Punchfunk wasn’t a name that conjured up an image of a night I thought I was going to have a good time at. I love my funky techno but funky house really doesn’t really float my boat and I’d assumed that’s what the night was about. However after many successful events, winning Mixmag runner up for the best night of the South and rave reviews from clubbers I decided it was time to pop my Punchfunk cherry. And where better than Portsmouth’s most established underground venue: South Parade Pier (a handy five minutes from my flat) and with whom better than the legend that is Fergie.
I got chatting to the promoter beforehand and it turns out Punchfunk wasn’t about funky house, so things got curiouser and curiouser. As the 10th February rolled around you could feel the hype around Portsmouth, this was definitely one of the most hotly anticipated events to kick start 2006. Suddenly all my preconceptions about the night had been shattered and I started getting rather excited! And so the 10th came..
The music “policy” for Punchfunk ranges through various guises of house through to electro and funky techno. I was aware this wasn’t going to be the usual tempo I was used to from a night out and I was assuming probably not a similar crowd but I was actually quite surprised and pleased to see many familiar faces as I entered the Pier. Perhaps the draw of Radio 1’s Fergie was enough to bring some of the harder loving clubbers out or perhaps it was simply the Punchfunk magic at work (the hype surrounding this event had been immense).
However it was evident from the minute I walked into the venue that this was like no other night I’d seen at the Pier for a long time. It’s a dry venue, meaning you have to bring everything in — the lights, décor, sound etc. It’s also an odd venue to decorate and a lot can hinge on the ambience created (or not). Some nights rely on ridiculous lasers and UVs to make an impact, not that this doesn’t work, but I didn’t really think this would be the approach the promoters of Punchfunk would take, and I was right. Two massive projector screens sat either side of the DJ on the stage with wicked visuals accompanied by white drapes all round, another projector screen at the back and some low key lighting. A truly classy vibe was being created and I waited for the crowd to accompany it.
There were already quite a few people there when I arrived just after 9:30. Ash Turner (one half of local heroes Audiodice) was warming up the night nicely. I’d like to be able to tell you what he played (I find trainspotting tunes one of the fun elements to reviewing a night normally, sad I know) but of course this genre isn’t my sphere of expertise so I was left a bit frustrated that I wasn’t going to be able to do that. However I can tell you it was a good warm up. Plenty of tune, plenty of groove but nothing too in your face. People were starting to dance, people were congregating at the bar and generally spirits were high. A few of my hard dance buddies had joined me in the mission to try something new. We were all finding the slower pace slightly odd but kind of refreshing!
Chris Vaux — Punchfunk promoter
Shortly after I got in I managed to get hold of a backstage pass. I’m not one generally for hanging around backstage, my theory being if it’s going to be a good night it’ll be a good night on the dancefloor. But I wanted to check it out and see the crowd from on the stage so I made my way up there and had a nose around and a chat with a few people. Chris Vaux, one of the promoters, had taken to the decks at this point and was continuing to set the pace with some percussive rolling house. I demanded Chris tell me what he played afterwards so I at least had some tunes to write in this review and he was kind enough to take me on a whistle stop tour of his set. Tunes like Gabriel Ananda — ‘Take Off’, Mark Ashken — ‘Bus Driver’, Rob Mooney’s — ‘Boozed Up’, Mark Weesen — ‘Hard Flow’ and Jamie McHugh’s — ‘Arcadia’. And to finish, the Deepgroove remix of Everer and Chopstick’s — ‘She Loves It’. And of course you wouldn’t expect a record label owner not to pop one of their own tunes in, so the future Punchfunk Recordings release of Beta Blokka’s — ‘Beta Blokka’ got an airing.
It was a great set and real pace setter. As I said this isn’t a familiar genre to me but even I was having a bop on the dancefloor. I was loving the mish mash of styles, mixing up house with electro and tech house. I’m not sure if it’s the norm on nights like these but it definitely felt special!
Dave Robertson — live!
After Chris came Dave Robertson, probably better known to most on this site as one half of the Testube Babies. Dave is also a talented producer in other genres and the next hour was a showcase of his production skills at a lower BPM through a live PA. Armed with a laptop, Ableton 5, an Evolution U Control UC-33 Midi controller and an M-audio soundcard, Dave set about taking the crowd on a tour of his tune. A slightly different mood was created with his set. I wouldn’t say it built on the set before in terms of pace but it definitely gave the night another flavour and it’s always good to have variety. The crowd (which had filled up pretty nicely by this point) were pretty appreciative and Dave (one of the more unassuming people I’ve come across in the scene) seemed to be loving the moment in the limelight. Tunes like his remix of ‘Lullaby’ and ‘1 Dunk Wonder’ got an airing….
