We find out more about the collaboration between two Notts promoters helping to shake-up the dance floor...
As electronic music continues to pique people’s interest, competition throughout each city and within their respective scenes naturally grows. Here in Nottingham, our nightlife too has gained somewhat of a reputation by those operating within it of having a few hurdles to jump – but that doesn’t stop a healthy flow of entrepreneurs with rave-shaped stars in their eyes from doing so anyway, to great success, and to the delight of our groove loving population.
Two promoters preferring to collaborate rather than compete, all in the name of giving us a proper place to dance, are The Waves and Project Gas. Deciding that three brains are better than one, they’ve joined forces for their festive sweat-fest at The I Club this Friday.
“This event at the Irish Centre will be the official Project Gas launch.” Reveals Callum, one half of Project Gas, “We took what we believe to be a different approach to most local events in how we went about throwing our first party.”
Any Instagram addict will know what exactly he means by this. Project Gas has been playing the long game, steadily growing a following over the past year or so with its carefully selected archive 90s rave imagery, much to the joy of those who frantically double tap them, alongside running a stonking Soundcloud mix series that features a few familiar faces.
“Project Gas is all about re-claiming the immersive club culture of the 90s, where raves were reserved for those “in-the-know” and secret warehouse parties reigned supreme, removing this notion of VIP culture and filming instead of dancing,” Charlie, the other half of Project Gas, tells us.
“Our ethos has always been about creating something for those that enjoy underground techno and want to support local artists, just as much as they’d support big names in the industry, and we feel strongly that incorporating local talent is the foundation to our recent online success. These artists help reflect what’s happening in Nottingham musically right now, and people are responding to that.
“Louis (Knight) was in fact one of our first guests (for the mix series), after he put us on at one of his nights. It was clear to us that he shared the same vision for the future of dance music and its culture.”
Louis Knight is founder of The Waves who after using Berlin as his base for a year, settled his dancing feet in Nottingham and has been throwing parties inspired by his time there since last January - not to mention a New Year’s Eve bash planned this year in Leicester. In case you’ve missed his house and techno events at Rough Trade, Bodega and recent go-to venue, Red Bar, as well as jaunts at the Nottingham Street Food Club, he delves deeper into what it’s all about.
“The European clubbing scene has a completely different ethos and clubs there have different policies making the experience a whole new concept to what we have in England. Were aiming to keep it as underground as possible by using different venues and we make each event a different style; there’s so much on offer in Berlin and we want to portray that here too. We’ve done basements raves, small intimate events at Rough Trade with local upcoming artists, 12 hour parties at The Bodega with over 15 DJs and have also hosted bigger raves with headline acts. Extra elements such as digital projections, film projections, hand painted art and printed clothes are other things we like to use in venues to transform it into an atmosphere that feels like Berlin.”
While his night does a great job of bringing the fun solo, he explains why he’s called in the troupes for this special night.
“There are benefits (of joining forces) for sure. We now have endless opportunities to work together on projects and already have common respect for each other. We are more than joining forces because now, we’ve become mates ‘n that too!”
Callum adds to this, “We actually met almost by accident. Charlie first met Louis in a club and they kept in touch. He gave us a slot at his next event and after that we started talking and (doing something together) just came from there really. It was pretty obvious that we were both had similar ideas for our nights and the music we were putting out so we decided to come together for an end of year event.”
Louis adds: “Basically, we are both trying to make the same difference to the scene in Nottingham. Both are focused on leaving no stone unturned when it comes to the basic fundamentals of running a successful music event. The Irish centre also creates a old school rave feel which goes hand in hand with what we both want to achieve.”
The party this Friday sees both members of Project Gas (TABS and Wotkinz) go b2b with Louis and Waves Resident Kairo. The night will be kicked off by Jacob Gulliver b2b MLĀNO, who will opening the floor to the 3 headliners: De$ignated, Sian Bennett and Truska, who have an impressive collective CV that features Sankeys Ibiza residencies, Warehouse Project sets and Radar Radio regular appearances, respectively.
“Together we compiled our resources and knowledge along side budget to curate a sick line-up with a mixture of established and upcoming DJs,” Louis says of the selection.” But that’s not all, with many more sensory delights in store, as exciting for the organisers as it is the ticket holders.
“We have drafted in a professional light designer/engineer to put on a customised live light display. Alongside big stacks of Funktion ones - it’s going to be on point.”
Running a party without sampling other nights on the rave circuit would be fools play, so we pick the brains of our party starters to explore those that have inspired this weekend’s ‘do.
Charlie comments, “I think it’s safe to say that both of our visits to Berlin inspired the type of atmosphere we want to bring to our events back home. When entering venues such as Tresor, Watergate & Sisyphos you’re asked if you know who’s playing and what kind of night you’re about to be getting involved with. All clubs also enforce a no phones policy, which really resonates with us. It’s small differences like this that have a big, positive impact on the night-life in Europe.”
Louis finishes, “Wigflex is obviously admiral with what Lukas has done for the scene, bringing some of the hottest DJs in the world to Nottingham too.”
For those with itchy feet and a thirst supporting local, collaborative nightlife with a very clear cause, this Friday’s joint party at the I club looks set to offer an alternative way to celebrate as 2017 draws closer to its end.
Want to know what to expect at the new night? The Waves & Project Gas share with us a sample playlist...
Reform - The Agreement [ebt205]
Simone Tavazzi - Paradigm [ARTSDIG004]
Privacy - Broke [DollyDeluxe4]
John Hester - Lets Go [Klockworks 20]
Plant43 - Gathering Storms [Grid Connection]
The Waves & Project Gas with De$ignated, Sian Bennett and Truska is at The Irish Centre on Friday 8 December 2017. Facebook event.
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