Greg Wilson - Williamson Tunnels - Freeze - May 31st 2014

It was in a tent called Stonebridge, at the back of Glastonbury festival last year, that I first heard a set by Greg Wilson. My friend, an ever reliable source of information on all things danceable, had suggested we all make the journey over to this tent and I had no fear I was in for a decent night. This was far from a decent night; this was one of the best nights I have ever had in my 28 years on this earth. It truly felt special in that tent. My friends and I still constantly listen to this set when going to other nights to get us in the mood and I listen to it at work to get me through. In truth I will find any excuse to give it a cheeky listen. From the opening swirls of the Fatback Bands "I Found Lovin'" to the Rolling Stones "Honky Tonk Woman" at the end. I instantly feel happy and ready to dance. 

Let’s forward to now. May 2014 and Greg is playing in the Williamson Tunnels, Liverpool. Just walking around Liverpool at the moment seems to give you a buzz. We are being blessed not just by some fantastic football this year, but also by a thriving scene that is showing no signs of slowing down. We, in truth, are starting to get spoilt by some of the events being put on in this quite incredible city. I can’t be the only one feeling blessed to be around while this seems to be happening around us. The Williamson Tunnels is a cavernous venue. The dance floor seems to suck you in from the back of the room until you have helplessly shuffled your feet to the front. It feels like every note of every track bounces back off the walls of the tunnel and straight into your ears. So in many respects I could not have wished for a better venue for the second coming of Wilson in my life.

Freeze Event Poster

I'm not sure whether it’s coming across to you. But I had built this one up in my head long before this evening and sometimes there is no living up to the hype you can create. But it seems the dance Gods were with us for this one and not only had we already assembled a decent size dance crew to attend this evening, but a couple of extra mates were thrown in last minute after winning even more tickets. The Party Steed as ever would also be in attendance and so, conditions were suddenly perfect for another evening of Greg Wilson magic to occur. 

We arrive around 11ish and Derek Kaye is on before Wilson. This makes the night a little more exciting. At the Stonebridge set last year, Greg dropped a Derek Kaye remix of "Ain't Nobody" by Rufus & Chaka Khan, again it's one of those tracks that has stuck with me ever since that night. So I had been looking forward to what Derek had to offer. He didn’t disappoint. He started with Carly Simon's "Why" and over the first 60 minutes he gifted us more beautiful tracks; "Thinking of You" - Sister Sledge, "I'm Goin Out of My Head" - Late Nite Tuff Guy and then just before the hour mark he dropped my track of the night: "Suck My Sausage" by Voodoo Whiskey. 

I was already uncontrollably flailing and thinking "I’m John Travolta" by this point. Even before I heard "Turn the Music Up" by the Players Association but then he well and truly finished me off with "Soul Power" by Space Echo. It’s a stunning and mesmerizing 1 hour and 45 minutes. It's hard to believe that this isn’t the main act. It is that good. He did more than enough to convert me into a fan and I will be looking forward to any future opportunities to dance in front of this man.

Party Steed

It hardly seemed fair that after such a fantastic couple of hours already we were now to be treated to another couple by Greg Wilson. But I’m a greedy, greedy man and I was now salivating for the next part of this night. He continued where Derek left off playing those disco classics. "Oops up side your head" by The Gap Band and "Saturday Nite" by Earth Wind & Fire. But it was within moments of gracing us with his presence, Greg dropped  "Lovely Day" by Bill Withers. This was truly the special moment of the night. One of those times where you could feel everyone’s euphoria over a simple laid back track. Everyone can put their arms round each other and sing away. It's a simply flawless pick.

Wilson then began to shift upwards through the gears. We flowed effortlessly from the 4th gear disco vibes that had been the theme of the night to 5th gear. Absolute dance floor classics. "Good Life" - Inner City followed into hyper drive "Strandbar" - Todd Terje. I would happily dance to this song if it was on a two hour loop. Its pulsating bass line sends the heart racing, its samba beat sends you into a dancing fever and then that piano hits you and your body just loses control. It was hard to believe anything could follow this, but the tunes just kept on flowing. "Chime" by Orbital and "Blind", a Frankie Knuckles remix of Hercules and Love Affair.

