better promotion will bring Dirty Canvas back as the leading grime night in London. Some day.
Pop Hot or Not
Now I know that you think I'm some neon clad hipster who only hits the coolest shows but here's a secret. I have a not so secret thing for Girls Aloud and Britney Spears. I have found myself enjoying, nay, singing loudly along to, songs that get a heavy rotation on Capital FM. Here's what I enjoyed and what I turned off.
Hot: Duffy - Rockferry. I'm not a huge fan of this genre but I really felt the emotion in this Welsh songstress's voice, when she belted out Warwick Avenue. The dance version of Mercy had me bopping along and I even joined the debate over Stepping Stone. Is it the best or worst song on the album? She sold out her Somerset House gig so I'll leave you to decide whether this is just mediocre music or something more.
Hot: Sam Sparro - Sam Sparro. I really, really wanted to fancy Sam Sparro. I mean there is a serious lack of good looking musicians these days and when I heard Black and Gold, I was hoping he'd have the looks to match his velvet voice. Unfortunately he doesn't rock my world but I am looking forward to hearing his dulcet tones at the V Festival. If you like a soulful voice - tinged with Electro beats then give him a go.
Not: The Kooks - Shine on. Now I'm usually a massive Kooks fan and have fond memories of seeing them play at Proud Galleries for a mere £5. In fact I could probably sing you the old album backwards if necessary but I'm sorry, Shine On is awful. It's derivative and quite frankly I hope to hear better and soon.
Not: The Ting Tings. Whenever I hear a band being lauded as the greatest thing since sliced bread, I invariably avoid the hype as they are bound to be rubbish or at best, distinctly average. I'm afraid this is the case with the Ting Tings. There isn't a shred of individuality in any of their songs. It's Mediocre pop, it's easily forgotten and I don't care if the Guardian gave them a good write up - so there! We Started Nothing indeed. What an apt song lyric from the band.
Where To Dance
August will be jam packed with parties for Londoners - so get your brightest gear on and party like you just don't care. Here's the where and when.
Fabric, Friday August 8, 10pm to 5am: It's rare for me to go to a big club night. I find these places are usually over rated and over priced. However Urban Nerd are taking over Room 3 at Fabric and I can't resist. I mean look at the line up - DJ Q (1Xtra), DJ Rattus Rattus (Urban Nerds), DJ Magic (Dirty Canvas) and live performances from Tinchy Stryder, Flo Dan, DJ Yoda, Goldie, Dilliga and the Scratch Perverts. How can you possibly lose?
Unit 7 Cable Studios, Issst Vs Slaang, Saturday August 23, 10pm-6am: Issst and Slaang are back and how thankful we are. Good all nighters in dodgy warehouses are not as common as one might think. But seeing as this is the first of five, expect to see me back in neon pink tights - blowing a whistle! Be sure to check out the Futureheads DJ set in room 1!
Dirty Canvas, Sunday August 24, Rhythm Factory: When we went to press the line up for this had yet to be confirmed, but seeing as it falls on the bank holiday, I can't see it failing to deliver. Keep your eyes peeled!
Finally don't forget the Shoreditch Music Festival, going down on Saturday, August 16!
- DJ Michelle
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