- There was a time in the mid-noughties when it seemed like half of London, if not the world, realised all they needed to put on a party was a (somewhat) decent sound system, a garage or car park rented at great expense, and one or two mates who could download the latest bangers and string them together using their laptops. If there is one single reason why very few of these parties survive past their first couple of financially crippling events, it is that one crucial ingredient was missing from the equation—people.
Although, arguably, it takes little skill to burn a cool grand on equipment and venue, there are experienced and successful promoters who perhaps couldn't thoroughly explain exactly how they manage to fill a venue with heads week in week out—you either have it or you don't. So it was a relief to see that the team behind new London promotion Tief clearly have "it" in great abundance, and have opened their account with a successful party.
One of the party's main draw cards, Tom Trago, is held in high regard for his boogie-tinged beatdown productions and, played the standout set of the night, moving through a selection of deep house and techno that appeared strongly influenced by the label who release his productions, Rush Hour.
Photo credit: Sophia Whitfield
Corsica Studios is without doubt one of the outstanding venues for underground music in London, and the sound across both rooms is of a high quality. The larger bass bins housed in Room 2 often, though, attracted the majority of the crowd towards the latter end of the night, on this occasion leaving Room 1 somewhat sparse for Lawrence's set.
Nevertheless the Dial ambassador succeeded in guiding the dedicated through a maze of his own sometimes ambient, sometimes head high productions, and left those who crave this kind of house in the capital feeling well looked after. Meanwhile, in Room 2, the Feel My Bicep duo from Belfast had set the stage for an appearance from Brighton's Greymatter. Taking in house classics and recent anthems alike he brought the room to a thundering peak with Julio Bashmore's "Battle for Middle You."
Much has been said about the new interest in house and techno music amongst younger DJs, but it is only now that a younger crowd are also coming back to four-to-the-floor beats. If nights like this are the outcome, then everyone involved should celebrate. Crowds who know the tracks, want to dance not talk, and are out exclusively to have a good time are making a welcome return.