- Any Dubliner worth his salt knows Tripod; its winding stairs and dark interior are as synonymous with Dublin clubbing as the Molly Malone statue is with American tourists. Its new look decor and the recent installation of a crisp sound system has rubber-stamped its position at the top of Ireland's club ladder. In short, it's Ireland's techno mecca. That said, it can on occasion lack the atmosphere of its smaller counterparts, and typically leans towards the tried-and-tested method of booking trance and techno heavyweights to fill its colossal main room. Still, with Carl Cox, Laurent Garnier and Sven Väth penciled in for the next few months, it's fairly stellar lineup will undoubtedly satisfy the typically cynical Dublin crowd.
This night, however, was all about James Zabiela.
I've been walking up the same staircase for six years, and every time, my anticipation reaches a fever pitch upon my entrance to the main dance floor. Once I'd put the coat in and gotten a drink, I was instantly taken in by the warm, lush sounds of support act Kos, who treated the room to a mix of jacking house and techno, smoothly wrapping things up with an ever-so-slightly overdrawn version of Sebo K's "Diva." It probably wasn't the most suitable way to introduce Zabiela, but it was an enjoyable set nonetheless, which successfully set the wheels in motion for a good night ahead.
Focusing away from his recent tech-house excursion with partner in crime Nic Fanciulli, Zabiela majestically weaved his way through a typically up-tempo set, using the Dublin crowd as a test audience for his new mixes and productions for his soon-to-be-released Masters Series mix. Mashing up techno, electro, tech-house and a slice of drum & bass, the set was frantic and unpredictable in equal measure.
Zabiela, to his credit, was loving it. After his recent self-imposed break to concentrate on production, the man in question lapped up all that the crowd had to offer, and even stayed behind to sign autographs.