Clubs and Techno

Ferry Corsten, Eddie Halliwell and Pete Tong among highlights of Coloursfest 2011

10th anniversary of Scotland’s only dance-focused festival

30 May 2011

This year is the tenth anniversary of Scotland’s only dance-focused festival, and they’re throwing a little party. Who’s got the cake? And the Buckie? And the poppers? A ten thousand-strong sell-out for six years running, Coloursfest isn’t for the faint…

Interview: The Sub Club at RockNess

Glasgow’s legendary club heads to RockNess 2012 as part of their 25th anniversary celebrations

23 May 2012

Glasgow institution the Sub Club celebrate their 25th anniversary this year and as part of their celebrations they are bringing the sounds of the Subbie to RockNess. We catch up with two of the club’s directors, Mike Grieve and Paul Crawford, to see…

Interview: Andrew Weatherall set for RockNess 2012

Esteemed DJ and producer on A Love From Outer Space and festivals

30 Mar 2012

Andrew Weatherall is just one of the new announcements for 2012’s RockNess line-up where he’ll be joining Soma Records who are taking control of the new Arcadia UFO. It’s a Scottish Festival exclusive as he’s joined by Sean Johnston as they present an…

Richie Hawtin resurrects iconic Plastikman persona for world tour

DJ and producer on the makings of his audio-visual spectacular

9 Nov 2011

Richie Hawtin is one of the most high profile DJs and producers working today, with activities incorporating several record labels, software and hardware products and a globe-spanning tour schedule. Known for distinctive and intense DJ sets, it might…

Richie Hawtin announces Plastikman live show for Glasgow Barrowlands

Sat 3 Dec date for Hawtin's live techno show

18 Jul 2011

One of the true innovators of techno, Richie Hawtin, will be bringing his live Plastikman 1.5 show to the Barrowland in Glasgow on Saturday 3 December 2011. One of only three UK dates, this hugely ambitious live electronica show was last seen in…

The Rizla Riverboat Shuffle on the Waverley Steamer

Optimo and Melting Pot DJs play second set on board landmark Glasgow landmark boat

30 Jul 2010

David Pollock climbs aboard the Waverley Steamer as Melting Pot and Optimo set sail on another Rizla Riverboat Shuffle It wasn’t meant to be more than a one-off party in a unique location, but the DJs from Glasgow’s Optimo and Melting Pot nights had…

Pioneering spirit - Andrew Weatherall interview

7 Jul 2010

To say that Andrew Weatherall has had a diverse career is a bit of an understatement. He started way back in the late 80s DJing the backroom at Shoom (often credited as the birth place of Britain’s acid house scene). ‘I’d be the kid that would play at…

Labels of love: Numbers

29 Oct 2009

Based in: Glasgow Roster: The first three releases will be by Lazer Sword, Redinho and Taz Buckfaster, with more artists to follow. Bosses: Jack ‘Jackmaster’ Revill, Calum and Neil Morton, Richard Chater and Adam Rodgers. Sounds…

Richie Hawtin

The Detroit techno man plays Glasgow

20 Aug 2009

Despite hailing from Oxfordshire via Canada, Richie Hawtin was part of the second wave of Detroit techno innovators, his Plus 8 label and Plastikman alter-ego helped set the ground work for the minimal scene. He’s slayed the Slam Tent at T in the Park…

Wire

6 Aug 2009

‘Discotronic pop, art punk, twisted folk, electronic love and beyond,’ promises promoter/resident DJ Craig Jamieson at Wire. ‘Scotland’s most eclectic soundclash celebrates the best in innovative and cult music.’ Jamieson will be happily living up to…

Off:beat

2 Apr 2009

New night of deep house and techno as Off:beat launches at the Caves. Special guest for the opening night will be Jamie Jones (Crosstown Rebels) who earned his stripes on the warehouse party circuit and in Ibiza and who will be dropping minimal, house…

Interview: Jakwob prepares for his live show at RockNess 2012

The dubstep producer talks remixes, Rocky and RockNess

23 May 2012

Young dubstep producer and DJ Jakwob (aka James Jacob) favours a jazzy take on bassy electronica. He first appeared on most people’s radar with his squelchy remix of Ellie Goulding’s ‘Under the Sheets’ and has since gone on to remix Lily Allen, MIA and…

