Cougar Microbes

As we headed towards the O2 arena for Smirnoff Sensation 2011 there was a evident buzz on the tube to the venue with everyone already making friends and getting hyped up. Once we arrived we were escorted to the press area but we could admire the insanely long cue of people dressed in white ready to go crazy tonight.

We enjoyed a complimentary drink from our vantage point in the highest tier of the o2 and were shown where we could get the best view which at 9:30 looking down was admittedly still pretty empty. As the venue visibly filled up including the deluxe area -a white castle amongst the stands- we could see the long queues we had spotted earlier gradually trickling in.

As we begun mixing with the crowd one hour lateral and there was a lot of anticipation in the air. It was great to see that Sensation had brought it’s trademark scenery to London. We were able to admire a ginormous jellyfish hanging from ceiling, vast underwater scenery and a spaceship like 360-rotating DJ platform with bubble-like lights sticking out strategically positioned at the centre of the venue.

Nothing was missing from this night that fans wouldn’t recognise from either a previous event or the youtube videos. Close to the launch hour, although not completely full yet, we were ready for the count down which hit us with a repetitive boom. There were fireworks, fountain works, crazy lasers scanning the crowd and the deep echoing recognisable voice of Sensation.

Mr White kickstarted the night injecting the place, which was really filling up now, with dancing fuel. He offered a good electronic beat, deep house with powerful beats. As we moved deeper into the dance floor, we observed (and appreciated) all the kinky and fun costumes. Swans , angels, aliens, carnival, masks, t shirts with puns e.g ’ this is a white t-shirt’, white sunglasses, wigs and all sorts were on display.

Powering on from Mr White‘s performance came Eric E who offered more electric beats to keep the mood going. To be honest the biggest attraction of this set were the huge glowing colourful balls that were tossed around to stimulate the crowd. We tried to get in the mix but it proved really tough to reach up with everyone else.

Joris Vroon & Nic Fanciulli were on next. Their set tick-tocked its way on to the dance floor quirky electronic sounds. First offering the strong beat from Alex Kenji’s ‘Something About You‘ before carrying with classics from Junior Jack, Daft Punk and Groove Armada, as well as more quirky minimal techno from Plastikman. These guys did not disappoint offering one of the best sets of the night in a lot of peoples’ opinion.

The Smirnoff Mix entailed a mashup of well known tracks like the never failing Benny Benassi ‘Satisfaction‘ mixed with unexpected oldies like Depeche Mode‘s ‘Personal Jesus‘. This was a fun set to that entertained and surprised us. By this point I think everyone in the entire arena was wearing a Smirnoff ring. With its LED light you could see all the grooving hands shimmer looking really cool from the distance

Fedde Legrande opened his set with Madonna music. This electrifying start was magnified by fireworks and Cirque de Soleil style dancers coming down from the ceiling- for me this was the best moment, you actually had to stop and just watch. Again, a great set was delivered on the same level as Nic Fanciulli earlier. You could tell that everyone was ecstatic at this point screaming, wolf whistling and yelling with excitement.

Martin Solveig turned up with his trade mark sweat band around his head hitting with his latest tune ‘Hello‘ right at the beginning of the set. All in all, even if was the DJ we were most looking forward to seeing , he was a bit disappointing as rather commercial on the night. he pleased the crowd with some floor fillers that have rocked our us since our teenage years but we might have found it a bit outdated.

No worries though because Sander Van Door managed to lift the spirits much higher after Solveig set. He too dropped some classics like Zombie Nation with ‘Old School‘ but the beats were a bit more lively. Spectacular fireworks appeared again for the ending followed by a deafening round of applause from the whole arena. Of course there was an encore last smashing tune, and no one dared to leave till it was actually all over and the lights came up

What can I say, Smirnoff Sensation 2011 was truly sensational and I didn’t want it to end. The good news is the mc ended things by saying ‘see you next year’. I think I speak for everyone in saying: I can’t wait!

—–

Post by Scarlett

—–

TRACKS:

NIC FANCIULLI – Green Tea (Syndrom)

Everything But The Girl – Missing (Fedde Le Grande Remix)

Martin Solveig feat Kele – Ready 2 Go (Billboard remix)

Sander van Doorn- Daisy (Tintdeejay`s Remix)

Continuing the theme of my favourites here is the Daft Punk classic ‘Around The World‘ from the summer of 97. Having already featured one Michel Gondry helmed video this weekend here is another track he got his dirty mittens involved in.

The deceivingly simple video is a great companion to the song with each “character” representing a different part of the song. If you don’t love this there is something wrong with you.

TRACKS:

Glasnost are in the process of completing their original full length album as a live electro pop band and DJ crew. In the meantime they have been unleashing a series of remixes to delight our ears.

Their take on Yeasayer‘s ‘O.N.E‘ strips the song down to a vocal refrain that barely hints at the original and draws similarities  to the likes of Cassius and Daft Punk.

One for the dancefloor.

TRACKS:

God this is good! Trying to sum this record up is almost as challenging as to listen to it without having to stop what you are doing, stare gleefully at the speakers & uncontrollably bob your head to the groove.

‘Omni‘ the bands first full length since 2007′s “Planet of Ice“, finds Minus the Bear in what feels & sounds like effortless full flight. It is this effortlessness, to this humble reviewers ears, that makes this album a marvel onto itself.

This album is detailed: Cascading soundscapes litter the “sometimes simple, sometimes progressive“ song structures. Every bleep, guitar chord or drum loop so carefully placed & with such precision you would think this was crafted by machine. Alas, it wasn’t, and thus like any art in the hands of master craftsmen is injected with as much soul as accuracy.

Trying to pin down the band’s sound as they march through the 10 cuts on offer here is a hard one. A vast array of influence come to mind when listening to the album in its entireity (as a side note, this album should be enjoyed as a total) but never do the band sound like they are struggling for a voice.

The locked but joyous chemistry between the drums and bass (Erin Tate & Cory Murchy respectively) provide such a solid platform that the rest of the band are allowed to inflect the Jimmy Eat World esque Indie rock with The Police inspired guitar lines & Daft Punk synth lines without tredding on the songs. There is even room for nods to early 70′s soul and aphex twin style broken beats creating something quite unique.

This is all stitched together magninificently by Joe Chiccarelli‘s (The White Stripes, My Morning Jacket) big yet airy production and Jake Sniders
understated yet hook riddled vocals.

Minus The Bear have managed to create something quite special with this record. Go. Listen!

—–

Post by the Dusseldorf bound Warren

—–

TRACKS:

Minus The Bear – Summer Angel

French producer Golden Bug‘s latest effort ‘Assassin’ has seen an official release on Bang Gang recently. The 12-inch is characterised by dirty bass and lots of attitude in a way that is not too dissimilar from fellow countrymen Daft Punk.

I was still spinning his remixes of GLOVES and Adam Freeland from earlier this year when the title track from ‘Assassin’ hit me with a surprise sneak attack and one of those neck breaking manoeuvres.

Deadly but certainly not silent.

TRACKS:

Golden Bug – Assasin