Hi all I just thought I'd report in. Saw Derrick May and Rolando play at Showcase on Friday night.
Interesting the venue was a boathouse by the Seine under Alexandre III bridge before it became a venue. The venue was odd - guys in button shirts, loafers etc and girls in short dresses and heels. There was a VIP section where people slammed down bottles of champagne. I think the place was a pick up joint. The drinks were super expensive (5 euro for water/ softdrink, 8 euro for a heineken, 12 for vodka redbull). However the guestlist is free if you sign up online and you arrive before 1.30 am. I signed up at 11pm and got an instant response back that I was on the list. Luckily you just have to show the door an email. I didn't meet the promotor, so I couldn't tell you how Derrick and Rolando ended up on the bill there. There were a few usual clubbing kids there though. I don't know who was on before Derrick, but it was just some techno, i think slightly more minimal style. I couldn't name any trax, I think Derrick played a few usual ones he always plays (but still welcome...) I haven't seen Derrick play this well in ages, despite the crowd. I think there were a few happy cheesy moments, but overall spot on, tight mixing, pretty good track selection. He played from 2 - 4 Rolando came on 4 and totally just smashed it out of the ballpark. Over the years I've noticed how uncompromising he is with the tunes and he just plays what he does best... slamming hard but funky at the same time...and in this case I think some of the crowd left (but could have been due to tiredness....). I think he played a few things that totally reminded me of the older harder UR stuff but 'new'. I think there was new Red Planet in there... He played all of Jaguar, BUT the crowd didn't pick up on it really so in a way that was good because it was as though the song was just another track. Anyway he played until 6.20 am, and after that it was strange but nice to come out of the bottom of the bridge to see the lights still glistening on the Seine, and the sun just about to rise. Cheers! Melody