M_nus: Hobo & Heartthrob

The two techno DJs discuss working on Richie Hawtin's label and their upcoming Glasgow shows

29 Feb 2012

You’re an emerging electronic producer and your label boss is Richie Hawtin aka Plastikman – so do you get star-struck when you talk to him? ‘Why not?’ laughs Joel Boychuk aka Hobo. ‘I don’t usually think so, but I guess the fanboy part of me will never…

Clubbers' Decktionary: Gabber

A guide to the myriad genres of clubbing, from Trouble's DJ Hobbes

13 Dec 2011

Gabber proper noun: wildly up-tempo (140-220 bpm) spin-off from hardcore techno, industrial and rave. Began in the early 90s and has remained a die-hard force in Europe (especially the Netherlands and Scotland) and Australia. Traditionally dominated by…

Edinburgh's Az-tech club comes to a close

Residents head up final night at The Caves

3 Nov 2010

‘Az-Tech started as a breaks night. We just wanted a place to play out the music we like and bring breaks to Edinburgh,’ explains Amy Fowler (aka resident DJ Siren). ‘But it’s evolved, our music policy is really loose, it’s just party tunes.’ Broadening…

Bloody Beetroots

Expressionless fright masks and slaying dancefloor electronica at Death Disco

14 Aug 2009

On the backstreets of Bassano del Grappa, in northern Italy, an ungodly experiment took place. Elements of Slayer and Daft Punk were fused together to produce the mutant progeny that is Bloody Beetroots, a vicious electro duo whose music hits like a…

Fierce Angel

6 Aug 2009

Mark Doyle not only set up the world conquering Hed Kandi brand of glamourous house, chillout grooves and instantly recognisable cover art, in 2006 he launched his Fierce Angel project, which comes to Glasgow for a night of sexy, fresh Ibiza anthems and…

DJ Ellen Allien to play at Edinburgh night Kapital

23 Jul 2009

TECHNO ‘Ever since her mix tapes first found their way to us at the start of the decade, we [the trio of DJs and promoters behind Edinburgh night Kapital], have been strongly influenced by Ellen Allien,’ says the club’s Barry O’Connell. ‘Everything…

Outdoor clubbing

25 Jun 2009

With the unpredictable nature of Scottish weather al fresco clubbing isn’t quite the major deal in Scotland that it is in, say, Ibiza or Miami. But parties under canvas, on boats and in beer gardens have proven to be the best ways for Scots to hedge…

Kapital

5 Mar 2009

MINIMAL Although Kapital’s promoter and resident DJ Barry O’Connell describes his night as plugging a specific hole in the Edinburgh clubbing market, it still draws from a broad spectrum of musical influences. ‘Kapital is mainly minimal techno,’ he…

Student guide: Clubbing hitlist - Glasgow

15 Sep 2008

David Pollock selects the top ten club nights you cannot afford to miss. OPTIMO Riding the crest of a wave for the best part of a decade now, JD Twitch and JG Wilkes’ Optimo (Espacio), which borrows the aesthetic of early 80s New York nightlife and…

Student guide: Clubbing hitlist - Edinburgh

15 Sep 2008

David Pollock selects the top ten club nights you cannot afford to miss. Residents Hobbes and Erik D’Viking DJ all over town, but the eclectic party night Trouble is still their biggest deal. Diversity is key; since the start of 2007, Rob Da Bank…

Andrew Weatherall

20 Sep 2007

If you know dance music you already know Andrew Weatherall. He’s been at the forefront of the scene since the early days of acid house. He’s one of the most respected DJs in the world, his techno mixes often veering off into new undiscovered…

Techno night Unseen aims to shake up Edinburgh's club scene

Special guest Adam X to appear in June

22 May 2012

One of the first shoots of a clubbing revival in Edinburgh is emerging through a group of old-stagers returning home to one of the city’s most enduring venues. Together, Patrick Walker and Mike Lavin started off promoting a nascent trance night called…

Clubbers' Decktionary: Seapunk

A guide to the myriad genres of clubbing, from Trouble's DJ Hobbes

17 Apr 2012

Seapunk proper noun: varied tempos, mixing 90s rave, techno, house and jungle styles, R&B vocals, even speedier beats from Chicago juke/footwork, often cheap, 8bit-style synth melodies and, you guessed it, aquatic sounds. The aquatic theme is actually…