Now reaching the final stretch, we were flipped back again to those classy disco vibes with Patrice Rushden’s "Haven't You Heard" before sending us out of this world with a psychedelic mix of "Tomorrow Never Knows" by the Beatles. Finally leaving us on America's "Horse with No Name". It was a perfect way to end by Wilson, as again we were left swaying and singing along. It was simply breathtaking to witness, a joy to be a part of and lived up to whatever hype I had set out previously. 

Whoever you are and whatever music you enjoy listening to, I find it hard to believe that you can't come to a night like this and let your hair down to music like this, played by DJ's who clearly know when and what songs to spin at any given moment, in sets as wonderful as these. I was converted last year and I’m sure anyone who was there on Saturday night was converted this year. Did you miss it? Fear not. Greg is playing another set in Liverpool at the Bombed Out Church in July. I would encourage you all to come along and have a dance. It may just change you in the way it changed me. I'll be the one at the front, in the dodgy shirt, thinking "Tonight, I'm Travolta"

You can listen to both sets and also the Glasto set by clicking the links below:

Derek Kaye's set  https://soundcloud.com/dj-derek-kaye/derek-kaye-live-set-freeze-williamson-tunnels

Greg Wilson's set https://soundcloud.com/clubfreeze/greg-wilson-freeze-williamson-tunnels-liverpool-310514

Greg's Glasto set https://soundcloud.com/gregwilson/glastonbury-stonebridge-27-06

A Bugged Out Weekender - Sunday March 9th 2014 - DAY 3

A Bugged Out Weekender – Day 3 – Sunday 9^th March 2014

The 3^rd day of a festival is often accompanied by the missing of my bed, the longing for a wash and is usually the day I start to long for home. Tired and running out of money, I say to myself that I shall take it easier on this third day knowing full well I’m in work the next day and that I have to drive to get there. But as with the other days I soon realise this is a different type of festival and that in turn means I feel slightly different about the day ahead.

Awaking from my slumber as the clock hits 3pm. I have optimistic thoughts of what we can do this afternoon before getting tucked in to some glorious dancing once again. Again I immerse myself into the luxury of getting a shower in the morning and freshening up. Why can’t every festival come complete with a private chalet? And Unlike most festivals where my money starts dwindling the closer I get to the end, I am astounded to look into my wallet and find a handsome amount of cash. This is no doubt due to the price of a beer being £2.30, half what you would pay at any Leeds, Reading, Download type festivals. And there was no reason to part with my hard earned money here by throwing it away on fair rides and overpriced beef burgers. Here at Pontin’s, the mini golf, the go karts and the family bikes are all free.  

The weather slightly gloomy but staying dry, it is time for the chalet mini golf tournament. We grab the clubs from reception, one a toddler’s size and one slightly larger but about as straight as a banana. Hey it’s free, what did we expect. We make our way over to the course. And looking ahead at hole 1, it is clear early on that this is well in need of a lick of paint and some of the obstacles should probably have been condemned long ago. It suddenly dawns on me that this is a mini golf course that hundreds if not thousands of kids must come to play on every summer season. But what we find on our way around is ramps that don’t work, holes that look like they have been cut through by a blind man and perhaps most disturbing are the dolphins which seem to have been mutilated and left to rot. Not the most children friendly environment and I’m sure many a kids dreams have been haunted by the sight of those dolphins upon a visit to Pontins. No score card was kept on the way round, but I’m confident I won, though I’m sure this may be disputed by the other players who all claim they won too!

