JOY ORBISON Life Fri 6th
While he might have only been in the spotlight for a year of so (but what a bright light!), Mr Orbison Jr has lived behind the decks since he was 13 when his uncle, d’n’b legend Ray Keith, introduced him to jungle and garage. So, basically, he knows what he’s doing. Though he’s lumped in with dubstep he’s really got more to do with deep house, coming on like a Detroit version of Matthew Herbert. If you’ve read any interviews with dance producers recently you’ll know that his productions have his peers wetting their knickers, so expect pure intricate quality all the way through his set. (JK)
EVIL NINE Digital Sat 14th
It’s a very exciting time right now for Tom and Pat – new direction, new label, new blog and more. If you missed their ‘Ultimo’ track a couple of months ago you might think that they’re still on the electro thing (they gave up breaks years ago, of course) but actually they’re heading up the incoming 90s house revival. The next single features El-P and in the meantime they’ve remixed Gorillaz. Last time we spoke to them Tom was doing the DJing while Pat worked at home. As this is a hometown gig maybe we’ll get a rare return to dex’n’fx then. Expect it to be jackin’ anyway. (JK)
FLOORPLAY • Coalition Sat 14th
It must be nice when you have to shoot home from touring Brazil to play your own kicking night, as electro house stars Prok & Fitch have to these days. Actually sometimes it’s Ibiza. Or somewhere else glamorous. This time out they’ve got Australian superstar DJs the Stafford Brothers in tow. If you haven’t heard of them, to give you a vague idea of how massive they are in their home country they’re coming down to Coalition with a full camera crew to record for their reality TV show. Releases on Toolroom, Defected and Ministry will see them just as big here soon. (JK)
KRAFTY KUTS • Digital Sat 14th
Now here’s a change – Supercharged plugs into Digital with head honcho Krafty Kuts. The Against the Grain DJ never fails to get the crowd bouncing with his quick mixing of feel good dance music including his own supreme productions like the funky ‘I Need You’ and riotous ‘Backup’. Plus he’s just released his own iPhone app proving Krafty’s still one of the most cutting edge artists out there. Brooklyn based AC Slater joins him for some genre smashing party anthems and Gameboy beats. (ZC)
GLADSTONEBURY Gladstone Fri 20th-Sun 22nd
It’s a good day’s work when you come up with the idea of a three-day festival in the Gladstone pub down on Lewes Road and the name Gladstonebury pops into your head. But the pats on backs don’t end there. For a start the crew behind this yearly event are aiming to raise £1,000 for Hove based charity, Whoopsadaisy, who help kids with cerebral palsy lead a more independent life. But no one wants to hang around a pub feeling worthy – is it going to be any fun? Damn straight. The line up is really impressive, with JFB, Geometri, Nomark and many others on the decks while New Groove Formation, The ASBOS and Zora & The Tatsmiths take to the stage. We’re intrigued by The Gyratory Allstars too. There’s also performance, arts, face painters, a kiddies session too, if that’s not enough for you. (JK)
MARCUS INTALEX Audio Friday 20th
Marcus Intalex has been releasing tracks since 1994 and as one of drum’n’bass’s veterans he’s got a record collection to make your eyes bleed. As a producer he errs on the side of thoughtful d’n’b and his tunes always have a soulful groove. Tonight he’s supported by forward thinker Commix and Brighton hero Cyantific, whose surgical productions for Hospital are like full-on movie scores, and have cemented his name in the liquid scene forever. (ZC)
WHERE THE TRAFFIC GOES • Cobbler’s Thumb Sat 21st
Traffic is an irregular, but necessary, dose of “Anti-Tory independent pop music” from DJs and musicians Andy Action (Socialist Leisure Party, Action Painting!) and Tam Bam-a-Lam (My Name In Lights). Taking its name from an old Jasmine Minks single, Where The Traffic Goes sees the pair mixing up jangle pop, soul and rock’n’roll classics, old and new. Visiting guest DJs from the UK indie scene occasionally join them below the dartboard too. (DL)
CHEW THE FAT Audio Friday 27th
