Take me out
‘THE BEST THING ABOUT A BOAT IS THAT YOU CAN'T LEAVE'
Bill Brewster
Eternal optimism and the need for a different kind of party has meant the rise of outdoor clubbing experiences. David Pollock reports
ith the unpredictable nature of Scottish
weather al fresco clubbing isn‘t quite the
major deal in Scotland that it is in. say. Ibiza or Miami. But parties under canvas. on boats and in beer gardens have proven to be the best ways for Scots to hedge their bets on the sunshine.
‘We've been very fortunate with the weather to date.‘ says Ronnie Muirhead. promoter and DJ with Glasgow‘s popular house all-dayer Sunday Circus. ‘lOur venue] the Courtyard is a bit of a hidden gem. stuck between four office blocks in the middle of the city. The exposed brickwork has a raw feel to it which really helps add to the atmosphere. and we can cover most of the space with a canopy and a circus-style gazebo so it gives us the perfect opportunity to make a daytime. outdoor party happen in Glasgow.‘
The Courtyard has held various other outdoor parties in the past. with the outdoor arrangement Muirhead describes offering a combination of fresh air. warmth and seclusion from the rest of the city: this month‘s event features special guests Tom Craven and Adam Proctor from Manchester’s BackToFront night. Another monthly all-dayer happening the same weekend will be the Drawing Room bar‘s BBQ Beats, which is run by those behind the venues Quiet Riot night. Although its focus is primarily live music. there will also be DJs and. of course. a Sunday barbecue out on their patio.
For those who want to make a real day of it. however. classic 80s and 90s R88 and soul night
Groove Theory will be decamping to the waters of
Loch [.omond on July‘s first Saturday for their third
annual Cruise Theory boat party. ‘I think one of the best things about a boat party.‘ says the club's DJ Naeem. ‘is that you can’t leave so you pretty much have to let your hair down and get on with it. Partying on a boat isn't something you generally associate with the urban scene in Scotland. so I think the uniqueness factor captures people’s imaginations too.‘
Not forgetting the monthly Edinburgh Boat Party. with a shuttle bus departing from the ()uthouse and featuring a set from DiskoKitten this month.
There‘s much more yet to come over the summer. for those who want to stay outdoors such ()ptimo and Melting Pot‘s Waverley River Boat Shuffle (Fri 24 Jul). The first time the Waverley Steamer has been used as a club venue. this event will see ()ptimo‘s Twitch and Wilkes join Melting Pot resident Simon (‘ordiner and special guest 1)] Bill Brewster (Last Night (1 1).] Saved My Life) for a boat trip tip the Clyde and then a secret—location warehouse party on into the morning.
Then. of course. the lucky few thousand who have tickets will already be going to Scotland‘s most famous outdoor(ish) clubbing experience — T in the Park’s Slam Tent. which opens for business on Sat II and Sun 12 Jul.
Sunday Circus, the Courtyard, Sun 28 Jun; Groove Theory’s Cruise Theory 03 departs from Tao Bar, Sat 4 Jul; BBQ Beats, the Drawing Room, Sun 28 Jun (all Glasgow); Edinburgh Boat Party departs from the Outhouse, Edinburgh, Sun 28 Jun.
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CUEFLOOR ACTION
>2: Club for Heroes ‘Busting moves, breaking hearts and freeing minds' with a double feature of underground disco superheroes: Honey Sweetcheeks and House of Traps. Wee Red Bar, Edinburgh, Fri 26 Jun.
at: Pins & Needles Wonky Italo house with a live set from Den Haan. Sneaky Pete ’3, Edinburgh, Fri 26 Jun.
2%: Pinup Nights It’s a festival- themed edition of the band and guest DJ-Ied Pinups this month, so bring your own camping gear and loo roll if you must. Flying Duck, Glasgow, Fri 26 Jun.
tel: Kissdatunk Old-school trance legend Rob Tissera comes to Byblos for a special guest appearance. Byblos, Glasgow, Sat 27 Jun.
2%: Glasgow Mod Weekender The clubbing element of Glasgow’s annual mod extravaganza (pictured) comes highly recommended. particularly an appearance by Michael Wink (Blow Up, Berlin) at the Brunswick on Sun 28. Winchester Club, Glasgow, Fri 26 8. Sat 27 Jun; Basura Blanca, Brunswick Hotel, Glasgow, Sun 28 Jun. Numbers Erik & Fiedel (MMM) and Guido & Gemmy (Planet Mu) help the Numbers team celebrate their big sixth birthday. Sub Club, Glasgow, Fri 3 Jul.
at: Untitled A new indie night launches at Sneaky’s taking in the best DJs from Dogtooth, Black Tape and Hobo for some guitar action and odd electro beat. Sneaky Pete ’3, Edinburgh, Fri 3 Jul.
La Roche Rumba Another eclectic disco party from the Rumba team, with live band Nevada Base and a DJ appearance from Club For Heroes' Jetlad. Pol/0k Ex- Servicemens Club, Glasgow, Sat 4 Jul.
25 Jun—9 Jul 2009 THE LIST 35