Search the Community

I have heard so many good reviews of the Matrix in Reading, and many a time I have wanted to go there. Regarding its friendly, welcoming crowd and relaxed attitude free clubbing focussing on the more important side of music - having fun! Well, being that 2 of our CTW DJ's were making an appearance at this club, we decided, @James, @CreamyC and myself were going to be in attendance and give these guys support. Not only was @Tony P and @Carl Nicholson gracing the decks with their presence, but the almighty Charlotte Birch and James Lawson were also going to spin us some fine hard tunage tonight. Plan was, to meet some peeps in the bar Great Expectations for pre-drinkage and then head off to the Matrix. After James and I trying to find this club, after getting confused with the road systems, we found a parking space, and to our surprise, what was across the road? The pub for the meet up, and right next door, was the Matrix. Bonus ! Looking at the Matrix from the outside, it looked very small, didn't have the look on the outside that would make you think that inside was a club, designed so welcoming and made u feel at home. We head to the pub to meet Tony P, Carl Nicholson and Co, having a few laughs and sharing some banter among us b4 we head next door, to have a fun packed night that wont be forgotten. The pub wasn't so packed when we arrived, although more clubbers in all sorts of clothing, from casual to cyber dress, started to fill the pub and you could just feel the friendly atmosphere lingering in the air, and I just knew, this was going to be a good night. It was around 10.15pm before we finished our drinks and headed off to the entrance of the club, where there was not much of a queue, and there were friendly bouncers greeting us in to the club. Security was good, no arsing about and certainly no attidude was received from them. A quick search was had, or should I say tap-down and then through the doors we went. Paid our entry we're in ! As we got through the doors, I could just see at the top of the bar, the lighting in the main room. Looked very bright, lots of UV, so the plan was, lets get the drinks in then let's check the venue out ! We had a little look in the funky room, very big, but very empty. Bearing in mind we were more or less the first few people in there. We ventured into the main arena to see Tony P already up behind the decks. The booth was so nicely put together, all painted in illuminous UV colours, making the booth stand out to all the clubbers. We looked around the place and our mouths just suddenly dropped to the floor. The lay out was just fantastic. It was designed in a such a way, you instantly felt comfortable as soon as you go into the main room. The club had comfortable leather seating for the clubbers to enjoy getting comfy on when the music seems to wear them out ! Check the gallery and you will see the evidence. Moving swiftly on, Tony P is up in the booth playing some good hardhouse tunage. Really got the night warming up and the placed started to fill up. One of the tunes Tony P played, to which all the clubbers seemed to recognize was Come on by Breather. Excellent tune, and they were all singing along to the vocals. Thrashing some hard tunes smoothly seems to light up the room ready for the night ahead. The atmosphere was happy, vibrant and filled with energy as the music, never killed the dance floor or the enthusiasm of the crowd. Nice one Tony! Up next to grace the decks was Charlotte Birch. Always up for it and is part of the crowd when spinning tunes. Lovely lady, always got time to chat to clubbers and WOW what a set. Deffinatly one of the best sets I have EVER seen Charlotte play. I was impressed. The hairs on the back of my neck went into overdrive, as she played some of the hardest tunes that really made my feet move and all the clubbers loved it. To end the set, Charlotte played Paul Glazby's tune F^cking Hostile Wow what a tune! I think I could almost feel the dancefloor move as all the clubbers were stomping away! Nice one Charlotte! Next up, Carl Nicholson. Feeling a bit worse-for-wear before hand, feeling tired, but he indeed was capable of getting up there