Paleman, Southend-on-Sea
Promoters The Kool Kids Klub are celebrating their eighth birthday with a lineup boasting two producers who both sport analogue influences and bass-led execution. Barely into his 20s, Manchester’s Paleman has already accumulated a devoted fanbase, having crafted his own unique blend of percussion-focused techno, taking cues from his background in jazz drumming. Support comes from Bristol’s New York Transit Authority. With three heavyweight EPs out so far on Redlight’s Lobster Boy imprint, his 120-130bpm cuts are rooted in 80s electro while taking their own firmly distinctive stance.
The Basement, Sat
SM
Príncipe Presents, London
In our interconnected monoculture, genuine dance outsiders are rare, but Portuguese label Príncipe is one of those fighting the normcore. Both alien and universally appealing, its producers are a fascinating portrait of the country’s colonial influence: an Angolan kuduro shuffle here, a lithe Brazilian samba there, all rendered in cold 21st-century ones and zeroes. The result is jump-up party tracks where tightly wound loops are eternally tripping over themselves, causing chaos on the dancefloor. The likes of DJ Nigga Fox have already visited these shores, and now another wave come over for this unmissable showcase. There are DJ sets from Firmeza and Puto Márcio, whose constant timbale attacks are flanked by flutes, brass and bursts of vocal; while Niagara plays live, offering a mindblowing no-wave take on house. It’s more 4/4 orientated than his label peers, but just as unusual, with stabbing synths splashing bright colour on gritty slap bass.
Café Oto, E8, Sat
BB
Out To Lunch Presents DJ Sotofett, Dublin
The frozen airs and steely graces of Norway will usually make music fans think of the doom-laden sound of black metal, but for every perceived norm there’s always a joyous band of oddballs who defy it, and Norway’s Sex Tags Mania label is as exciting as it is delightful and odd. Formed between the cities of Bergen and Oslo, the Sex Tags Mania sound twists and turns classic 4/4 techno and simmering electro beats through rugged echo chambers of dub, and it’s a school of thought that’s seen dancefloors across Europe learn new ways to really move. The man behind it all is DJ Sotofett (“Straight out of Norway!” is his vocal time signature, of course, like a Nordic call-to-arms à la Detroit’s old school), and he does his finest work when he plays all night long. For a taste of the weird sass to come, check his playfully named debut, Drippin’ For A Tripp (Tripp-A-Dubb-Mix), on London’s Honest Jon’s Records: a collection of 12-inches brought together for an album.
Tengu Bar, Sat
LM
Don’t Look Now, Sheffield
Having lurked in the shadows of electronic music for years now – most recently running the expertly curated London showcase BleeD – on his recent debut EP Charlatan, Volte-Face (AKA Casper Clark) has impressed as a surprisingly fully formed producer in his own right. He’s closely associated with other atmospheric trailblazers such as Daniel Avery and has already clocked up gigs at the likes of Berghain. This Sheffield party sees the well-schooled Londoner delve through both techno’s bubbling and occasionally challenging underground, while lacing the set with any number of heady and psychedelic classics from the grittier side of it’s history. Mr Face is joined by Smorsli from local spot Hope Works.
The Harley, Fri
JT
20 Years Of Sankeys, London
For years, Sankeys was the chief melter of Manchester faces, serving up Ibizan techno and other Euro-friendly styles to a crowd who remained up for it even when they were too blasted to know what “it” even was. They then parlayed the energy into an actual Ibiza club, and a London residency at Studio 338 where this 20th birthday party takes place. Nineties stars such as X-Press 2 and Danny Tenaglia play big, blocky tech-house (the latter in an extended set) alongside current Sankeys alumni Argy and East End Dubs.
Studio 338, SE10, Sat
BB
