- Since late last year, Life Bar has been playing host to a residency from Chris Duckenfield at a night named The Idiots Are Winning, a phrase taken from Chris Morris's well known Shoreditch TV satire Nathan Barley. True residencies are becoming an increasingly rare specimen these days, and although there are plenty of residents who perform at their own events, it is now quite seldom to see one DJ playing a peak time set at each of their parties, especially when the night takes place in the same venue every time. In keeping to this old school approach and choosing a venue that's some way off the beaten track, The Idiots Are Winning have succeeded in creating a vibe that's a million miles away from the identikit Shoreditch parties they parody in their name.
The top floor of Life Bar houses a Japanese restaurant, which is considered by those who know to be one of the best in the city. During the week, the basement houses a shop selling an array of Japanese trinkets and keepsakes that would no doubt excite collectors of rare toys and other cult Japanese memorabilia. In the evenings, though, the shop is closed, and a second room, which houses a bar and a newly installed Martin sound system, is opened up. For this, their third event, TIAW invited Luke Solomon and Rob Mello to guest. Solomon was a resident of legendary Bar Rumba night Space during the '90s, the night credited by many with kickstarting London's underground house scene. Mello has a similar heritage in some respects, also appearing at the Space nights, and, more recently, at the T-Bar's Dig Your Own Rave sessions.
Photo credit: Sparkle Eye Pixelcake
The night began with a nicely chosen selection of deep house and recent disco cuts from promoters Louis Finch and Jake Manders. Chris Duckenfield stepped up shortly after 1 AM, and immediately piled on the pressure with Dee-Lite's lesser known acid house anthem "What Is Love," before moving into some more stepping acid disco selections. Solomon and Mello both veered in the direction of underground house, pulling out Moodymann's "Freeki Motherfucker" and a slew of disco edits, eventually playing back-to-back for the latter part of the night to devastating effect.
Were it not for the early work of pioneers like Solomon, Duckenfield and Mello, nights like this would probably not exist. It's easy to get excited about new brands and new names in this fast moving internet age, but when it comes to putting on a good party, those seeking a night out should remember that experience counts a great deal more than hype.