ANTS at 02 Academy Brixton Review

“Driving”, “underground”, “progressive” and “relentless” – all of these adjectives and more can be used to describe the invasion of Ibiza’s ANTS concept at the 02 Brixton Academy, in London, on Easter Thursday, writes TopReviews4U editor Paul Christian. 

Fantastic lighting and production was abundant as the dancefloor was bathed in shades of red and other bright colours alongside ANTS signature monochrome.

Booming bas and rolling percussion put smiles on faces and the place heaved like an ant colony that had been disturbed by a hungry aardvark.

A roster of top underground talent included Eats Everything, Groove Armada, Adrea Oliva, Waze & Odyssey, Secondcity and Dennis Christopher – and their cutting edge sounds filled the iconic old venue.

This is the second ANTS event I have been to in London and I can report that the concept continues to go from strength-to-strength.

The Ushaia-born colony continues along the path of global domination and will be back in London, at South West Four, on August 26.

Ibiza's ANTS colony swarms into O2 Brixton Academy London tonight

ANTS' massive event at London's Brixton Academy, takes place tonight - Easter Thursday (April 13).

Added to headliners Groove Armada will be Eats Everything, Secondcity, Dennis Christopher and ANTS stalwarts Andrea Oliva and Waze & Odyssey. 

TopReviews4U will be there and will be reviewing the action in the coming days. 

• Click here for last minute tickets

Amnesia Ibiza hits London this weekend!

Ahead of the undeniably huge summer that awaits the Amnesia team, the global clubbing mecca lands on the streets of London for one night only at Electric Brixton.

Along with all the trademark attributes you’d expect to find at a typical Amnesia party such as their world-class sound, hedonistic dancers and industrial sized Co2 cannons, the club will also be showcasing their giant pyramid for the fist time ever. 

To what we can only compare as a spaceship from another galaxy, this 7x7 metre monster is sure to wow ravers on Saturday March 4 with its blinding LEDs and powerful laser beams.

Another stellar line-up has been assembled, with Elrow resident Patrick Topping confirmed to headline this special date.

Electric Brixton, Town Hall Parade, London, SW2 1RJ
Open from 11pm – 8am
Fully licensed bar until close
Nearest Tube & Night Tube: Brixton (Victoria Line) / Stockwell (Northern Line)

Line up: 

Patrick Topping
Catz N Dogz
Hector Couto B2B Mar-T
Edu Imbernon
Clint Lee
Jethro Watson (New Music Sessions)
Metrospekt (Switch)
MADe (Halo)
Ben Hooper & Ed Deegan
Andrew Morgan

Tickets click here

ANTS and Groove Armada set to invade London in 'biggest show outside Ibiza'

One of the hottest movements in clubland - ANTS - will invade London led by dance royalty Groove Armada.

The event, at the 02 Academy, Brixton, on April 13, promises to be ANTS' biggest show outside of Ibiza, when the insectoid house and techno swarm heads to the capital.

Groove Armada have been at the forefront of house music for two decades and they are equally happy playing big stages or sweat-soaked basements.

Their breakthrough releases, the downtempo anthem ‘At The River’ and million selling album ‘Vertigo’ has led to the act releasing seven studio albums to date plus a Fabric Live album in 2016.

One of Ibiza’s most respected electronic music gatherings, ‘The Colony’, as it is known to its legions of supporters, will invade London’s 02 Academy Brixton for its second party in the capital, following its sold out show at Electric Brixton in February 2016.

Not many music collectives have seen a meteoric rise to the top of the electronic music scene quite like ANTS, with the brand growing from its Ibiza base to host main stages at festivals and high profile club shows across the globe.

After launching at Ushuaia, Ibiza in 2013, ANTS has evolved into one of the most essential Ibiza parties, drawing the island’s clubbing cognoscenti as well as clued up clubbers from around the world. It is internationally renowned for its perfectly curated underground line-ups and monster production, creating unique and unforgettable experiences.

