ON THE FLOOR The on-the-pulse guide to the deep, down and dirty gyrations of global clubland FORM 696 REMOVED Controversial risk assessment system made non-compulsory following review... LONDON’S controversial Form 696 has been exchange of information, advice and intelligence share information at a local level and work to removed following a month-long assessment at between the Met, promoters and venue managers identify any enhanced risk to ensure the safety of the behest of Mayor Sadiq Khan. The form has as part of this process. the public.” been heavily criticized for being both racist and “However, we also recognise recent concerns stifl ing towards London’s grime, garage and raised by members of the London music industry, Sadiq Khan told the Met site: “I called for a review bashment scenes as it targets “DJs or MCs particularly around a perception that events of Form 696 earlier this year because of concerns predominantly performing to a recorded backing associated with some genres of music were raised by promoters and artists in the capital that track”. Many big name artists have spoken out disproportionately affected by this process.” this process was unfairly affecting specifi c against 696, including Peckham rapper Giggs communities and music genres. By bringing (pictured above) who has largely been prevented The risk assessment form, which was established together the Met and representatives from across from performing in the capital after police in 2005 in response to club shootings and gang the city’s legendary grassroots music industry, we deemed his shows a risk. violence, will be replaced by a voluntary system. have shown why having a Night Czar is so “We have taken the decision to remove the Form important for London. This decision will help A statement on the Metropolitan Police website 696 and instead develop a new voluntary London’s night-time economy thrive, ensure the alludes to this criticism: “There is no doubt that partnership approach for venues and promoters capital is a welcoming place for artists and DJs of over the last decade a number of serious incidents across London,” said Superintendent Roy Smith. all music genres and that Londoners are able to have been prevented through the effective “This will provide an excellent opportunity to enjoy live music safely.” ARTWORK LANDS XOYO RESIDENCY London club names renowned showman for fi rst quarter… ARTWORK has been tapped for the fi rst XOYO Friday residency of 2018. His three-month stint, dubbed ’13 Works of Art’, will run from 5th January to 30th March. “I never thought I’d actually get to do this,” Artwork said in a statement, adding: “Actually, it was the plan all along.” The UK DJ (real name: Arthur Smith) has a long history with the East London club, taking up a residency in Room Two back in 2011 before launching his own touring party series, Art’s House, which has been nominated for Best Club Event in this year’s Best Of British Awards. He has also guested on seven previous XOYO residencies since their inception in 2014. Denis Sulta (26th January), Derrick Carter (2nd February), Jackmaster (16th February), Derrick May (9th March) and Omar-S (23rd March) will be among those joining Artwork during the run, while a collection of special guests from seminal South London (Croydon) record store Big Apple will celebrate a reunion on 2nd March. 074 DJMAG.COM DJ576.OTF-OTF1.indd 74 20/11/2017 11:09 DJ MAG PRESENTS... FRI 1ST DEC WITH almost three decades as a professional DJ under his belt, Marco Bailey is guaranteed to provide a techno masterclass when he takes to the DJ Mag HQ booth to kick off December. His Materia brand took over Vista Club in BRISTOL’S THEKLA UNDER THREAT Ibiza this summer, seeing the Belgian don Famous floating venue campaigns against closure… rock the decks alongside a host of top guests, while a hectic international touring THEKLA in Bristol is the latest UK music venue to new building, ensuring noise is managed and schedule and his Electronic Force radio show come under threat from property developers. Last controlled, and in commitments such as ‘deed of keep those mixing muscles well warmed up! month, planning officials took a noise assessment easement’ and accurate marketing to future •djmag.com/hq of the boat — a visit that owner’s DHP Family residents.” described as “woefully inaccurate”. Despite being a moveable venue, the The venue is currently moored on Redcliffe