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.

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EDC UK 2017 - CANCELLED

As someone who has not only attended, but reviewed each and every EDC UK, since the first odd affair at the Olympic Park, in London, to the (we all assumed) spiritual home at the National Bowl, in Milton Keynes, it was a real shock to learn the planned 2017 event had been cancelled, writes TopReviews4U editor Paul Christian.

An odd and intriguing statement (above) was released by the US-based event organisers, Insomniac, which appeared to blame the venue. 


It also claimed EDC head honchos were keen to "properly reimagine all areas of the experience". 


Given the sell-out multi-million pound events over the last few years this seems odd. 
EDC always drew vast crowds and had become a major feature in the summer festival calendar. 


I first began to suspect the 'Electric Daisies' might fail to bloom earlier this month when the festival's previous promoters told me they had nothing to do with the event this year, and weren't really able to tell me who was dealing with that side of things. 

And now it is clear - the answer is: no one is.


While Insomniac's vague statement could be taken at face value - they could just feel they can't put on the show they want to - I find it somewhat unsatisfactory.


From what I've seen from the travelling show's US incarnations the UK event at MK was easily on par with them - but then I always preferred the trance and house tents rather than the main Kinetic Field stage anyway.


The rumour mill has, quite expectedly, gone into overdrive. Suggestions that there are no big-name DJs available is one theory, or rather more believably, that their astronomical fees were unrealistic and rendered the event unprofitable. 

It is no secret that the likes of previous performers (and TopReviews4U interviewees) like Tiesto and Steve Aoki are raking in megabucks for festival sets. 


There is also the suggestion that the EDM bubble could be slowly deflating, in a discordant whomping parp - not unlike the 'music' itself. 


I'm inclined to believe a combination of poor ticket sales and overhyped DJ fees is at the root of the sorry mess the Electric Daisy Carnival's UK leg has become. 

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!

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.
 

Bulldog's new men's shaving range

Shaving is a vital but fairly dull chore for the modern man, writes TopReviews4U editor Paul Christian.

But, with a new range of fantastic products, male grooming greats Bulldog have made hair removal a fun and nourishing ritual.

Here TopReviews4U takes a look at the top new lotions and potions.

Original Shave Oil

 

- aloe, camelina oil, green tea
A fantastic oil, which smooths and soothes allowing a clean and resistance-free razor stroke.
It left my face and neck smooth and refreshed and delivered a wonderfully close shave.
 

Original Shave Cream

 

- aloe, camelina, green tea
A light non-clammy shaving cream, which allowed hairs to be separated and ready for the razor.
This all-natural product was the perfect antidote to chemical counterparts on the market nowadays.
 

Original Beard Balm

- aloe, camelina, green tea
The best of the bunch for me.
Fantastic, soothing and softening - a real hero product.
This is something you'll never realise how much you needed it.

Original Beard Shampoo & Conditioner

- aloe, camelina, green tea
Rather than using drying soaps and products not fit for purpose, this specially-formulated all-in-one beard shampoo and conditioner is another great product.
Soothing and refreshing, with natural ingredients, this this fantastic.

 

• Visit www.meetthebulldog.com for more information.

 

TopReviews4U EXCLUSIVE: Soul Heaven at Ocean Beach Ibiza review

Ocean Beach is a fairly new edition to Ibiza's hedonistic offering, writes TopReviews4U editor Paul Christian.

As such it is very much in the zeitgeist of a more plush revolution on the island.
Ocean Beach is very much a place to be seen and should definitely be seen by you.
Selfie queens snapped away on huge comfy beds as vodka and mixers were quaffed alongside Champagne.

The daytime 'nightclub' is large and expansive, with a beautiful pool and stunning bars and DJ booth/dance floor area.

It was a real party atmosphere of hedonism, excess and fun.

It is definitely worth a visit and is the antidote to some of the grottier parts of San Antonio.
I visited for Soul Heaven and the music was fantastic.
As the DJ dropped Pete Heller's 'Big Love' it summed up a real moment - classy, sunny and fun.
Ocean Beach should definitely been on your list.

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.