- Milan's underground-oriented parties aren't yet part of the city's core clubbing business. That said, those who are doing events outside of the commercial clubs are slowly making a name for themselves. Only 300, a secret itinerant party held on a regular monthly basis, is among the best. The foundations for the event were laid in 2007 when Gigi Ursomarzo and Alessandro Soffientini from Limelight met DJ Reddman and started throwing their first illegal parties in town. The following year Limelight turned commercial, and Ursomarzo and Soffientini left the club to join forces with Reddman.
Only 300 has been special in the Milan scene due to the exclusivity of their party locations. They've held events in lofts, deconsecrated churches, basements and warehouses. On this night, it was the nearby Linate airport—a warehouse with a high ceiling, black and white walls, a cool lighting system and a good sound system. When we get in a bit after midnight, fifty aficionados were already on the dance floor. Resident DJ Mark Brunn was keeping them busy with a mix of deep and Chicago house. As we had a drink at the bar, we learned that there is a strong Roman contingent, chatting to a couple of guys that know a number of people that have caught a flight to see Only 300 in person.
At half past one Vera takes to the decks, starting with some cool deep house, and then soon moving into more acidic and tech-y territory. Shlomi Aber's tune "The Majestic" and Ramadanman & Appleblim's "Void" are undoubtedly the set's highlights. At 3 AM it's Markolino's turn. The Italian DJ, record shop owner and label manager starts his set with a Deeply Rooted House record, followed by some analogue dub techno. It's a trend that continued: Markolino played dub techno and raw house throughout his too-short set, playing to a rapt crowd that largely remained in the venue until the lights were turned on at 4:30.