I snuck backstage to get a glimpse what was going on at this point, not that staring at Ableton is going to help me understand it any! It was around about this point as I was glancing idly round that I realised to my abject horror that there were no vinyl decks!!!!!! I looked again. No I had seen that right. I was in shock. Now I’ve had my CDJs under a year and am comfortable using them out but I still love vinyl. I tapped the bloke next to me (assumedly someone to do with the night) and mentioned the lack of Technics. “No one plays on vinyl these days love”… er ok. I’ll get my coat shall I? I guess maybe hard dance is lagging behind in the hanging on to vinyl stakes?
Fergie
The main man of the night was up next: Fergie, for a 2 hour session. I wasn’t really sure what to expect (and try not to have preconceptions about djs anyway) but was looking forward to seeing what he would deliver. The dance floor was pretty packed at this point and Fergie began to lay down the beats. Again I’d like to be able to tell you what he played but I wasn’t recognising any tunes until Cirez D’s ‘Re-match’ — but that tune will give you an idea pretty much. And that’s the shame really. For me Fergie’s was a set of “moments”. Unlike the ones that had come before it that took me on a journey I felt that Fergie didn’t really use the 2 hours to go anywhere. There was a lot of love from the crowd, a lot of adulation and a lot of entertainment on Fergie’s part (not least of which when he turned a fire extinguisher on the crowd. Oh how I laughed until he turned round and sprayed it on everyone behind him. The smile was soon wiped off my face. Never a dull moment though I guess!) but really there wasn’t the direction. Despite smelling of manky extinguisher water for the last 40 minutes I managed to have a good time. From talking to people outside as I was stood flyering I think a lot of folks felt the same as me: on the whole a great night, but unsure as to Fergie. In a lot of people’s eyes big names are great because of just that, but as a dj, promoter and a clubber I personally need something more.
However the night overall leaves me with good memories. Punchfunk are definitely on a roll. A dynamic promotions team, quality homegrown talent and a buzzin’ crowd are all the good ingredients for a quality night. It’s no wonder they regularly host a room at the Opera House in Bournemouth or that they’ve been asked to host an outdoor stage at Hi-Fi, Matterly Bowl, Winchester in May, brilliant achievements for a club so young. Despite being slightly disappointed by Fergie, the night will go down as an excellent clubbing memory. Bring on the second instalment: Nic Faniculli, March 10th, Albert Tavern, South Parade Pier…
Photos courtesy of Ricardo. Not to be reproduced without permission.
PunchFunk, Best of British Series Part 2: Nic Fanciulli
What better way to follow the massive party with Fergie than with fellow Radio 1 DJ and a man on top of his game, NIC FANCIULLI.
This man has taken centre centre stage over the past 2 years with his amazing production under "skylark" and being resident at Space and the awesome Club Class!!
Supporting Nic are PunchFunk residents Simon Blann and Chris Vaux with one of their energy infused b2b sets.
PunchFunk also welcomes Sam Tuppen for his PunchFunk debut and the inimatable Matt Berry who will be showcasing for the very first time his unique "Dirty House sound"
This ladies and Gentlemen is another unmissable event....
The best underground house, electro and techno in the south!!
Flyer:
Region:
SE England
Music:
House. Deep House. Prog House. Tribal House. US House. Funky Techno.
From: Daniel Kon 7th Mar 2006 13:33.09 Nice review. I've Never been out in Pompey before. Might have to give it a look.
Umm... Ferg is a bit hit and miss these days though...
From: dimitryon 8th Mar 2006 10:25.51 very cool lable.
From: Lizzie Curiouson 8th Mar 2006 17:20.08 That was a really interesting review k8e, well written and honest. I definately intend to check out a Punchfunk event in the not too distant future, those boys are going places!
From: sunvisordudeon 9th Mar 2006 12:03.21 good to see that fergie is still going. he has my full support. he carried me through some amazing mornings at turnmills back in the 'hey-days'. great tatoo's btw
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I've Never been out in Pompey before. Might have to give it a look. 