Blueprint party at Cable

Saturday night, Cable, Blueprint Records party, one room, James Ruskin, 3hr Marcel Dettmann and Ben Klock back to back set. Of course once again we had to go through the usual super anal security check of Cable to enter the club. Even though their security system is enough to put you off from going there, the security staff is actually quite nice! Got there at midnight and stayed until about 4am. The venue wasn't too busy, which was a relief, as it made the night so much more bearable than other times... It wasn't too crowded, we didn't have to queue for too long to get a drink, the crowd quite young often looking like it was their first techno party... but overall quite happy with the setting! Musicwise, what is there to say? Really enjoyed Ruskin's set, he played some nice tunes, the crowd seemed to enjoy dancing quite a lot! Then the long awaited back to back set of Dettmann and Klock. Dettmann started with his usual darkish sound and the set continued like that! Didn't stay till the end, but I can most definitely say I was happy to be there! I have to admit though, I have seen both Dettmann and Klock at Corsica Studios before and it was far better there... 

Bloc Weekend 2011 - Day 1

This festival has become a must attend event to anyone into electronic music. I've been at Butlins in Minehead on the 2nd weekend of March for the last 3 years. We get to Bloc around midnight. By the time we get our keys, we find our chalet and we are ready to go it's 2am.

Stop 1 Centre:Bloc to see LFO who hasn't played in the UK since 2008. It's good, but I stay only for 10mins as I simply have to rush to Tek:Bloc to see Shackleton, whose set is as always deep and atmospheric with his distinctive eastern/oriental sound.

Shackleton, Deadman by honest jons

After Shakleton I rush to the Red:Bloc to see Ben Klock who once again proves to be one of the greatest techno DJs with his raw and hard set. Then back to the Tek:Bloc to see DJ Pete; I think if it is techno you are after, just seeing Ben Klock and DJ Pete is more than enough to feel complete, even though they both played just for an hour, which wasn't quite enough. I think especially in techno, sets should be at least a couple of hours long, giving DJs enough time to build up their sets and get the crowd taken over.

I then end up at the Jak:Block, the only room open after 3.30am. Taken over by Plex, I get to see Ancient Methods, Silent Servant, James Tec and Jamez. I really enjoy all Plex DJs, but head back around 8am.

I think even though I enjoyed a lot the first day of Bloc, it was far from flawless. There were long gaps between DJs and there seemed to be issues with the sound. While DJs were playing there were sound engineers on stage changing cables etc. This was definitely not the case in previous years.