- Now that notsosilent have kicked off their second season in London, they're starting to feel like more of a fixture in the capital. Even before the run had started, the kind of artists they had lined up—Roy Davis Jr., Maurice Fulton, DJ Sprinkles—suggested the parties were to have the same relaxed and tasteful vibe as last year. In 2014 the events took place at different venues. This year they're all happening on the terrace around the back of The Union Bar And Grill in Regent’s Place, a short walk from Euston station.
The back area of the restaurant, a courtyard with a wooden terrace and saplings decorated with paper lanterns, is closely surrounded by tall buildings. As a result the party wasn't bathed in sunlight, but nobody seemed to mind much. The temperature was comfortable, and the sense of privacy that it provided, not to mention the abundance of space, made the atmosphere friendly and upbeat. (They were office buildings, too, so the noise levels were ample.) On the dance floor, people were smiling a lot and hugging, others were sitting on the planters enjoying pulled pork burgers from the barbeque.
DJ Sprinkles's music was the perfect match for the vibe. After resident Ray Philp's laid-back warm-up, the US DJ came on and immediately started working the mixer, playing a set heavy on her own productions. Gentle deep house, serene but with substance ("Kissing Costs Extra"), led into more energetic sections ("A Crippled Left Wing Soars With The Right"), which every so often peaked and had everyone cheering, before settling back down again.
She handled the energy in the room brilliantly, so that each track felt part of a longer continuum. As dusk started to fall, the music became more intense but still melodic, and a couple of people climbed the trees, which instigated more communal bouts of cheering. Leading into her last track with the monologue from British Murder Boys' "Hate Is Such A Strong Word," we were reminded of the way that DJ Sprinkles's music works on a number of levels. It called time on an afternoon that was as interesting as it was relaxing.