and showing us all what he was made of. The night was in full flow by this time. Everyone in the building was dancing away to the music as their attention seemed to be drawn towards the DJ booth! Again, Carl wasn't just a DJ, he was part of the crowd, giving it all he got and moving to the phat bass lines that were streaming out of the speakers. A tune that was remembered from Carls set was The Dawn By Tony De Vit. A well known tune in clubland that all clubbers know, and appreciate so much each time it's played. Hands went up in the air and everyone was loving it. Carls set came to an end, and the final DJ stepped up. James Lawson. I have never seen this DJ play but have heard his music and have been impressed. Again, great tunes were played by Mr Lawson, although his set wasn't successful as a little miss-hap occurred to which his set suddenly died towards the end. Music stopped, the dancing stopped, what's going on?! I guess that's what u get for using CD decks but then not everyone is perfect! Slowly the night came to an end and James and I decided to go get our coats before leaving the club wishing somehow the night could have continued. The staff at the Matrix were very friendly. Even the door staff smiled, they treated the clubbers like human beings. They didn't seem to be up their own arses like you do get in some other clubs. The Matrix deserves to be a complete success in the future. Certainly a top quality night that I would definitely return to without a doubt. With the friendly atmosphere, the feeling of being welcomed and not feeing uncomfortable, if that's the surroundings u like to be in on a Saturday night, then get yourself to the Matrix. You will not be Dissapoionted. @Maria CTW Photos

Carl Nicholson has been on the forefront of the UK Underground Dance Scene since 1994. Working his way up through the ranks alongside rising stars like John 00 Fleming (MostWanted), Dex N Jonesey (Red Parrot), Luke Branccacio (Bedrock) & DJ Roosta (Honeypot Records), Carl has rocked and conquered every major venue in the Capital & the South West. Since 1999, Carl has achieved acclaim that many could not wish for in their wildest dreams. Not only is he the only HardDance D.J to have rocked the world renowned Fabric night-club in London on a regular basis, he has also graced the floors of Glastonbury Festival 2000, Brixton Academy, Heaven & Ministry of Sound to name only a handful. Carl has held many residences in the past two years but the ones he is most proud of are DTPM, Gifted & The Annual Tony de Vit Memorial of which he is also co-promoter. Tony de Vit has played a major part in Carls career as being his role model, in the past Carl has seen the rise and fall of many a one year wonder D.J. But he has always stood to the values and advice of this great man, which was to Always play from the heart and smile and the crowd will love you for it This is why Carl teamed up with Ray (Tonys Dad), Jayne (Tonys Sister) & the mighty Fevah Productions to hold an annual memorial to commemorate a man who will never & can never be replaced. Last years event attracted over 3,500 clubbers from all around the UK, and was a night that was truly unforgettable but this year promises to be even better whilst generating revenue for good causes. CTW User Name: @Carl Nicholson Year of birth: 1975 Management Agency: ClubTheWorld Residency: TDV Bookings Contact: @SarahPVC or (07909)621033 No. of records: 7,500 Started playing: 1993 All time top 3 tunes: TDV The Dawn, Warriors of Love Somebody Scream, Area Definition of Tekto Worst DJing moment: Taking wrong needle off record @Sanctuary Would most like to play: Dance Valley NL Most enjoyable set you've played: TDV Memorial 2001 @Brixton Academy When you're not DJing you're: Production in Studio, Socialising. Favourite DJ: Tony de Vit Favourite Venue: Turnmills Favourite Promotion: TDV Memorials Favourite Producer: James Lawson Favourite Label: Nukleuz/Tidy Biggest Influence: Tony de Vit Drink: Red Stripe Non-music pastime: Breakdancing @John Nike Sports Centre, Tuesdays @ 6pm. Words of wisdom: Anyone can beatmix with a bit of practice, its reading a crowd thats the clever part! If you could change