Interview: Ben Sims gets ready for RockNess 2012

The techno DJ/producer among names added to festival bill

13 Apr 2012

DJ Ben Sims has been announced for 2012’s RockNess festival, where he joins Soma Records on the Arcadia UFO stage. With over 20 years of DJ experience, running his own Theory label (among others), he’s renowned for his DJ skills using vinyl, CD and…

RockNess 2012 hosts Hudson Mohawke at Sub Club 25 year celebration

Dave Clarke, James Holden and Andrew Weatherall among dance picks

30 Mar 2012

RockNess today confirmed not only a plethora of new acts for this June’s festival, but a whole new stage designed for hard partying aficionado’s of dancefloor devastation, all in celebration of Sub Club Sound System’s 25 year anniversary. The Arcadia…

Crate Digging: Deetron, aka Sam Geiser

The Swiss DJ gives a sneak peak in his record crate ahead of his appearance at No Strings Attached

17 Oct 2011

Scuba ‘Adrenalin’ (Hotflush Recordings) has been a constant in my set since I got it a few weeks ago, because the crowd reactions are always amazing. The combination of Detroit-ish bassline, euphoric pads and the vocal works beautifully, it’s a real…

Soma night makes a rare visit to Edinburgh for the Festival

13 Aug 2010

Soma Records Night DJ duo Slam are rare visitors to the east coast, but the Edge Festival has tempted them across to the festival once again. Headlining a showcase for their seminal record label, Soma, formed back in 1991 and releasing Slam’s own…

Carl Cox revisits Colours at The Arches

30 Mar 2010

It’s hard not to get excited about a DJ set from Carl Cox every time he returns to Scotland. Picking up the nickname of the ‘Three Deck Wizard’ in the 80s, he’s been at the forefront of dance music since the beginning, and is a true ambassador for…

Todd Terje to play Ultragroove Edinburgh date

4 Mar 2010

By Gareth Sommerville’s calculations this is the 250th Ultragroove. It’s pretty impressive stuff and the deep house and disco night celebrates with a guest set from good friend Todd Terje. So expect Latin funk, crafty re-edits, acid house, dubby techno…

Steve Aoki

30 Oct 2009

We Are …Electric and Sick Note join forces to bring you Steve Aoki, not so much a DJ as a one man industry. In terms of musical output he runs Dim Mak Records home to the likes of Klaxons, Bloody Beetroots, Scanners, MSTRKRFT and other cutting edge…

Marshall Jefferson set for Byblos, Glasgow

17 Sep 2009

Dance music sounded very different before Marshall Jefferson got his hands on it. In 1986, Jefferson played piano over a 4/4 beat for the first time and was told by record companies that the sound just didn’t work. The next year he produced ‘Acid Trax…

Phil Kieran

3 Sep 2009

Two techno clubs celebrate their birthday this fortnight. Glasgow’s Shift reach their third while Edinburgh’s Compakt hit their all important first anniversary, and both nights have decided Belfast boy Phil Kieran would be the perfect guest to help them…

Jackmaster

6 Aug 2009

Jack Revill has had a good idea of what he’s wanted to do for a living since an early age. At least, in fact, since he was 14 years old and managed to score quite possibly the greatest work experience placement from school. ‘I went to work at the…

Headspin

29 Jul 2009

Always keeping it fresh and funky, the Headspin residents supply a four deck mix of hip hop, funk, electro, house and any other flights of fancy that take their mood keeping the dancefloor rocking at all times. For their festival special they invite…

Tiësto

9 Jul 2009

His high-energy trance might not be everyone’s cup of tea, but Tiësto (born Tijs Michiel Verwest) cements his place as the biggest DJ in the world with a date in the huge environs of Glasgow’s SECC as over 10,000 clubbers will be dazzled by his full-on…

The best new nights in town. This month: Confusion Is Sex

16 Apr 2009

Residents Not so much a resident as a ‘creator’; Gamma Ray, former promoter of the Bongo’s Hobo, has brought this new monthly event together. Guests A live show from Berlin-based electro-punks Noblesse Oblige, a headline DJ appearance from Glasgow’s…

