Eastern Electrics 2017: Venue announced

The venue for this summer’s Eastern Electrics has been revealed, writes TopReviews4U editor Paul Christian. 

Organisers released a video on Instagram last night confirming the switch from Hatfield House, in Hertfordshire to Morden Park, London.

The event, on Saturday, August 5, will feature Carl Cox, Hot Since 82, Dennis Ferrer, Ame, Steve Lawler and many more over a host of stages.

• For tickets click here   

Eastern Electrics 2017 festival: Full line-up revealed - Carl Cox plus many more...

Festival Eastern Electrics will transform a new, as yet to be revealed, London home into a fantastical playground spanning seven stage areas, all soundtracked by the crème de la crème from the house, techno, disco, bass and garage worlds.

On August 5 the legend and unofficial ‘King of Ibiza’, Carl Cox, headlines the EE Main Stage; a face who has shaped the electronic underground for over two decades working with institutions like Space Ibiza and Privilege.

Prolific duo Âme (DJ) are also set for the main stage, along with Do Not Sleep head honcho Darius Syrossian and new school tech head Nick Curly. Finishing off the bill are dream team house duo Waze & Odyssey and Alexis Raphael. 

Eastern Electrics’ much loved Switchyard arena hands over controls to Hot Since 82 this year, who’ll bring his Knee Deep In Sound team to the industrial themed stage. As well as an anticipated set from the man himself, he’ll be joined by revered Italian duo Mind Against, a breakout success story of recent years. Plus, Desolat affiliate and craftsman Guti plays live, joined by Numbers’ poster boy Denis Sulta, and Deep House mainstay Serge Devant.

Skream makes a welcome return as an Eastern Electrics stage host, taking over The Bigger Top with an all-star cast in tow. Skream has evolved to be one of the most important British artists across the last decade, from his early days as a dubstep pioneer to his recent explorations of the house ilk. Helping Skream hold it down is Defected affiliate Dennis Ferrer, Watergate resident and Hot Creations / Rekids artist Butch, plus Glasgow selector squad Jon José & Celino. There’ll be some very special guests too - keep your eyes peeled.

This year’s Big Top is hosted by returning crew, Viva Warriors. Punters can see Steve Lawler, Art Department and Denny journeying through deeper house and tech. Also stepping up is newcomer Elliot Adamson, a producer who has shot into the public eye since working with Patrick Topping. Warriors resident Jamie Roy is also on board, a name with releases on Skream’s Ofunsoundmind imprint and 8Bit, plus trio Wax on Mare Street who’ll present sleazy disco explorations.

Making an EE debut is revered institution Defected, the London label which has grown into global club brand with their solid output, epic parties and much-loved artists. For their first EE stage, they’ve recruited a set of label pals; with first lady of Defected Sam Divine set to lay down some funky-filled house jams, plus favourite Sonny Fodera and Kings of Tomorrow member Sandy Rivera all on. Hotly-tipped producers Emanuel Satie, aficionado Franky Rizardo and Italy’s Dario D’attIs are another few names representing for the Defected camp.

‘The Star of EE Pub’ will be hosted by premiere London radio station; Rinse FM, who’ll take a darker stance with bass, grime and garage. Find sets from Bristol bass boys My Nu Leng, with twisted garage and bad boy bass. There’s a rare set from OG’s Heartless Crew (HEARTLESS!) with an old-skool flow that’ll get everyone hyped. Pirate radio don and king selector Oneman, grime favourite Sir Spyro, station associates Barely Legal and Sian Anderson are all set to play too. Finally, the VIP area plays host to a nostalgic ’30 Years Of Acid House’ theme, with a killer bill of veteran selectors, including acid pioneer DJ Pierre, proper house promoter Stuart Patterson, Terry Farley, Clive Henry and Back2Basics’ boss Dave Beer.

Fairground rides, street food, glitter girls, dress-up tents and much more on-site madness will be part of Eastern Electrics’ festivities this year, adding another dimension to the big day out.