the colour of the sky what colour would it be?: Jade Blue with a pink glow! Did you ever fancy your dinner lady at school?: Never ever, they were all over 65. Played alongside 2002/2003 A.J Gibson, Alan Thompson, Alex P, Alister Whitehead, Andy Farley, Anne Savage, Ariel, Billy Daniel Bunter, B.K, Brandon Block, C J Mackintosh, Dan Madams, Darren Emerson, Darren Pearce, Dave Pearce, Ed Real, Farley Jackmaster Funk, Fergie, Graham Gold, Guru Josh, Ian M, James Lawson, Jeremy Healy, JFK, John Kelly, John 00 Fleming, Judge Jules, Justin Bourne, Knuckleheadz, K90, LAB4, Lisa German, Lisa Lashes, Lisa Pin-Up, Luke Branccacio, Matt Cassar, Nick Sentience, Pete Wardman, Phil Reynolds, Rachel Auburn, Rob Tissera, Sarah Chapman, Scott Bond, Simon Eve, Smokin Jo, Steve Blake, Steve Lee, Steve Thomas, Stimulant DJs, Superfast Oz, The Sharp Boys, The Tidy Boys, Tony Price, Yomanda & a Partridge in a pear tree. Events & Tours 2002/2003 Sundissential North, Fevah(Heaven, London), Frantic(Camden Palace, London), Fahrenhite(Soundshaft, London), Gifted(Matrix, Reading), Syn:ergy(Phoenix, Manchester), Insomniacz (Code, Birmingham), There (Heaven, London), Match Made In Heaven (Heaven, London), Mind Over Matter (Camden Palace, London), Sunny Side Up (Ministry of Sound, London), Glastonbury Festival 2000 (Smirnoff Tent), Tidy Trax Tour, Nukleuz Tour, Miss Moneypennys Tour, Frantic & Fevah Destination Ibiza 2001 Tour, MTV Dancefloor Chart Tour, Ministry of Sound Radio (DAB) & resident for The Tony De Vit Trust which holds annual tributes in London, Midlands, Manchester & Eire. 24th May - Rush @ Mass, Brixton 24th May - Gifted @ Matrix, Reading. 31st May - The Harderfaster Annual Party @ The Aquarium, London. 7th June - Gifted @ Matrix, Reading. 29th June - Shaft, Birmingham. 5th July - Gifted @ Matrix, Reading. 6th July - Afterssential, Birmingham. 2nd August - Gifted @ Matrix, Reading. 4th Sept - Tonic/CTW @ Eden, Ibiza 6th Sept - Gifted @ Matrix, Reading 3rd Oct - Sinergy TDV Manchester Tribute @ The North, Manchester. 4th Oct - Gifted @ Matrix, Reading. Discography Carl Nicholson Ricochet (Fevah House 6) July 2001 Carl Nicholson Rapture (Higher Times) Aug 2001 Carl Nicholson Control Freek (White) Sept 2001 Carl Nicholson & James Lawson Times Like These (Nukleuz) (Radio 1 Airplay by Dave Pearce/Ministry Tune of Month Dec 02) Also this year, Carl has had his recent collaboration with James Lawson Times Like These signed to the worlds number one dance label Nukleuz Records. This track has been causing tremendous waves in Clubland, its had airplay on Radio 1 from Dave Pearce (Dance Anthems) & Lisa Lashes (One live from Nottingham). Its reached number 14 in the UK Dance Chart & number 19 in the UK Indie Chart, plus its also been signed to Lisa Lashes forthcoming compilation Extreme Euphoria 2. Also not forgetting that its also getting a battering from the likes of Anne Savage, BK, Paul Van Dyke, Nick Sentience and to many other names to mention. But, all other things aside. The real proof is when you hear Carl play. True to the ideals that made de Vit the legend that he became, Carl is no pigeonhole DJ. Breaking down boundaries between all types of dance music, fusing and mutating like some kind of powercrazed scientist. Taunting them & taking them one level further until they are literally begging & screaming for more, and then just when they thought storm had turned, in streams the crescendo and suddenly it all makes sense, this guy behind the decks isnt playing the Lets see whos the fastest DJ scenario. Hes playing tough, hes telling a story, and hes playing straight from the heart. And now as I draw to a close, I shall leave you with one more thought. Hes the proud keeper of the Coveted Tony de Vit Trade Bag, hes played alongside pioneers of our scene like Guru Josh, Fatboy Slim & Chemical Brothers as well as the stars of today including Fergie, Anne Savage, Darren Emerson & Dave Pearce. Hes had to work his way up the ladder from scratch with no help from anyone, no favours from promoters who happen to be friends, no you scratch my back and Ill scratch yours scenarios either. He's got to where he is out of pure merit and hard graft SoundCloud Spotify