UGroove got in on the action at Rhythmatic Presents DJ Three on Saturday 7th July…
In Shutter Studio, Hackney (E9), on the 7th of July, Rhythmatic and Double Trouble Productions put on another underground electronic party; fusing their resident DJs (Archie Hamilton, Ceri, Stathis Lazarides) with exclusive B2B sets from Odsounds and Ham solo and a rare UK guest appearance from headliner Three. Performing to a rapturous crowd with the assurance from Kostas – one half of the Double Trouble duo – that this was the only industrial warehouse clubbing space in London; the stage was set for a blinding evening of techno and house.
After a few drinks in the nearby Hackney Pearl we headed onwards into the night and the venue. Taxis, Minibuses, Bikes and Cars were darting around what was an otherwise dead industrial park – suggesting something of the atmosphere that was to come. It seemed that everyone was ready for a big night and the pronounced beats could be heard clearly over the continual background noise of jovial party-goers, party-going. We entered the studio to the assertive and electronic vibes of Rhythmatic resident Ceri and headed for the bar. Weaving through the dancers with a menacing red light guiding us the beats picked up a notch. Ceri went down a treat to those I spoke to and with the introduction of fellow resident Stathis Lazarides the night looked to head on into more techno territory.
Producing a set which was considerably more vocal based made for a refreshing change in mood and dancing styles. Gone were the fist pumpers and the whistlers and up stepped those who defined ‘grooving’. Hip shakes collided with swaying arms and the musical change pleased everyone; safe in the knowledge that anticipated guest-DJ three would continue the party.
After a few more very reasonably priced drinks and one or two balloons of laughing gas – a nice little touch from the hosts which made for a hazy diversion from the occasional monotony of continual alcohol – Three took to the decks. Drop after drop came and the clubbers lapped it up. The most overheard sentence of the night? “Let’s keep boogie’in”. Subtle builds up intertwined with huge electronic beats. To call it techno would do a disservice to the intricacy of the set.
The music filled the warehouse. Melodic bleeps and pumping beats seemed to form a timeless synthesis with the industrial setting and the euphoric crowd. This was apparently to go on all night, with the sly promise from Kostas that the after party would glide on through until 10am. We began to take the time to speak to a few people, hear what they thought of the night, and suss out the vibes. “Brilliant choons, wicked night” seemed to be the mantra and a Stag party of gentlemen, partying hard, reckoned that this was one of their favourite nights out in years; and who could question them? The diversity of the crowd was particularly impressive with a representative from what seemed every city in the country and every country in Europe. The Rhythmatic boys had pulled everyone together for an incredible night of underground-industrial-post-house fun.
When’s the next one?!
Words: Jak Murrell