Audio smashes the Bank Holiday weekend with this top-dollar bill. Headlining is Foamo, the 21-year old who’s been cracking out wobbly basslines and fidget-driven remixes for the likes of La Roux, Mystery Jets and Major Lazer. He’s joined by Lee Mortimer and his bass-heavy style of house, as well as electro dubstep blends from Randomer. The raucous Bare Noize, who’ve got airplay from 1Xtra’s Mistajam, and next level funk courtesy of Linton Brown also make a showing. (ZC)
NORMAN JAY Coalition Fri 27th
Tonight is flagged up as 30 Years Of Good Times which, is exactly what you want from Sir Norm. His Notting Hill mix up and throw down parties are beyond legendary – even the Queen gave him an official thumbs up. Soulful, funky, proper dancing music, the selection is serious but the atmosphere is anything but trainspottery. After three decades there will be some great tunes – we’re hoping for that old bootleg of Hall & Oates ‘Man Eater’ over the beats of Jeru’s ‘Ya Playin’ Yaself’ that he used to play ten years ago (before the mash up era ruined that sort of thing by overkill of course). (JK)
DOORLY Digital Sat 28th
Shades Rave is going from strength to strength (see page 22), and this month they manage to steal a very busy Doorly away from the beautiful beaches of Ibiza and his jam packed schedule playing at Reclaim The Dancefloor and Ibiza Rocks. Tonight he’ll rock Digital with the Blah BlahBlah DJs for an evening resonating with his twitchy and unhinged remix style which has seen him rework tunes by MSTRKRFT, Groove Armada and Kanye West. The Shades godfather returns. (ZC)
JUDGE JULES Honey Club Sat 28th
Although I had a run in with Judge Jules that has led me to finally give in to a long held feeling that he’s a cast-iron fucking prick, there’s no denying that this is a great booking for the Honey Club that ought to be absolutely roadblocked. The only thing is that now I can’t say a nice word about him. Still, we thought you guys would want a heads up that he’s in town since he’s on Radio 1 and does the insanely popular Judgement Sundays in Ibiza. Have fun without me. (JK)
EVIL EDDIE RICHARDS Honey Club Sat 28th
Trace – co-promoter of London’s Smartie Party with Claire – used to do the percussion at the Mudd Club and Ministry of Sound, where he reckons they really knew how to party. Aiming to invoke the same hedonism, they started their own nights, quickly heading back to the Ministry. And now, after 15 years, they’re here in Brighton, bringing their dancers, visuals and – of course – live percussion. Along for the ride is tech house pioneer Evil Eddie Richards, his first time at the Honey Club despite more than two decades of DJing. He’ll be bringing a dash of the Clink Street acid house spirit. (JK)
DUBFIRE Audio Sun 29th
Fucking Dubfire! In Audio! As they say on the Internet, OMG. Sure, getting Carl Cox and Digweed into a club as small as Audio was very impressive, but perhaps this is even more of a coup. The ex-Deep Dish legend has come on leaps and bounds since winding up that partnership, both with his neo-techno productions and with his essential imprint Sci+Tec. ‘Roadkill’ and ‘Ribcage’ were both great bolts off the starting block but ‘Rabid’ grabbed Best Minimal/Techno Track at the IDMAs recently. Go and buy a ticket now. (JK)
STICK IT ON 10TH BIRTHDAY ALL-DAYER • King & Queen Sun 29th
In a city where club nights often change with the tides, it’s reassuring to see Stick It On reaching such an important milestone. This all-dayer sounds messy already. Everyone knows the concept of the thing – you show up, get a few prized records from your collection a public airing, walk away smug that you’ve entertained the punters for a bit. Remember though, no one needs to hear the Grange Hill theme tune ever again. DJ Derek has his usual skanking slot, more guests are to be announced. (NC)
FRICTION • Digital, Sunday 29th
Shogun Audio hosts their head man, Brighton-bred Friction. Propping up the bill are Nero, who’ve been shaking up both the d’n’b and dubstep scenes over the last couple of years with tunes like ‘Act Like You Know’ and ‘This Way’ featuring Alana, and Noisia whose ‘Machine Gun EP’ got remixed by Spor, Amon Tobin and 16 Bit – the latter rework being total sonic annihilation. Alix Perez, the North London young gun producing some of the most soulful drum’n’bass around also joins them. (ZC)
WORDS BY ZAC COLBERT, NICK COQUET, DAVID LETTS, JAMES KENDALL