After seeing the standard and maintenance levels displayed on the golf, we decide to body swerve the go karts so that we don’t die and instead opt to part with some of our cash by getting a clay oven pizza for £7. I can’t stress enough how delicious this pizza was, worth every penny! Then we decide to drink away our disturbed thoughts over those maimed dolphins in the pub next door. Unsuccessful we then head to the chalet to plunge more alcoholic concoctions down our throats in order to make the last night as good as the others. It works and by the time we head out we are nicely merry ready to dance the heels further off my Chelsea boots.

Leaving a little later than planned the first act we get in to watch is Boddika. Upon entering the room it is obvious that this is a harder techno than what had come the previous nights. And in all honesty I am not convinced that the weary souls on day 3 of a festival can handle the harsher tones being served up. I head to the bar, a mistake in itself, I time from the minute I get my body to the bar to the time I get served. 35 minutes. It’s utterly ludicrous service and to be fair most of the staff show their discontent towards the crowd, rather than wear a smile on their face. Deciding to make a point half way through being stood there, I attempt to alert a staff member to my long wait, he decides to ignore my complaint, instead grumbling about how the staff did not know this event was taking place before the weekend and that they were not happy. Like it matters, it’s your job to serve drinks, now where is my pint dickhead?

Somewhat forgivingly, eventually I get my lager, and I’m away to the dance floor, I had heard a lot of Boddika’s set while grumbling at the bar, and I soon realise that perhaps this was the perfect musical accompaniment to a last night. Tired souls and tired legs would probably be flaking out had the music been slightly less aggressive, and the thumping techno beats certainly woke me up. A new Radioslave tune is served up called “Don’t Stop” it isn’t released yet but it explodes through the room, look out for this one when it comes out. Boddika ensure that no weary passengers are thinking of an early exit this evening.

Intoxicated with the techno and booze and putting all my energy into my ridiculous dancing technique, I miss the point Boddika finishes and Joy Orbison starts. Embarrassingly turning to my friend to ask “What time does Joy Orbison start mate?” “Er… he came on half an hour ago” How the fuck did that happen. The techno was melting my brain. Sure enough we had brought the steed out to the big disco again and sure enough everyone flocked to him to say their farewells and let him guide them to a glorious last night. Hoisted upon high, and pumped hard up and down to the bass, he was looking after me now and not the other way around.

After Joy Orbison comes Carl Craig. One of the big Detroit techno names and certainly the act I was looking forward to most on this final evening. I am not to be disappointed, this would be a glorious release of my inhibitions as I throw my hands in the air on numerous occasions, the energy in the room is not tailing off one bit. The room is like a furnace and the sweat is dripping off our faces but everyone there loves every moment, Carl plays “Blackwater” by Octave One and sends the whole room in to euphoria. “How to play our music” By Reece and Santonio further mesmerises the captivated disciples in the room, it’s an incredible penultimate set.

And then as the hours were falling away we come to the last act on a quite remarkable weekend of dance music. And entertaining us at the very end would be Dave Clarke, a name which perfectly fits Bugged Out and its anniversary celebrations. Picking up the energy immediately where Carl Craig left off. There is no time to rest as the set starts off with the same intensity as the previous acts. Everyone in attendance determined to give it their all for the last act, the room is bouncing. Dettman’s remix of Bad Kingdom by Moderat sends the steed sky high once again, and then All Day by Gingy & Bordello remixed by Robert Hood finishes any ounce of control I have left. With every beat my body is more and more lost to Dave’s control. It is a stunning end.

As the set ends and the crowds start to disperse, I try and find fault with this Bugged Out Weekend and I honestly struggle. It has been one hell of a journey the last three days and inspired by some great DJ’s and some awesome new friends on the dance floor and of course our very own party steed, every soul walking away that night can start their journeys home the next day with smiles on their faces. And so it’s a congratulations to the organisers on converting me completely to this festival. I will be there next year for sure. Perhaps it won’t be at Pontin’s Southport, as to be fair the only criticisms would be aimed at their lacklustre staff and dodgy mini golf. But wherever it is, I’ll be there, with the heels of my Chelsea boots fixed and ready for another stellar weekend.  Roll on next year!

