In recent news, Grime fans around Newcastle were brutally disappointed by Wiley’s last minute cancellation of a scheduled set at World HQ last month. Also known as Eskiboy, the MC allegedly emailed the guys at Pirate Material hours before he was supposed to perform, understandably causing the excited cries of ‘ayayaya’ to deteriorate into insults. Rumour had it that Wiley was tucked up in bed and feared coming to the North East because it was ‘too cold’. Social media conspiracies aside, was Wiley really missed? On the Sunday night, the headlining Godfather of Grime had been booked to play an underwhelming 40 minute set, so even if he had turned up there wouldn’t really have been much point. Rather than admitting defeat and cancelling the event, Pirate Material hosted a rave with their residents in Wiley’s place, and I’m going to say that it was musically superior to an arrogant prick whining about some chick nicking his Rolex. Pirate Material’s high reputation is still intact too, as they still danced the night away following such a blow, and have since booked the likes of Ms Dynamite and Dub Phizix & Strategy. Acts cancelling on the day isn’t rare unfortunately, as last term I was supposed to see Jungle DJ at Future Funk but they pulled out for undisclosed reasons. As someone who isn’t a Jungle fan, this didn’t bother me and I was over the moon by their replacement of DJ Luck & MC Neat, and the wonderful Benton. I’ll probably cry if Mike Skinner cancels his upcoming performance, but we can still party without big names.
You Need To Hear: Floating Points
Last week I got tempted into paying £15 to see a DJ that I hadn’t heard much about. Bringing his geek chic from Manchester, multi-talented Producer and Neuroscientist Floating Points has notably been generating a buzz amongst my peers at uni. So, I took their word for it and headed down to my second home of World HQ for a night of ‘ambient techno’, as someone had described his music to me. This niche genre did shine through in parts, but the disco diva within me was ecstatic to find that Sam Shepherd’s set was dominated by Funk and Soul, fresh from the vinyl. This is just a minor example of this classically-trained musician elegantly floating between electronic and live formats, as he was recently awarded with the accolade of ‘Best BBC Radio 1 Maida Vale Session’ for bringing 16 live performers into the studio to form the Floating Points Ensemble. If you like your music served chilled and jazz-infused, you’ll love this.
Listen To: Floating Points – For Marmish:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wJN-Eum8D0Y
Preview: A Guy Called Gerald, 12th February, World Headquarters
One of this term’s most highly anticipated musical events takes place on Friday, as the legendary A Guy Called Gerald makes the rounds to Newcastle’s World HQ. Renowned for the Acid House anthem ‘Voodoo Ray’, this Mancunian producer from the late 80s is bringing his diversity to a place where it is more than welcome. With over 10 albums to his name, Gerald Simpson’s work boasts the electronic likes of House, Techno and Drum and Bass, with a Trip Hop flavour on some tracks. This is especially potent on the 2000 album Essence. Personally, I’m yearning to hear the bass-heavy tracks led by a female vocal from this record which I associate so much with A Guy Called Gerald. The well-known ‘Humanity’ sung by Louise Rhodes will go down a treat, as well as my own personal favourite, ‘Hurry To Go Easy’ which opens with twinkly Connan Mockasin-esque guitar work and features vocals from Deee-lite’s Lady Kier, of ‘Groove is in the Heart’ fame. Although the central theme of this ethereal tune seems to be substance abuse and ‘magic mushroom jazz’, I can guarantee that Gerald’s set alone will get everyone’s ‘senses wide awakening’. Although I’ve only listened to Essence so far, a minute fraction of A Guy Called Gerald’s discography in the grand scheme of things, his Boiler Room set proves that familiarity isn’t necessary to enjoy this guy’s soundscapes.
Sophie Ahmed