Hosted by trusted resident DJ and phenomenal underground producer Andrea Oliva, ANTS has welcomed a wide plethora of international artists including Sasha, Maya Jane Coles, Eats Everything, Groove Armada, Eli & Fur, Joris Voorn, Nic Fanciulli, Hot Since 82, Kolsch, and many more.

The groundbreaking Ushuaia residency has since led to ANTS events in Miami, Dubai, Hong Kong, Mexico’s BPM festival and Snowbombing, among other prestigious locations.

The legendary O2 Academy Brixton has hosted some of the most influential names in the scene with Carl Cox, John Digweed, Moderat, Four Tet and Caribou all hosting sold out shows at the venue over the years. The state of the art sound system and massive production values make this one of the hottest venues in the country.

Easter Thursday will witness the ANTS take over as the colony evolves.

• Register for priority access and tickets here 

Claptone The Masquerade at Electric Brixton, London

Masked revellers, a mystery DJ and a strong supporting cast put on a theatrical display at Brixton’s iconic Electric club on Friday night/Saturday morning.

Tough and accessible house music was the order of the evening as Oliver Dollar, Eli & Fur and Mat.Joe warmed up expertly for the masked man Claptone himself.

The incognito German wowed the crowd with a series of belters as pyrotechnics whooshed around him, lighting up his golden Venetian plague doctor mask.

Claptone’s white gloved hands conducting an orchestra of clubbers who whooped and bounced as the tempo was ramped up.

The old theatre provided the perfect location for this macarbre cabaret.

Claptone is currently taking his The Masquerade event to several cities and I can’t recommend it highly enough.

The masked ravers made for a fantastic atmosphere with the Eyes Wide Shut vibe making the evnt a refreshingly new twist on modern nightlife.

The old-style masked ball is now a clubland force to be reckoned with.

And with dance music going increasingly commercial it is great to see DJs who skirt the line between accessible and underground and actually host a party.

Make sure you go and see Claptone if you get the chance – whoever he is!

VIDEO: Armin van Buuren / ASOT at O2 Brixton Academy, London

Armin van Buuren's A State of Trance rolled into London on Saturday night - and it was the hottest ticket in town, writes TopReviews4U editor Paul Christian.

The Dutch maestro was ably assisted by compatriot Ruben de Ronde, whose floaty and driving set provided much more than just a warm up for the man himself.
AvB's banging set was what ASOT fans have come to expect.

And the pounding trance was perfect for the cavernous O2 Brixton Academy.
The walls reverberated to the sonic onslaught and the whoops and cheers of the crowd grew louder as the night went on.
Aside from the music the venue was fantastic, with bars aplenty and there was even a warm up DJ in the entrance hall - courtesy of Elevation Audio - and a spinner playing at the cloakroom..
Brixton is quickly becoming the heart of London clubland, with sell-out gigs here and last month for ANTS at the Electric down the road.
I for one am looking forward to more shenanigans in SW9.

 

Armin van Buuren coming to London

With a career spanning more than twenty years, Netherlands born and Grammy nominated DJ Armin van Buuren has enjoyed a career most artists and producers can only dream of, writes TopReviews4U editor Paul Christian.

 

Achievements and milestones are Armin’s thing and these include topping the prestigious DJ Magazine Top 100 poll a record five times.

 

Armin’s huge following and appeal reflects his dominant position within the electronic music world. 

His return to London on Easter Saturday (March 26) is set to be one of the biggest nights in the dance music calendar this year.  

As a pioneer of the trance movement, Armin's knowledge of the genre is unparalleled. He is the founder of the ground-breaking Armada Music label, boasting an impressive roster of leading heavyweights including former EDC Milton Keynes headliners Alesso, Hardwell and Paul Oakenfold. 

Armin’s ‘A State of Trance’ radio show has elevated his profile even further with more than 33 million listeners each week.

The DJ will take to the decks at one of London’s most iconic music venues, the O2 Academy Brixton, for what promises to be a euphoric night to remember.

• ·         For more information click here