Tangled vs Sourpuss

The Phoenix, Manchester
20 December 2003

£15 return transport + admission

Review + pics by satori

It's taken me some time to recover from this night - that's why I'm writing this review in mid-January. Lucky I took notes eh? Pity I can hardly read them....

I was just getting over a bad case of dry-ice induced bronchitis (that's the stuff they use in clubs to try to generate 'atmosphere' when the music isn't good enough) - I hate that stuff. So standing in the pouring rain and freezing wind in Dalton Square at the appointed time with no sign of the coach or the people wasn't good. Eventually we sloshed off, shivering, to the nearest pub to find a phone. And there found Freear and the rest of the crowd, cosily supping beer. I'm not bitter. Oh no.

Eventually the coach rolled up and off we went. The first person I met, sat in front of me was DJ Magra. He had been in party mode for 24 hours already, celebrating his wedding anniversary. He was knocking back the absinthe like there was no tomorrow, which seemed a distinct possibility in his case. DJ Magra and his wife Tamsin, told me the secrets of a successful union - 'dedication and stickability'. And, I would intuit, the digestive resources of a bessemer converter.

Once we got to the Phoenix, downstairs in the pub, Magra switched to double vodkas and Red Bull. I guess he'd decided he needed to pace himself. A strangely wonderful woman called Carmen was on the decks kicking up some kind of jazzy voofunk and the place was packed. There was a bunch of people around for the wedding anniversary. Kiddie snaps were going around, which was a bit surreal, but one of the guys got to telling me about his boarding school in Breacon, where he was strangely tortured, to put me at my ease.

If you want to know the door security scene at the club, read my last review. Upstairs the dancefloor was filling rapidly as the clubbers flooded in. DJ Phil Morse opened up fast - none of your tedious warming up nonsense I'm happy to report. Lots of trancy breaks, and it was really, really good. The house went critical at 11.30! Everyone on the floor, bouncing about happily with their arms up and huge grins - yes! That's how we like it.

The problem with having such a great time is that my notes fall apart around here. I have a note that says 'Birdy has the biggest in the NW'. I'm pretty sure that must have been something subtle + clever..... I believe this pic is Zoe. And her personal trainer I guess.

Upstairs Rob Rackadoob opened up with some major bass - too major for the sound system which had a heavy rattle on it to begin with. Things settled in though and the upstairs totally took off. Downstairs the DJs switched - and the venue kind of polarised with a sort of knockabout house downstairs and a more trancy savant scene settling in for the night upstairs.

The other upstairs DJs were Fukwit, Dimension (Brighton), Mr Ed & Rob da Pensioner, Freear, Magra and Cheeky Munky. The VJs were Heath & Soundbringer (Paris/Manchester collaboration) who did a sound job bringing in all their gear. The sound was real and the people were totally high.

I ventured downstairs to check out the scene. the dancefloor was packed and cheery. A guy who looked like Lurch with specs leaned over me and said, 'Do you want to go to McDonalds and get off?' It's good to see romance is still alive in Manchester but being a vegan I declined. Not a problem for him tho - I saw him dancing with a woman I'd run into earlier at the bar. 'D'you know that guy?' I asked her. She nodded, 'He's my boyfriend.'

Both floors were fully cooking and people outside were being turned away. I'm told the top room had it's busiest night for all 2003. The scene upstairs felt good and easy and I have to give the flowers for the night to Freear. What to say about this boy? He gave us a new set, all made live - his own music - and you have to hand it to the alchemy of live creation, it has a juice and energy that gets to me. So I forgive him for the raging flu I came down with. Here he is, interestingly shirtless, with mate + fellow Sourpuss Chris Pope (Cheeky Munky).

A further accolade has to go to DJ Magra. Who knocked out a great set - and was still partying long after I collapsed. We headed out at 5am, content, enlightened and fully set for xmas - with feet ruined by dancing and all of us knackered. Except this guy. Who gives the words 'dedication' and 'stickability' a whole new level of meaning.

Ed, Rob and Chris have asked me to pass on a huge thank-you to all the Lancaster party people who made this excellent night work so well. They are planning 4 'Tangled' nights this year, and also this:

'Projections'
Launch Night - Hip Hop, Breakbeat, Jungle - All The Bass
SCUBAR - Oxford Rd, Manchester
Fri. 6th Feb. 2004 £4/3 NUS, LADIES FREE B4 12am
DJ High Grade (Metropolis, Movement Tour)
Sourpuss DJs:
Freear Live PA
Faz (Tangled, Fuse) + Guest MC

see you there!