Room 2 opening in Glasgow

  • Moodymann helps cut the ribbon at the new La Cheetah-run club.
  • Share
  • The launch of Room 2 last weekend marked the second club to open in Glasgow in as many months. While other cities in the UK struggle to safeguard their cultural spaces, Glasgow's appetite for dance music is driving regeneration. Room 2, which is run by the team behind the popular club La Cheetah, occupies the city-centre site of former venue Chambre 69. Room 2 stuck to Chambre 69's layout, keeping the lowered dance floor and elevated DJ booth. By midnight on Saturday, which was the second of two consecutive opening parties, the energy inside was gathering momentum thanks to La Cheetah's long-time residents Wardy and Dom D'Sylva, whose impressive opening set kept the dance floor rocking with a combination of deep house and the odd acid twist. Moodymann is a favourite in Glasgow, so inviting him to headline the celebration felt like a smart choice. The crowd cheered him on with a joy and enthusiasm that seemed to spur on the larger-than-life figure. His set seduced the room, taking in everything from disco and funk weapons (Gwen McCrae's "Keep The Fire Burning") to a medley of Talking Heads and Fatima Yamaha. Things peaked when he cut the music to hear the entire club sing the chorus of "Dreams" by Fleetwood Mac. "Pick Up" by DJ Koze hit the spot at around 2:30 AM, followed soon after by a thumping track by Bjarki. All the elements of a great party were there. The room was full but not uncomfortable, and the sound was consistently well balanced across the space. People chatted and laughed in the smoking area, sharing stories of excess from their Chambre 69 days. Moodymann was equally vocal, using the microphone to build a rapport with the floor. Proclaiming us all "beautiful motherfuckers," by 3 AM he was waxing lyrical about roller skating and playing his favourite skate jams. Glaswegians love to dance as much as they love top patter (the Scottish art of good conversation). Afterwards, I managed to grab a few words from Wardy, who I bumped into looking flushed and elated during Moodymann's set. "We heard the same thing over and over again at the weekend—that it's great to see another venue open in the city." Photo credit / Olly Geary & Cain Martin
RA