A playlist of tracks from this night can be found here http://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLJGKdp0TfS-cqPJ7FKWYjtaE8uuRZOKCP

A Bugged Out Weekender - Saturday March 8th 2014 - DAY 2

A Bugged Out Weekend – Day 2 – Saturday 8^th March

It is when I awake on Day 2, I realise what a glorious situation we had found ourselves in at this festival. No scrambling around in a small tent, with the almost impossible task of brushing teeth with a water bottle while hung over to buggery. Here I arise at 11am, from an actual bed, with an actual pillow and perhaps somewhat fortunately no banging headache. A little groggy I delve right into the shower the chalet provides. The shower room light flickering away like a bad horror movie, I am undeterred and absorb myself into the luxury set out before me. I suddenly realise the gods have smiled down at me, I am clean and I feel fresh and best of all, no hangover!

After awaking my chalet mates and telling them of the good news. We set out to find the pub on site, The Queen Victoria. Today is FA Cup Quarter Final Day and I am a big Everton fan and we are playing Arsenal for a chance to go to Wembley. I have bought a scratch card from the shop and won £3 (It Cost me £2) and feel this is a good omen, victory is all but certain. Upon finding the pub, we are met with a blank screen, and most people are still sat down having their breakfast. It’s a little early and kick off isn’t for half an hour. So we order our pints and decide to wait. It is here we first realise that perhaps not everyone was feeling as fresh as ourselves, with our party mascot “The Steed” in tow. We realise that carrying around a horse this early was not the best tonic for the people who had over immersed themselves into the substances the night before.

@PartySteed

I’m not sure I know who to blame for the next 90 minutes of my life. But a lot of people are in the firing line. First off, the blame lies with Pontins. Firstly for putting on the wrong game for the first ten minutes, secondly for there being no sound to accompany the first half and thirdly because the expert channel hopper who eventually found the right game, did so at the moment Arsenal scored! I also have to mention that I blame Arsenal for being better than us on the day and Everton for letting me down again in a quarter final. We lost 4-1. There was now only one thing to do to get over the result, and that was go to the pool party.

I was told of a pool party earlier in the week, excitedly I packed my Bermuda shorts ready for a picturesque dance next to some scantily clad ladies in bikini’s, drinking and splashing about while 2 Bears played old school Ibiza style dance music to accompany the setting. It turns out that in my head I had hopped on a plane and gone to Ibiza Rocks instead. Upon entering the pool area, I soon realise this was not what I had envisaged. 2 Bears are playing but the music feels almost secondary as no one in the pool is paying any attention to them and instead most are throwing the rather large inflatables at each other for entertainment instead. That being said I strip to my bermuda’s and decide to take on the croc run. A giant inflatable assault course shaped as a crocodile. Kid’s stuff I snigger as I stand at the side waiting for my go. And as my first foot bounces off the crocodile I fall helplessly sideways into the pool. How embarrassing. Inevitably I do what everyone else has decided to do at this “pool party” and that is having a go at throwing the ridiculously oversized pool inflatables up into the air, before getting out, drying off and leaving.

Pool party

The second night of acts were upon us. And tonight after the success of the steeds outings to the pub and pool earlier, we decide why not take our horse with us to the big disco as well. Though inevitably going through the vigorous search process with a toy horse under your arm, certainly warranted some unwanted attention from the big burly bouncers.

Ten walls are on in room 1, which will be our first act of the night after opting to drink a lot more in the chalet this evening rather than take our chances with the bar service. I feel that this would have been better served in the early hours though rather than the 10pm time slot it was given. A huddle of girls taking selfie’s at the very front rather than listening to the music told the story of a crowd not really knowing what they were supposed to be doing. Then comes the irresistible synth tune “Gotham”. The crowd instantly more onside and paying attention, this song is one of the big house anthems at the moment and really is the highlight.

