Eternity - Club Review - Ireland
We had heard a lot about the scene in Ireland and
following our article which featured Ireland a few months ago, we
decided it would be best to go and see for ourselves. There had been
enquiries for one of Eternity Magazine’s DJ’s, Mark E G, who as most
of you will know plays Techno and Trance. This was a perfect
opportunity for us to go over and experience what we had heard
should not be missed. Techno is the kind of music we found to be the
favourite with most people we spoke to, and breakbeat we understand
does not go down very well at all. The crowd seemed to react to
happy, bouncy Techno and together with a happy, bouncy vibe, this
made a weekend to remember.
We set off from Manchester airport and arrived in Belfast at around
7pm, we were met and driven to our base which was a couple of hours
drive west at a place called Strabane. That night we visited a club
called Tudor Rooms in Fion Mills, a night promoted by the highly
respected crew from Intelligence. We would describe the night as a
total success, not to capacity, but any more on the dance floor
would have left little room to dance. When Mark E G went on the
decks the crowd reaction was at first, one of surprise. The opening
track was a gradual build up that soon banged in, sending the crowd
wild.
An excellent set of some of the best underground tunes around, and
creating a massive interest in the Mad Man himself, Mark E G. The
set that followed, was the best set of the night, played by the
resident DJ X-RAY, obviously a favourite of the Intelligence crowd
that were jumping and dancing to the loud bouncing sounds, it must
be said that DJ X-RAY has a lot of respect from everyone in the
club, and after listening to this set, it was well deserved.
Although we had been dubious about travelling to Belfast this night
had changed our views totally.
The crowd proved that whatever problems were going on outside in the
country, the dance floor was a place for bringing people together, a
point we shall elaborate on in a moment after explaining the next
night out.
After a few hours sleep, we woke to a beautiful day, which was
welcomed with open arms as we had to travel for around 1 ½ hours
further north to a club called Kellys, at Portrush. This is probably
the largest, most famous club in the whole of Ireland, and although
it is a long drive for many, it pulls in the crowds every week. On
arrival we looked round the venue, it must be said we were
absolutely impressed. Not only a club, but a restaurant, hotel, bar
and whole complex that is in another class, and a dance floor to
hold a capacity of around 2500 and a sound system to blow your mind.
The night opened up with resident DJ SC1 an interesting set of
Trance which progressed to a finale of Techno. A set proving the
versatility of the crowd and although it was obvious this was not
exactly what they wanted, it was an excellent build up to the night.
Next up was Mark E G. Well, what can I say? A lot of people had seen
him the previous night and travelled to see him a second time round.
Yet again a set unusual to this crowd, but a set that impressed and
went down well. In normal Mark E G style, he jumped around and
shouted to the crowd proving his love for the music he played, and
wanting to get closer to the people that listened.
The MC passed him the mic, he stopped briefly and looked with fear,
but quickly put it aside and started to MC and sing to prove himself
as a total showman. The crowd loved every minute of it and everyone
seemed disappointed to see it end, I must admit however, I was glad
to get a rest after a solid hour of madness and dancing. Then again,
it was worth it.
Next up was a P.A. by Awesome 3. I think the most polite way to
describe it was an anti-climax, I’m afraid I was not at all
impressed and by the way the crowd stood and watched, I don’t think
they were impressed either. I managed to dance to one track that I
recognised, but the rest just didn’t do anything at all. We spoke to
the singer later, who told us she had been contracted in and she
hates the rave scene, unfortunately you could tell. Anyway, this
left a perfect opportunity for the resident DJ X-RAY to bring the
crowd back to a peak and that was exactly what he did. Playing a set
as good as the night before and proving himself again as a talented
DJ.
This brought the night to a sad end as the music eventually stopped,
the crowd just wanted to go on. The night could have been busier,
but again if any more had been in, you wouldn’t have been able to
move. A lot of people has saved themselves for the following week
when P.A. Dream Frequency and Ultra Sonic were performing. We have
heard that it was so busy, people were turned away and I hate to
think what it was like on the dance floor.
This has been a perfect night as far as we were concerned, everyone
we spoke to had told us they had experienced an excellent night out.
We talked to a lot of people to get a general feel for the scene in
Ireland, the reaction was what we expected after watching a happy
and almost old skool vibe, which is today hard to find. Everyone was
pleasant, shaking hands and absolutely no attitude. People were
there to forget all the troubles and have a right to party.
We had heard before travelling to Ireland about Protestants and
Catholics coming together, we were interested to speak to people
regarding this. We spoke to one lad Kevin Mclfatrick (Yeti) who is
Catholic and told us how he had met a Protestant that night and made
good friends, he told us how countless others had done the same and
how they all wish problems would cease. The dance floor and the
House scene, are pushing these problems aside and bringing together
people that diplomatic talks have found impossible. This is proof
that the scene and the music moves things in a positive direction,
pushing aside problems the majority don’t want.
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