- Change is risky. But when reputation precedes you—like it does for Layo & Bushwacka!, a driving force in London's clubbing scene for the past decade—reinvention can understandably lead to great and messy things. So as The End and AKA were transformed into The Den and Centro after much speculation on their future, Layo Paskin and his team had already gone ahead and done their own thing: Warehouse parties with an edge, worthy of their first '90s raves.
Photo credit: Vickie Parker
The spacious place in South East London was revamped for the occasion and provided with a mind-blowing sound system. Set under high brick arches, Shake It! had that familiar mate-of-a-mate's-squatter-party feel, but with a lot more people, more booze and a duo of producers/entrepreneurs on the decks that are still at the top of their game. Familiar faces filled the crowd as well as the staff—a crew of bouncers that didn't hover around the dance floor menacingly or intrude at the slightest hint of misbehaviour. Although the sight of a lit cigarette could really tick them off, they were also soul of the party.
The ambience isn't for everyone. The End and Olmeto devotees aren't the type who are bothered by how they end up looking at the end of the night, as long as they have a brilliant time. You can expect that eight hours of dancing in pouring sweat and a mixture of dust isn't kind to your hair or your shoes, but this kept the weak-minded at bay. It was a muddy, euphoric, sweaty and sweet nest and that's what truly distinguished it from the polished clubs in this city: Here, you couldn't care less. Hell, I even forgave the absence of a proper ventilation system and the portaloos available—dirty and smelly as always, they were still well looked after. Girls in the queue didn't seem to mind much, as they danced to the music with their eyes closed. And to cool off from the heat and engage in conversation, there was even a spacious smoking area and a smaller room with few chairs, tables and couches.
Photo credit: Vickie Parker
But the main room was the mayhem zone, and worth any suffering. I stepped in to find a hundred happy people crammed in front of the impromptu DJ booth, raising their hands and jumping in unison over the hard thumping beats. Consistent and emotive as always, Layo & Bushwacka! paid tribute to the recent history of house music and techno. With an electric atmosphere and contagious energy, the drop of retro classics was majestically received in between the glitchy tribal, tech and acid house tracks. The result was classy, with a smooth outcome. With its infectious beats, the remix of Michael Jackson's "Billie Jean" with a high-pitched vocal gave me goose bumps. It was truly an epic moment, where all present lost their cool and indulged in some full-on Jacko moves.
Photo credit: Vickie Parker
It was hard to resist the groove despite the implacable heat. The tone of the set turned aerial and softer in the last half-hour, before breezing with strength into a sexy and groovy techno tune, closing in typical Layo & Bushwacka! style. And, overall, the blend of impeccable music and relaxed atmosphere quenched the 18-to-40 year-old ravers' urge for that je ne sais quoi that commercially-driven clubs fail to provide these days. It's undeniable that—after all these years—the duo knows the secret that makes a great party: Make sure you break the rules.