- 2016 was a year of goodbyes, from clubs and record shops to beloved cultural heroes. Electric Minds, the London-based house and techno party run by Dolan Bergin, was one of the year's final losses, bowing out on a high after ten years of operation. The finale went down at Corsica Studios on New Year's Eve, with Bergin joined by party regular Move D and Mark E, who was drafted in last-minute as a replacement for Mr. Ties.
I got there just before midnight to find the club primed for the countdown. Moments later, confetti and colourful balloons cascaded from the ceiling, engulfing the jubilant hordes below. The crowd was warm and welcoming, and you could sense how excited everyone was to be out and seeing in the new year among friends. Mark E was on the decks in room two, playing a mix of cosy disco, classy edits and jazzy house—Glenn Underground's "Contact (Nova)" was a particular highlight. It was the kind of set that has you on the dance floor early, setting the tone for the revelry ahead.
Move D was the night's main attraction. I hustled my way onto the main room's sweet spot—you'll have to ask one of the sound technicians if you want to know where it is—as he rolled out gorgeous, groovy house like his own recent "Want Some," a track off the final EP on the Electric Minds label. He slid between records with ease, moving between lighter and darker tones by way of long, smooth blends. The vibe was soulful and upbeat, with a strong percussive pulse keeping energy levels up. It was a performance that will stay with me for some time.
As a party, Electric Minds strikes that rare balance: it's atmospheric and easy to lose yourself in, while also paying attention to the finer details that make good nights great. NYE was a session to be savoured, one that would've appealed to most clubbers, whether they were new to the scene or seasoned vets. Corsica Studios stayed busy right till the end, which was testament to the quality of the music on offer. It was a fitting end to a night that's held a special place in London's clubbing hearts.
Photo credit /
Jake Davis