Exclusive report from the dancefloor as Jeff Mills and Feel My Bicep hit town
Words – Matt Caldwell
Northern Ireland has for many years now been a popular stop on the UK tour dates of the very top end of the DJ spectrum and with the likes of Shine offering Belfast regular treats from the best in the business – it’s a city that’s increasingly producing nights and line-ups that would stand out anywhere. Over their no less than 20 years of life – the Shine team have invited a comprehensive line-up of House and Techno pioneers to their endless streak of events that never failed to attract the biggest crowds in Belfast, or anywhere else in the country. With their historical flyer catalogue boasting the likes of Carl Cox, Sasha, Dusky, Dave Clarke, Green Velvet, Richie Hawtin and hundreds more from the very top of the food chain – Shine have been a leading light for as long as they’ve been in business. In a country with a population smaller than Manchester – the successes of those driving the large-scale events and a refined underground scene deserve all of their plaudits as they continue to push Northern Ireland’s electronic music society forward.
With family Christmas formalities done and a few days spare to recover in time for New Year’s Eve – Belfast turned up in force for a night of quality House and Techno on 26th December for a Boxing Day special that’s become a golden ticket event in recent years. The Mandela Hall was once again transformed into a stage to host a collective of past legends, up-to-the-minute world leaders and promising future talents. The large hall made way for a customary stack of speakers and DJ gear – ready and waiting for a sold out crowd.
The Wizard
51 years young and still destroying everything in his illustrious path – Detroit kingpin and Techno god Jeff Mills painted a familiar scene at the Mandela Hall in Belfast for Shine. Surrounded by CDJs with a 909 acting as a steering wheel to his tank of a setup, he commanded the packed crowd with a relentless barrage of his world-famous breed of Techno. As ever with a Jeff Mills show – the 909 beats away, ensuring maximum velocity on the sub frequencies is just a button and fader away for a pioneer that’s made it his trademark to squeeze that little bit extra bang out of anything he’s playing with a little help from some analogue friends. Stepping up the pace from what was already a stellar start to the night – the don took things up into a pacier and harder-edged performance that commanded the always-lively Belfast crowd.
Feel My Bicep
Local lads and no doubt one of the most exciting modern exports of the UK underground – Bicep made it home for Christmas and treated their hometown faithful to a superb foray of percussive and bass heavy goodies from their bag that ensured any extra holiday indulgence calories were more than burnt off as they knocked the stuffing out of Shine’s impressive system. Wrapping up what’s been a year of international travel and repeat success for the label – the Bicep boys laid down the perfect warm up to the king of Techno and made it a perfect homecoming for a team that are more often than not tending to an international tour diary. Another Christmas present from Shine and Feel My Bicep was a display from fellow imprint leader Hammer, rounding off the label’s representatives for the night’s festivities.
Wolf Music favourite Medlar was left contemplating Belfast to be on the to-do list for every Boxing Day after his set and I can see why. Up and down the UK like a train and around the world for tour dates all year – Medlar’s had more than his fair share of nights in clubs in 2014. When not on the road or adding to his vast record collection – he’s racked up a solid discography of his own work, which much like himself pops up at events across the globe.
Tribal Sessions/Sankeys favourite Holly Lester wrapped up a year to remember, headlining the support rooms and reinforcing why she’s in constant demand of some of the most reputable event brands around. Local up and coming talent on show from Shine came from Schmutz, Swoose and Cromby – all popular figures on the circuit in Belfast and more proof that the city’s got plenty to shout about when it comes to House and Techno.
A 3am finish for clubs in Northern Ireland is a regulation that the whole community has had to live with, which is a shame as the Shine faithful would no doubt be happy to dance on into the later hours – but what’s lost in time is more than made up for in the hours that the events are open. Maybe some day we’ll see a change in attitude towards late licencing restrictions, but don’t for a second be fooled that club nights in Northern Ireland are stopped from doing what they do best.
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