There lies a particularly eclectic mix of sounds available to willing ears across Leeds over the weekend, ranging from the left field funk and soul of Romare, bonkers acid and more at the shiny new party, Loft, plus great bookings from established parties Selective Hearing and Clandestino. This week's Essential Clubbing Tip: Always wear shoes on the dancefloor, unless you're specifically asked not to, and even in that case, ensure you check the credentials of whoever is asking you to take them off. Have fun out there.
Romare - Hi Fi Club, Central Road, Friday, £5
Currently signed to Ninja Tune and in the process of releasing his debut album to an already stellar reception, Romare’s diverse music spans afrobeat and experimental influences with a surprising pop influence, capable of ‘moving the mind, as well as the feet’. As such, he’s found huge support among such tastemakers as Giles Peterson, Benji B and Bonobo, and his hotly anticipated return to the decks at Leeds’ Hi Fi Club is a must for any open minded and kind spirited music fan.
Loft - Wharf Chambers, Wharf Street, Friday, £4
Here’s a new one: combining the influence of classic New York parties such as Paradise Garage and yes, The Loft, with a soundtrack of offbeat, weirdo underground electronica and rave, Loft is set to be a party like no other in the city. For this first edition, they’ve invited ‘Scientific Dreamz of U’, who describes himself as both, ‘a synthesist and physicist researching the mystic revelations of science’, having done so through records on underground labels such as Creme Organization and 1080P. Other wonky, cool and altogether groovy styles come from Lee Konintz and a live set from Lobster Theremin artist, Hedge Maze, as well as DJ sets from Linnemann, DJ Hunk and Fromage Frais. With additional visual stimulations all over the shop, heed this warning: this may well be totally bonkers.
Clandestino - Wire, Call Lane, Friday, £8-10
Clandestino and Cave Paintings are two promoters with some of the best musical taste in the North West, and Amsterdam’s genre busting, crate digging Young Marco is therefore the perfect fit for their all encompassing parties. A key figure on the Dutch music scene over the past decade, Young Marco has worked extensively behind the record store counter as well as holed up in the studio, constantly absorbing and experimenting and producing an incredibly distinctive album in the form of last year’s ‘Biology’, complimenting his truly risk taking DJ sets. A great dancefloor experience for both aficionados and casual dancers alike, expect rare disco grooves, acidic proto house and the odd classic, from both Marco himself and a crack team of residents.
Selective Hearing is 3 - Wire, Call Lane, Saturday, £8-10
The party continues the following night at Wire when in the first of a series of parties, Selective Hearing celebrates it’s birthday, turning, can you believe it, five grand old years of age. They’re complimenting the occasion in the manner in which they know best; an evening of absolutely thumping techno, this time courtesy of a three hour extended set by the one known as Shifted, an artist closely associated with the promoters since the beginning. He’s joined by Hypercolour’s Ste Roberts, plus residents Olsen and Kahwe.