Ten Walls

We now make the move into the more preferred room 2. There is just something about this room that seems to make it a better atmosphere, the bar decked with the slogan “It’s just a big disco” and “Viva Acid House” this you feel is where the party people and the music lovers have come to let loose this weekend, and we are not disappointed when Kerri Chandler pops up next. A behemoth of the house scene, Chandler hurls us all into madness. It is tune after tune of explosive house anthem and I can’t stop my dancing feet. Personal favourite Chic "I Want Your Love" destroys all my inhibitions and forces me into a frenzy of shape making. Many ask how I dance in my Chelsea boots, well as long as brilliant DJ’s like Kerri are playing, those winklepickers will be moving fine. He ends with MK's "burning" and it is an immaculate finale, everyone throwing themselves to the vibe.

Heidi continues the party on stage and it’s halfway through her set when I first realise the attention our friend the Steed is receiving, wave after wave of girls coming to give him a kiss and party revellers taking him above their shoulders and pumping him up high, he is their party mascot for the evening and it adds to the occasion. Murmurs of a Mixmag party now start to surface around the room. This party would take place in one of the chalets we were all staying in, and as Jackmaster takes to the stage, we ask him if he is playing, he is and even he now takes the steed and hoists him into the air. This was going to be a special night!

Jackmaster

An intense build up at the start of Jackmaster’s set really increases the energy around the room. Everyone ready for the moment the beat drops and then the madness begins. Incredible party tunes from a DJ who really knows what songs to spin to get everyone dancing like crazy. There was an incredible feeling between crowd and stage as the other acts, as well as host Heidi danced away together and raised their drinks, saluting this magnificent set from the Glaswegian. Fast becoming song of the weekend Todd Terje’s “Delorean Dynamite” thrust us into a frenzy and the only downside to this set was the fact that it ended.

But all was not lost, we had been told of chalet 951. And at 6am we were on a mission to find the Mixmag Chalet party, after a couple of wrong turns, we had done it. Only to have the door well and truly shut “I’m sorry, there is already far too many people in here” Our heads down and our eyes like puppy dogs, we were about to turn away in disappointment, when in a flash the door swings open. A god of a man in a yellow basketball shirt bellows and screams “There is still plenty of room in here” we charge through the door and into the party. It is crammed, hot and sweaty but we were in.

Jackmaster had made his way over too, already stood behind the decks in this tiny room. A tequila bar stood where was once a chalet kitchen and drinks were free. Everyone in attendance revelling that they were one of about 60 people who would get to witness this special set. The door was now locked and everyone inside told “No one gets in and No one leaves” No one is bothered and a  big cheer erupts as Jackmaster explodes into “Delorean Dynamite” once again. And to truly emphasize how small this party was, it was in this moment that someone leant on a plug socket and mistakenly turned the power off. For a couple of minutes, the party was halted. “Put another £1 in the meter” was the cry showing no humour was lost. The party is soon on again, with some glorious moments, Jackmaster plays Prince’s Controversy and Purple Rain back to back for the real hands in the air moment with everyone singing along.

Jackmaster @ Mixmag Chalet Party

It is around 8:30am when the party starts to wind down, but not before Jackmaster cries the eternal words of “Tops Off” no one argues and suddenly everyone is waving their shirts above their heads wildly as we dance to the last couple of tunes. As we all leave that miniature chalet, it’s a feeling of utter euphoria. What a night this had been.  The football result long forgotten, a heel now breaking on my Chelsea boot from excessive dancing but in our hearts a love for life and moments etched forever in our memories.  It was a night that those in attendance will not forget in a hurry, this was the night we could say we were there.

A playlist featuring some of the songs from this night can be found here https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-_PzTxqJEDw&index=2&list=PLJGKdp0TfS-fW5uuGGIOUglRkYeoW2GzA