Magnetic Man at Sub Club, a story.
Posted: Sun Oct 31, 2010 10:27 am
So, I saw them last night at Sub Club. Only complaint was it finished earlier than I'd expected, other than that it was a fucking brilliant night. Here we go.
We get to Sub Club, and are in the queue, Benga swags past and NOBODY says anything, so I shout "Benga!" He turns, nods while grinning. Couldn't really believe the queue (about 30 odd people long) didn't recognise the man... Anyways, get to the front of the queue, he passes again. He grins at me, shakes my hand. I am suitably shaken, I have never really been that close to a musician/artist I admire and am a fan of.
*skip to Magnetic Man set*
The place is suitably packed, and it is sweltering hot. They come on, with an ominous vocal speaking and MAD building up in the back ground. It drops. It goes mental. Sub Club system is insanely bassy but yet crisp. The Bug is a standout - you all know how heavy that track is. They played a lot of their own stuff, but I did recognise one or two new Skream tunes. Rollin' Kicks VIP was played and that got a really good response, better than I had assumed. Katy B came out again (her earlier, 20 ish minute set was OK, her tracks get very bland after the 1 minute mark I'm afraid) and performed Perfect Stranger, she does have one hell of a voice on her. This was supposed to be the final track. The usual cheers of "ONE MORE TUNE ONE MORE TUNE!" erupted, and very quickly evolved into "TEN MORE TUNES TEN MORE TUNES!" Everyone is waiting to see what happens next. Skream, Benga and Artwork are looking back and forth at each other, snippets of kicks, snares and basslines are heard. Or felt, rather. Then they drop the track I was waiting all night for - Corner of a Dark Room. OH MY SHIT. This tune more than any showed the capabilities of Sub Clubs system. As well as being my current favourite track of the moment, this was just incredible. The crowd went shit ape, everyone was jumping, hands up in the air - gun fingers, the works.
The fire alarm goes of and not so much chaos ensued, surprisingly. I lost my token for my jacket and after much confusion we went round the back to try our luck. I see Artwork chilling by the car with equipment and crew folk. I wasn't letting this one pass. I walked up and managed to get a photo. He is such a sound, down to earth guy. I think he just appreciated the fact I had on a RinseFM tee and was telling him my favourite tracks of the set - Rollin' Kicks and Corner of a Dark Room. "You seem to know your stuff mate" we chatted for about 5 or so minutes, I must have been stinking of sweat and wanted my jacket. I told him the jacket situation and he ran up to one of the club staff. Nothing could be done, appreciate the concern though. An actual legend.
We are waiting outside the club for a lift, still a bit shocked we got a picture with Artwork. The man that took the photo walks past, this time with Benga, Skream and Artwork. He pulls them back to us, I was proper starstruck at this point. Skream didn't say much I guess, but Benga was sound. Telling me his next album is out in March, and I was saying I liked his album. He asked if I'd come to their next show. "More than likely, mate."
What a night.
We get to Sub Club, and are in the queue, Benga swags past and NOBODY says anything, so I shout "Benga!" He turns, nods while grinning. Couldn't really believe the queue (about 30 odd people long) didn't recognise the man... Anyways, get to the front of the queue, he passes again. He grins at me, shakes my hand. I am suitably shaken, I have never really been that close to a musician/artist I admire and am a fan of.
*skip to Magnetic Man set*
The place is suitably packed, and it is sweltering hot. They come on, with an ominous vocal speaking and MAD building up in the back ground. It drops. It goes mental. Sub Club system is insanely bassy but yet crisp. The Bug is a standout - you all know how heavy that track is. They played a lot of their own stuff, but I did recognise one or two new Skream tunes. Rollin' Kicks VIP was played and that got a really good response, better than I had assumed. Katy B came out again (her earlier, 20 ish minute set was OK, her tracks get very bland after the 1 minute mark I'm afraid) and performed Perfect Stranger, she does have one hell of a voice on her. This was supposed to be the final track. The usual cheers of "ONE MORE TUNE ONE MORE TUNE!" erupted, and very quickly evolved into "TEN MORE TUNES TEN MORE TUNES!" Everyone is waiting to see what happens next. Skream, Benga and Artwork are looking back and forth at each other, snippets of kicks, snares and basslines are heard. Or felt, rather. Then they drop the track I was waiting all night for - Corner of a Dark Room. OH MY SHIT. This tune more than any showed the capabilities of Sub Clubs system. As well as being my current favourite track of the moment, this was just incredible. The crowd went shit ape, everyone was jumping, hands up in the air - gun fingers, the works.
The fire alarm goes of and not so much chaos ensued, surprisingly. I lost my token for my jacket and after much confusion we went round the back to try our luck. I see Artwork chilling by the car with equipment and crew folk. I wasn't letting this one pass. I walked up and managed to get a photo. He is such a sound, down to earth guy. I think he just appreciated the fact I had on a RinseFM tee and was telling him my favourite tracks of the set - Rollin' Kicks and Corner of a Dark Room. "You seem to know your stuff mate" we chatted for about 5 or so minutes, I must have been stinking of sweat and wanted my jacket. I told him the jacket situation and he ran up to one of the club staff. Nothing could be done, appreciate the concern though. An actual legend.
We are waiting outside the club for a lift, still a bit shocked we got a picture with Artwork. The man that took the photo walks past, this time with Benga, Skream and Artwork. He pulls them back to us, I was proper starstruck at this point. Skream didn't say much I guess, but Benga was sound. Telling me his next album is out in March, and I was saying I liked his album. He asked if I'd come to their next show. "More than likely, mate."
What a night.
in the toilets haha. And was within a foot of Benga for the 2nd time in a month, wish I'd had the bottle to speak to him.
