The Gallery - 13.02.04

[Sparky]

Hadn't been to the Gallery in ages, but the stellar line-up that they had on Friday would've attracted any seasoned clubber... Ferry Corsten, Benny Benassi, Corvin Dalek, Adam Sheridan, James Holden...

 

Twelve of us got through the guestlist queue with minimal difficulty and then when the music started to kick in, we gathered near the front and on the stage. I used to have two probs with the Gallery, overcrowding and the fact that you can't really see the DJ. I now realise that its not so much overcrowding as people standing on the dancefloor and just getting in the way. Accordingly, we had a fantastic time because we could interact with the DJ from where we were and there were enough of us to create our own space into which like-minded clubbers joined us in blocking out the obstructive "non-dancing" clubbers (invariably letchy blokes).

 

Benny Benassi played a blinder - the set of the night for me - he really got the crowd going early on and seemed to be really enjoying himself. He was really nice to us afterwards too, even though it was blatantly obvious that he was hardly understanding a word of our English - I think he got the gist of our plaudits though...

 

Adam Sheridan was quality and definitely one to watch for the future, am looking forward to seeing him play at the Cross. He had a huge beaming smile on his face throughout his set and there was genuine enthusiasm behind the decks.

 

Didn't get a chance to see James Holden in the Second Room. I absolutely love his "Nothing" track, but I gathered from others that the live P.A. wasn't impressive. Corvin Dalek played his usual "dirty" banging set and meeting him afterwards was an... erm experience!

 

Ferry Corsten rounded off the night with a solid performance. He played "Right of Way", "Punk" and "Rock Your Body (Rock)" in a row. Whilst some thought it unimaginative, the music he's produced really does speak for itself and there was a true stadium atmosphere as everyone chanted along (well, when I say chant I mean go ...der, der ,der-duh, duh, der-der duh!) to "Punk". That was an awesome moment that typified an awesome night.

 

Hello to the countless randoms that I met - we had a fair few people shouting out our trademark "Come on you fuckers" chant as they reached for the lasers, by the end of the night. I'd actually forgotten how good the lasers at Turnmills are, matched only by the lasers at SE1 in my book.

 

10 out for 10 for the line-up, 8 out of 10 for the night overall.

[big_ee69]

We saw Benny Benassi, completely tear up The Gallery when he played there last year. Satisfaction riding high in the charts, and for an hour and half...the place completely rocked...possibly my dj set of the year....totally wicked.....

 

Obviously as soon as Tall Paul came back on, the normal mundane Gallery, beer boy's being nice to each other atmosphere returned. Which sound pretty much as Sparky describes: "non-dancing" clubbers (invariably letchy blokes)."

You might go so far as to say they are non-clubbing ,clubbers cos one turned to me during Tall Paul's set and said...this is more like it...the Man's back on...i wondered if we were at different clubs.

 

Anyway Sparky great review...brings back very fond memories.

 

ian

 

[Billy Gonzalez]

Well I'd have to agree that BB's set was fookin rockin!! No sign of Satisfaction though, plenty of new material and some fresh remixes he must've brought with him from Italia. He seemed to enjoy himself which filtered thru the music and into the crowd.

 

Unfortunately I missed Ferry drop those trax off his new album but his trademark trance sound was on point. I was really looking forward to some digitally punked body rocking- D'oh.

 

I must have been next door at that point and I must say that James Holden was excellent. Smoooooooooothee! I usually like it tough and fast (to a point) but his sound was welcome indeed. I didn't know who he was at first-looks like he just turned 20 but I swear I've heard of him in the past?

 

Was a great night all in all as the venue had just enough breathing space and the crowd were the best I've known at that club. Was definitely a bonus getting in guestlist- cheers Sparky!