Clubbing birthdays

13 Nov 2008

Three Scottish clubbing institutions hit big milestones this month: rock club The Cathouse is 18, the Art School’s regular soul night Divine is 18, and Slam’s techno hoedown Pressure is 10. We asked three regular punters just why they love these clubs…

Ready for the festive floor: Hot Chip interview

13 Nov 2008

What are your favourite Christmas hits? My favourite is the Phil Spector Christmas album, which I think is wonderful and romantic. Of course, there are also the classics, like ‘Little Drummer Boy’ and ‘I Saw Mummy Kissing Santa Claus’, which is about…

Interview: Friendly Fires plan to get the crowds dancing at RockNess 2012

Ed Macfarlane on festivals, pop music and dancing ‘like an idiot’

28 May 2012

Friendly Fires blur the lines between indie and dance music, so their brand of punk funk should fit in perfectly at RockNess. Hailing from St Albans in Hertfordshire they were nominated for the Mercury Music prize for their debut eponymous album, which…

Ride the RockNess Express - train details

The Express will pick up festival goers from London, Birmingham, Derby, York and Newcastle

8 May 2012

As part of the Year of Creative Scotland, RockNess are offering a unique (and environmentally friendly) way to the festival site on the banks of Loch Ness. Picking up passengers from London, Birmingham, Derby, York and Newcastle before dropping them off…

20 reasons to celebrate 20 years of Slam at the Arches

An appreciation of the Glasgow DJ and production duo

21 Mar 2012

1 Slam. We must never forget that at the heart of it Glasgow duo Stuart MacMillan and Orde Meikle are brilliant DJs mixing up a blend of deep house and techno. 2 International ambassadors Slam’s DJ skills are in demand across the world taking…

Kompakt's Michael Mayer to appear at Kapital

We look at the label boss and DJ's career

8 Mar 2012

It seems fitting that as they edge closer to their fifth birthday celebrations in July, that Edinburgh club night Kapital have at last managed to secure the booking of one of their most coveted guests, Cologne-based DJ and producer, Michael Mayer. A…

Lynn Macdonald, manager and promoter at the soon-to-close Soundhaus - interview

The Glasgow techno den plans final parties for massive send-off

2 Feb 2012

The first that Lynn Macdonald (manager and long-time promoter at Glasgow techno den the Soundhaus) heard of the venue’s death was in an impersonal email she found in her inbox when she arrived at work one morning. ‘It was heartbreaking,’ she says. ‘I…

Best of 2011: Clubs

The best sets and gigs, including Plastikman, Ivan Smagghe and Bloody Beetroots

19 Dec 2011

Andrew Weatherall & Ivan Smagghe. Karnival’s fifth birthday featured vinyl vs computer hardware in a delicious back-to-back set that meshed in all the right places for a dynamic and unpredictable set that kept both DJs and clubbers guessing. Karnival…

Crate Digging: Scuba

The Hotflush label boss gives us his top five tracks ahead of his set at the debut EQTV party

16 Nov 2011

The first track they did together, ‘Swims’, still isn’t out yet but it’s one of the most recognisable club tunes of the year; however I think Boddika & Joy O ‘Froth’ (Unreleased) is much better. It’s a lot deeper, a lot more atmospheric, though still…

Interview: Richie Hawtin - Plastikman Live 1.5 tour 2011

Full transcript of interview with minimal techno producer and DJ

8 Nov 2011

Live music concert seems inadequate term to describe your current live show. What exactly is this thing you do now? Well live music exists somewhere between music, theatre and circus right? You're there to entertain and grab the people. I think what…

Interview - Max Cooper

Respected electronica producer and DJ set for Kollektiv show

3 Nov 2011

Max Cooper first came to the attention of clubbers and electronic music fans with his ‘Serie’ trilogy on Traum Schallplatten in 2009, each track inspired by a different mathematical or scientific concept. Since then alongside his own productions he’s…

DJs Radioactive Man and Billy Nasty team up for Radionasty

The twosome are to appear at the Caves courtesy of Jackhammer

17 Oct 2011

Radioactive Man and Billy Nasty have both played Jackhammer before but now they’re back in a new itineration, as two-headed techno mutant Radionasty, and drawing on both their styles to create a fresh new sound. ‘Our first track was quite dark fast…