- Natalie Coleman and Ed Jones have been bringing London their Mooch nights since January 2009 at The Horse & Groom, a full-blown East End pub. Pumping basslines and deep grooves rattling off pints of Fosters and packets of peanuts aren't the usual images we conjure up when thinking of house/tech music, but it's worked. Mooch has filled every nook and cranny of its unique setting, and paved a trend for nights such as Shoplifter, Darren Smart and Craig Richards' popular new disco venture.
For their June edition, Mooch decided to change its venue to Aldgate's Hub Club, a large square space. Live visuals, a great sound system, a hot headliner and a bigger space with a 6 AM close. On paper, Mooch had ticked all the boxes. But in reality, the venue was far too big for them and their following, the fluro visuals only added to the uncomfortable atmosphere created by the lack of crowd and they were competing with Glastonbury, Audio Werner at 1001, a Hybrid Life showcase night featuring Theo Parrish and Redshape, Magda and Jimmy Edgar at fabric and a string of local nights.
It's too bad: Alongside Mooch's residents Natalie Coleman and Yellowcake the line-up boasted Huxley and Guti. Huxley, a relatively recent face on the deep house scene, was first up after resident Natalie Coleman and delivered a consistent, fluid, deep and groovy set. Playing to a small crowd who were feeding him nothing, he held his own. Guti didn't disappoint with his live set either. The Argentinean-born artist makes the sort of jazzy brass and strings house music that has flooded the scene in the past few years. But there's something different about the way he does it. He is Latin American, he is a trained jazz musician and pianist; those influences are genuine.
More importantly, he puts them to good use: His knowledge and experience seeps through his music, a fusion of his classically-trained past with his increasing talent for electronic. Despite the lack of ideal surroundings, he gave it his all, his Cheshire cat grin never leaving his face as his Latin grooves proved irresistible not to move to. As he played, a room clearly lacking in crowd and atmosphere finally (and briefly) gained the magic I'd been waiting for.
Despite Mooch's good intentions, it goes to show that however great the line-up and however well-planned the details, without a crowd, a prospectively great party can turn disappointing all too quickly. As the old saying goes, "If it ain't broke, don't fix it." Mooch is enjoying a successful run in a fast-paced industry, there's no doubt they'll be back next time in all their glory.