- 2020 Visions' Day: Night "festival" was as close to what one would consider to be the epitome of a bank holiday party as you can get: Two venues, a lineup that included Steve Bug and Maya Jane Coles and a total running time of 20 hours (10 AM-6 AM).
Kicking off at one of London's most unique venues, Shoreditch Underground, the Day part of the event was comparable to a delicious starter at a restaurant that leaves you full and satisfied, yet still wanting more. The venue is located at the now disused Shoreditch tube station. Rather than renovate the building and lose its character, the owners have kept almost all the original fittings, gutting the upstairs ticket office and installing a bar, while downstairs (which is largely covered) features a row of steps at the back where clubbers can peer down on to the dance floor below. Best of all, it's right next to the train tracks that lead out of Liverpool Street which means, every so often a train zips past as you're dancing like there's no tomorrow with your friends.
Unfortunately, Steve Bug was on so early that we missed his set. As the day progressed, the sun managed to creep its way into both the upstairs and downstairs parts of the club, adding to the experience. Downstairs, Ralph Lawson and Ewan Pearson complemented the sunny outlook with a string of uplifting tracks. Particular standout moments came courtesy of Hot Natured's collaboration with Ali Love "Forward Motion" and the Tale Of Us remix of Thugfucker's "Disco Gnome."
As night began to fall, Village Underground opened its doors to accommodate the Night part of the event. It had a very simple set up—a DJ at the front facing a massive dance floor, and possibly the highest ceilings you'll find in any club around town. One reveller commented on the almost homely feel of the place, "I can imagine bringing some mates back here after a night out and playing a few tunes on the rig." Mark E and jozif did a sterling job of getting the club fully warmed up before Maya Jane Coles made her appearance. By the time she made her way on to the stage, the jam-packed Village Underground was virtually at fever pitch.
The 23-year-old producer has made a strong impression on the house scene with her simple, yet ultra slick and hypnotic rhythms, and with such a receptive crowd it would've been easy for Coles to just throw on a bunch of crowd pleasers and sit back while everyone lapped it up. She shook things up, however, throwing a few curveballs into the mix and keeping the ravers on their toes. It was just one of the many reasons that this party was so successful.