EASTERN ELECTRICS FESTIVAL 2017

FULL EASTERN ELECTRICS LINE-UP

Main Stage:

Carl Cox - Âme (DJ) - Darrius Syrossian - Nick Curly - Waze and Odyssey - Alexis Raphael + more TBA

The Switchyard : Knee Deep in Sound

Hot Since 82 - Mind Against - Guti (Live) - Denis Sulta - Serge Devant + more TBA

The Bigger Top : Skreamizm

Skream, Dennis Ferrer, Butch, Jonjosé & Celino + more TBA

The Big Top : Viva Warriors

Steve Lawler - Art Department - Denney - Elliot Adamson - Jamie Roy - Wax on Mare Street

The Club Tent : Defected

Sam Divine - Sonny Fodera - Sandy Rivera - Emanuel Satie - Franky Rizardo - Dario Datts

Star of EE : Rinse FM

My Nu Leng - Heartless Crew - Oneman - Sir Spyro - Barely Legal - Sian Anderson + more TBA

VIP : Jock & Nerds - 30 Years of Acid House

DJ Pierre - Stuart Patterson - Terry Farley - Clive Henry - Dave Beer

Tickets available from £29.50: http://bit.ly/2hVFzVg

SW4 2016 review

It has become something of a cliché to refer to South West Four as 'South Wet Four' on account of the often awful bank holiday weather, writes TopReviews4U editor Paul Christian.

I have got drenched at several previous occasions at this always excellent event.
But this year I and thousands of other revellers were treated to some lovely late August sunshine.
And the warm weather meant that festival staple - sitting on the grass - was actually an option this year.

From my sedentary position I massively enjoyed watching Sven Vath's atmospheric techno set from the Amnesia tent, and again checked out Paul Kalkbrenner from the humble floor of Clapham Common.

But I had to get to my feet for Sasha and Carl Cox, who were playing in the ANTS tent and on the main stage respectively.
Sasha took the aural soundscape to new levels and they were complemented by amazing red lighting in contrast to the usual monochrome atmosphere of the ANTS colony.

Cox's top-notch techno was a treat to behold with rolling percussing and his "oh yes, oh yes" mantra ringing out across the Common.
There was also time to check out trance legends Above & Beyond and progressive house head honcho John Digweed at the varied Sunday leg of the long-running weekender.

He finished with Egyptian Empire's classic ' The Horn Track' as darkness fell and planes flew overhead.

Next up was the finale, with The Chemical Brothers providing a storming headline set.
Beginning with 'Hey Boy, Hey Girl' was brave as it is probably their biggest track, but the sheer strength of the Chems' repertoire meant the crowd was kept moving throughout.

A superb light show also punctuated the electronic experience.
SW4 remains a potent part of the capital's festival scene - come rain or shine.
 

Space Ibiza review by Paul Christian

What can you say about Space in Ibiza?
Many adjectives wouldn't come close to describing a giant of the global dance scene.
It is certainly one of the greatest clubs I've ever seen.

Bizarrely, after more visits to the White Isle than I can accurately count, this was my first visit.
I have been to the club of the same name in Miami and the multi-roomed and uber cool vibe is similar, but Ibiza's stellar nightspot has a sense of the regal about it.

I visited for We Love Sundays, which featured fantastic sets by Annie Mac, Derrick Carter and others.
This is the last season for Space and, as I gazed at the perfect layout and airy, otherworldly cavernous club I wondered 'where have you been all my life?'.
Quite simply it's a beast of a venue and at 27 years' old it seems classier and more real than its nouveau riche neighbours.
The Terraza was dark, bleepy and minimal with a heads- down feel, but an amazing atmosphere.
Whereas the main room of the Playa den Bossa powerhouse was big in dimensions and vibe, with techno, minimal and house booming out of the sound system.
The huge ice cannons were a welcome relief from the heat of the dance floor as hands inevitably shot skyward.

The crowd lapped it up, as did I, as I drank it in on my last night in Ibiza.
If you get the chance go to Space this year - you'll regret it if you don't.