[Review] Digital @ PoNaNa, Lincoln. 21st May 2004

[Bushy]

Digital @ PoNaNa, Lincoln

Friday 21st May ‘04

 

As I hadn’t been to Digital for a while, I thought to myself ‘why not review it, and take a ruck of photos?’ So here I am.

 

Now as many of you don’t live in the Lincoln area, you may think it’s a bit of a trek to go to a night that runs from 21:30 until 02:00. I agree it is, but this shouldn’t deter you from what is one hell of a night, that has grown phenomenally in its first 15 months. If you have any doubts of attending a new night, your worries will soon fade away as Shaney_r’s did within the first 5 minutes of being in this small intimate venue. As we entered at approximately 10 o’clock, we were greeted by the sound of the impressive young duo, The Skin Thieves. With a blend of uplifting techno, moving onto a harder tech sound towards the end, these two 18 year old lads really got us both in the mood. With a couple of tracks already signed up to Vacuum Records, with their mixing and technical talent shining through for all to hear, these boys are looking very good bets for going places.

 

We headed off to the bar to pick up a couple of beers at an affordable £2.60 each, and bumped into Ingo and Colin Barret, after a wee chat, we then went back to the dancefloor, to get more photos of the young wizards on the decks, and to await the imminent arrival of one of the first Guest Dj’s of the night……. Amber D.

 

Amber turned up and headed straight to the bar for a beer, good girl! Once back into the Dj Booth, she was giving it a bit behind the decks as The Skin Thieves wrapped up a very impressive opening set, leaving the already near capacity dancefloor begging for more.

 

Miss D kicked off in true fashion, picking up the tempo a little and the dancefloor responded with a lot of noise and frantic dancing as the temperature soared inside the sub-level venue. As she mixed seamlessly from one record to another I was amazed at how she mixed, permanently moving her pitch slider on the deck, and hardly ever touching the vinyl. Yet her mixing was spot on, and timed to perfection.

 

It was now approximately 23:00, and the venue was close to capacity, I took a quick walk through the backroom, where they were chucking out some filthy funk, which was a nice five minutes to cool down as the main room was like a oven. In this room there are tables chairs, and also low oriental style tables, with puffed up cushions to flake out on if need be. In my book, that is always good. As you can imagine these areas were taken up by clubbed out loons, yes, even at 11pm.

 

Upon returning into the furnace, I was greeted by some thumping beats from Amber D, and lots of smiles and happy people right the way throughout. It was obvious that everyone was here for a wild time, and to enjoy themselves.

 

Next to turn up, was the main attraction, Mr Andrew Farley. As Amber D was banging out tune after tune, I can imagine he was relishing the prospect of playing to such an up for it crowd. By now, the dancefloor was heaving with sweaty bodies, as they jostled closer to the dj box to catch a glimpse of Amber in full flow, as she came to close her set for the evening. As the music died down, there were screams and shouts of appreciation for the beautiful Miss D.

 

Then stepped up Mr Farley and in true fashion kicked it off straight away as he notched the level of aggression up two points, the club responded with raised hands and a new drive of energy. Amber D, then made her way back to the bar for more ale, ad then back onto the dancefloor to kick it with her fellow clubbers, as Andy Farley went to town with banging tune after banging tune.

 

The last time I went to digital, was a few months back, and I have to say the whole venue seemed to have changed, the atmosphere was electric, as everybody was up for a cracker and nothing was gonna spoil it. Usually you get your frowners standing to the rear of the dancefloor just enough into the darkness for added mystery. Not here, not this time, as I walked round the venue all I encountered, was big happy smiley faces glaring back at me. I took a barrel load of photos, which will be up in the gallery here on ClubTheWorld.

 

As the temperature got higher and higher, they really could do with some air-con in there, sweaty clubbers got closer and gave it their all as Farley turned up the pace and got them rocking at what had to be no slower than 165bpm. The place exploded with every breakdown, with screams and shouts, and the odd cuddle between smashed clubbers. The view from the Dj Booth was phenomenal.

 

Once Andy Farley had done his damage, up stepped Local boy/resident/co-promoter Ingo. Now I was totally surprised by Ingo’s set, as I have heard him more than once or twice over the last 18 months, and have to say there was never much variation in his sets, well here he was, gearing up to the crowd chanting his name, ready to stuff everything I’ve just written down about him, right down my throat. Shane had never heard Ingo play before, and he was highly impressed, as he let rip with a high octane opener that would tear strips off a fire proof wall. From start to finish, Ingo played all his own tunes, as I sat in the booth in awe at the quality of tunes he was throwing out, I kept asking ‘what is this?’, ‘what’s that one?’ to which everytime he replied, ‘oh its one of mine’

 

I was blown away, from vinyl to cd-r, the mixing was bang on everytime, even if Andy Farley had blown a hole in the monitor from his previous set, well it sounded a bit distorted through the monitor. As I looked down at the dancefloor, there was Amber D and Andy Farley both giving it their all as Ingo seamlessly mixed from one awesome track to the next.

 

As the night drew to a close, everyone was there screaming for one more, this night definitely does finish too early, which Is a shame, as by the looks on peoples faces, they could have gone on until the small hours, and longer.

 

In all, I was highly impressed, with this small night, in Lincoln, after a lay off of 3-4 months, all I can say is, next month is Tidy Boys, but unfortunately its on the same damn night as CTW Vs Frantic. Otherwise I would be there. Full of energy, happy faces and quality Dj’s. If your ever stuck on the 3rd Friday of a month about where to go, don’t overlook this night.

 

I would like to thank all @ Digital (Tom, Jay & Jak) for a top night. See you all soon guys!