Mixmag go massive at Matter. Amanda Gegg reports from the infamous vibrating dancefloor.
I defy anyone to step into Matter and not be marvelled by its effortless grandeur. This time is no exception for me as I take in the industrial stone surrounding which, this time, is complimented by the colourful array of lights put on by the host Mixmag. It's the 'Xmas Party' once again and the beats are enticing from the word go.
I find myself led almost involuntarily to the sound of A Trak who is taking centre stage in Room One. There is nothing like that dance floor and the beats that rattle all the way from your feet up to your throat as you pound away in front of the stage. Our arms are lifting up and down, one at a time; we are ready to start!
Before we know it, we are interrupted by a familiar female voice on the speaker...”Turn around Matter!” There is a great deal of confusion as no one knows where to look but this just adds to the excitement. Then, low and behold, in the DJ box behind us, there she is; one of the first ladies of Radio One, Miss Annie Mac ready to build on the pre-empt to our headliner Fatboy Slim. I almost feel sorry for those who took their time to cram their way to the front by the stage, but not too much because we can all see her closer now! She is only on for an hour which is perhaps not enough, but we are definitely prepared to make the most of it.
2am already? Oh yes. And there is that familiar crackling piano intro that we all know and love. This version of 'Praise You' is getting progressively faster, getting us ready for the man himself; Mr Norman Cook. As it drops it’s not hard to see that his enthusiasm hasn’t changed one bit over the years. Admittedly he is prone to making noticeable mistakes and ploughing on regardless, but when he is mixing the likes of Blur and M.I.A into an electric amalgamation, who’s complaining? In fact, these unique mixes along with the incorporation of his own classics such as 'Right Here, Right Now' create a euphoric joy only satisfied by hugging the person next to you, whether you know them or not! There is no doubt in my mind; the Fatboy's still got it.
Two hours later, where is the time going? With Kissy Sell Out on at 5am, it's time for a much needed pit stop, where Matter can be praised for the fact it take little longer than five minutes to get a drink almost every time. Beverage in hand, peering over the enclosure on the bridge at the top of this multi-storey club feels more like being at a festival. All the hands waving in unison are a clear indication that everyone shares the appreciation; all the way from the guy in the multi-coloured retro jacket and sunglasses to the dread-locked rockers who look like they came straight here from a Machine Head gig.
4.59am, things are starting to relax. That is until I feel the dance floor shake suddenly beneath my feet like an earthquake. They could not have picked a better DJ to pick up the crowd than Kissy with his heavier eclectic beats; he is the only man for the job! For this last hour my feet barely touch the floor, which is a definite highlight even if there is sweat dripping off my chin when I leave the vicinity. It is worth every drop for such an unforgettable night.
Image of Kissy Sell Out by Scott Murray.
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