Decked out: Dave Seaman Dls at Cream at the International Club Festival
Beats international
As a deluge of culture hits the rest of the city, Edinburgh's punters have something of their own to dance to this August — the International Club Festival. Words: Simone Baird
Every August. Edinburgh swings into insanity mode as the Festival and Fringe come to town. Despite being major events. they have little direct relevance
to the average club-goer — with the exception. of
course. that there will be a few more eccentrics on the streets to deal with as you weave your sorry way home.
This year. however. the Festival hits clubland directly in the eye with its very own ‘International Club Festival‘ to be held at Teviot Row every night from August 7—30. Here are the essentials:
Who? The brainchild of (lax. Long. Tony Foster and Owen Quin have helped bring the project about. What? Five different 'clubs‘ in the one venue every night. ‘Five Clubs on Five Levels for £5.‘ is the tag- line.
When? Every night from Fri 7—Sun 30 Aug.
Where? Teviot Row (Venue 14) in Bristo Square.
This used to be the Fringe Club. and has a capacity of
2000. Why? The grand theory behind the event is to present a broad spectrum of British club culture in the one venue. The aim is to showcase as much British talent as possible whilst keeping the price minimal. ‘We want to create a venue where people can have a good time for a low cost.’ says Tony Foster.
Limited time and money can make choosing a club night in an unfamiliar city. or indeed country. a
pretty daunting prospect. With venues like The Vaults and The l-loneycomb offering unique and unusual entertainment spaces — and long-running clubs like Pure. Tribal Funktion and Taste standing as well- known nights — the Club Festival will have to work hard to pull in large numbers.
In a bid to draw in the crowds. the promoters have looked to the big names like Cream and The Ministry of Sound to impress. However. they haven't ignored the local level for support with. for example. Edinburgh record store Uber Disko hosting two nights. The first will see the launch of liber Disko‘s
new label. Platoon. which specialises in trancier
dance music. ‘We are over the moon with the way the label is being received and obviously we want to give it the best reception possible. It looks like this is it.‘ says Uber Disko‘s Barry Fraser.
The showcase of local and national talent does look impressive. as do the enduring big names coming up to host special nights. Whether it will be enough to draw such large crowds every night during the Festival in what is traditionally a quiet time in Edinburgh's clubland is anyone's guess. but it could well transform the capital‘s summer scene. Highlights Expect the Cream residents to launch the International Club Festival on Fri 7 Aug; the
Spinback launch party. with a ridiculous amount of
London Dls. is on Sat 8 Aug and The Ministry/Colours residents visit on Tue ll Aug. Mixmug and Mitzi/v will be both hosting nights on Fri I4 and Sat 29 Aug respectively. Five DJ agencies will be showcasing their books and there will be two Cream of Manchester nights on Sun 23 and Mon 24 Aug.
On a local level. liber Disko launch Platoon on Sat 22 Aug and follow with a residents' night on Fri 28 Aug. Edinburgh club Normal bring Normality
here on Fri 21 Aug. and there will be a number of
guestings by local residents throughout the Club Festival.
For daily International Club Festival events, see Festival club listings.
Club news
The bits and pieces that don’t fit anywhere else
MANY BARS AND clubs will have a later licence during the Festival - wah-heyl Bars may stay open until
3am with most clubs getting 3 Sam licence, nearly all yet to be confirmed. If you think you‘re hard enough . . .
CRAIG BURGER QUEEN has split from Huggy citing ‘irreconcilable differences‘ thus ending their successful promoting and remixing partnership. The split has occurred only weeks after they closed their ultra-successful Burger Queen club. Craig will continue to remix and produce and has set up five new record labels.
THE VAULTS WILL be opening its bar every Sunday-Wednesday nights throughout the Festival. Phone 558 5092 for more details.
IF YOUR FAVOURITE Club is at Wilkie House, don't despair during the Festival. Most of the clubs have away gigs planned during August and their residents will be guesting about town. Teviot Row will host Joy, Luvely and Normal nights whilst Sublime will return to The Vaults for a one-off. Check the listings closely for exact details.
EVERYONE IS GETTING musical. Look out for the second Fire Island
release ‘Bacon Popper' on Perfecto; hip hop producer and mc Reachout has released ‘Everything U Knew‘ this week on his own label Oh Eye Records; and ‘We Came In Peace’ by Spacejunk (Murray Richardson) has been picked up on Low Pressings, which is due out at the end of August. Check these out, they deserve your full support.
FOR THOSE WANTING a road trip, consider this. Think Again at The Pelican Club in Aberdeen has booked Murray Richardson on Fri 7 Aug to play his Andy Weatherall-type deep house and funky techno. Phone Paz on 01224 574 603 for more information.
THE HELLFIRE CLUB, now officially Britain's best fetish club, is looking for more live performers. Phone your details to 0141 5691451 or send them, with examples where appropriate, to Hellfire, Box 666 666, Glasgow, G42 9Y1. Hmmm, those ‘examples' would be interesting to see.
THE SUN MAY have been lost en route but respect to all who wear their ‘who cares, it‘s meant to be summer‘ clothes and sandals out and about in the rain. And the wind. To the stares of the shivering tourists. Grrr.
6—13 Aug 1998 raeusras