Words by Emma Gillett
Sunshine is back in our lives. Parks are full, and shops have the empty shelves instead of cold drinks to prove it. Warmer months also equal coming out of hibernation for sun-fueled party sessions. London outfit Secretsundaze kicked off their 15th year of throwing daytime parties in the capital by inviting Lil’ Louis, Steffi, K15 and Moxie down to East London last weekend. Held in the St John of Hackney church, sinners inside were a mixed crowd out in support of Secretsundaze starting their summer schedule.
Panorama Bar resident Steffi warmed attendees up from 5pm onwards under the disco ball with her selection of house and techno cuts.
Chicago house legend Lil Louis, the biggest draw of the evening, then stepped up in front of the stained-glass window backdrop. Louis was quick to pledge his adoration of house music with tracks in homage to Roland drum machines, the 808 kick sounding as stellar as always. Cooking up some rotary mixer magic, he mixed back and forth between tracks, interjecting tunes at a perfect pace. Giving us a bit of Chicago’s finest belting diva vocals with “Hit It n Quit It’” by Jamie 3:26 & Cratebug. Louis’ energy behind the decks was infectious and everyone was under his spell.
Next door in a black-curtained room, K15 went for a more laid-back approach in the intimate setting, keeping the disco intact with tracks featuring massive vocals and jazzy segments. Our attention back with Lil Louis, following a hi-hat assault to shake out all the cobwebs in the building, his set was disappointingly cut half an hour short. Leaving the room in the hands of Secretsundaze founders and residents Giles Smith and James Priestley.
After they got into their groove they brought in a more tech sound with the likes of ‘First Contact’ from OCH. All the while, next door NTS regular Moxie added heat to the sweaty rectangular room. If the sellout event is a taste of things to come with Secretsundaze, their London and Barelona parties should be highlights of the summer. When you check out the upcoming guests below, we are sure you’ll agree.
Upcoming dates…
Saturday 14th May 2016
Secretsundaze All Night Long at The Pickle Factory, London
Sunday 29th May 2016
Secretsundaze London with Fred P, Funkineven, Patrice Scott, Palms Trax, Shanti Celeste & Henry Wu
Saturday 11th June 2016
Secretsundaze All Night Long at The Pickle Factory, London
Friday 17th June 2016
Secretsundaze with Marcellus Pittman, Hunee, Midland, Nick Höppner, Beautiful Swimmers, Palms Trax & Shanti Celeste at Parc Del Forum, Barcelona
