- Well, well, it’s great to be home clubbing in familiar territory once more. Velvet Underground holds a special place in my heart because it’s where I was first exposed to the soulful and deeper end of house music. My music foundation and knowledge practically began here. So it meant something to me, to be going back to the place where the journey to the other side of house music started.
We entered Velvet just before 1am and found it packed and crowded! It’s good to know that it’s still bringing in the crowd after all these years, even with competition from new clubs and pubs across the island. Its success lies in its consistent deliverance. Velvet Underground is a beautiful club with amazing décor, plushed red (velvet) sofas, hanging chandeliers and original art pieces from the late Andy Warhol. Dimmed lights lend it an air of intimacy. The bouncers are friendly and the service from the staff is excellent. But a club cannot just rely on such elements. The music has to be right too. And Velvet Underground's residents have always delivered quality sets.
That night was no difference with top performance by Resident DJ Brendon Pereira. He kept a tight reign over his set of deep house interspersed with garage, funk and soulful sounds and vocals. At times he threw in uplifting Latin-infused tunes with some serious percussion to work the dance floor. Nice. Jetlagged though I was, it didn’t stop me from moving to DJ Gregory’s Vasefa and King Britt’s Uzoamaka. Having my old mates with me was a plus factor as well – it was just like old times! Brendon also played Gregory’s Elle – a melting track that never failed to touch my heartstrings poignantly and an old favorite of mine, Fade by Solu featuring Kimblee. Beautiful vocals indeed! There was hardly a lapse in his set. If anything, Brendon’s playing has progressed tremendously and he seems to have found his own comfortable sound and direction. I just wished the crowd was a lot more appreciative because he’s really good. I personally felt that people weren’t interested to pay attention to the music he's playing. The music only serves as a background.
Brendon still gave his all (as he should anyway). M People’s One Night in Heaven pulled us back to the dance floor just as we were thinking of leaving. It was a trip down memory lane! Hearing this track rekindled the memories of yesteryears. And each time I wanted to head home to sleep, I kept staying for one more track. Finally my exhaustion couldn’t be ignored. But what a homecoming it was :)
Brendon Pereira plays Saturday nights and some weekdays in Velvet Underground.