Wharf, development would spell the end for Thekla, as where Complex Development Projects Ltd has the owners recently tweeted: “Unfortunately we TUES 12TH DEC proposed to build 36 homes, along with some can’t just move the ship as there aren’t any office space and a car park. “Recognising the permanent moorings large [enough] and, if there existence of an iconic music venue like Thekla were, they would likely be close to existing starts with a thorough environmental impact residences.” study that specifically understands the noise in DJs such as Gilles Peterson, Roni Size, DJ Yoda the area,” says Mark Davyd of Music Venue Trust, and Eats Everything have already come out in who are campaigning against Thekla’s closure. support of the #savethekla campaign. “Properly understanding noise and activity •Head to theklabristol.co.uk to find out what results in great design for any refurbishment or you can do to help. COLDCUT, otherwise known as Matt Black and Jonathan More, have been instrumental in the development of not just UK dance music, but the global scene. Pioneers of sampling and audio-visual performance, and founders of Ninja Tune — one of the most varied and forward-thinking labels around (and BoB-nominated don’tcha know!) — the duo will be discussing their illustrious 30-year career together with our editor-in-chief, Carl Loben, on this edition of DJ Mag Panels. •djmag.com/panels THUR 14TH DEC ARCADIA COMES TO LONDON Renowned festival production celebrates 10 years of shows… WITH voting for DJ Mag’s Best Of British ARCADIA has announced plans for a spectacular incredible light displays. Awards 2017 well underway at the time of 10th birthday celebration in London, which will Founders Pip Rush and Bert Cole said: “We can’t writing, we’re already hard at work sorting mark the immersive festival experience’s first wait to bring Arcadia into the capital for the first out the celebrations. As usual a host of ever date in the UK capital. time. Having toured the globe, we’re really nominees from across the dance music Teaming up with London promotion giants LWE, excited to get back onto home soil, and celebrate spectrum will play the Best Of British Awards Arcadia’s anniversary will span Saturday 5th to the best of the past decade.” Party, powered by Relentless Energy Drink, Sunday 6th May 2018. Attendees can expect to “It’s a real honour to be working with the which will be held at Egg London. We’ll have come face-to-face with the iconic 50-tonne award-winning Arcadia team and welcoming two rooms of the finest house and techno, spider, which has wowed audiences at festivals them to London for the very first time,” added plus DJ Mag Bunker will be providing d&b like Glastonbury and Ultra in Miami. Will Harold, Director of LWE. “With Arcadia’s 10th and bass sounds too. If you somehow missed Renowned for combining elements of circus, anniversary falling on Glastonbury’s fallow year, the voting and therefore the free guestlist rave, sculpture and animatronics, Arcadia’s it’s a momentous occasion and a rare chance to sign-up, fear not: we’ll have a bunch of London ‘Metamorphosis’ show will also call on create an incredible event together. All the LWE tickets going cheap too! Tesla performers shooting 2 million volts of team are hugely excited to be part of this one-off •egglondon.co.uk lightning from their chests, huge jets of CO2, and event.” DJMAG.COM 075 DJ576.OTF-OTF1.indd 75 20/11/2017 11:10 ON THE FLOOR BOOTIN’ OFF One club promotion kickin’ it this month FINGER ON THE PULSE Offering hard-hitting techno of the highest calibre, Pulse Edinburgh is fl ying the fl ag for the Scottish capital when it comes to unmissable events… t’s no secret that the Scots love their techno, Karenn and while Glasgow is often seen as the heart of the nation’s clubbing scene, Edinburgh should I never be overlooked; especially when Pulse is delivering top-notch parties each and every. Founded eight years ago by Darrell Harding, Andy Hay and Ritchie Bryson — three friends who were simply looking for an opportunity to get out and DJ — Pulse has been booking the likes of Pan-Pot, Perc, Karenn, Rødhåd, Len Faki, Green Velvet and Best Of British Best DJ nominee, Dax J, ever since. The event was even the fi rst to bring Alan Fitzpatrick north of the border back in 2009. “I always book artists purely on productions and set style,” explains Harding, who’s been running Pulse solo since its second birthday and still holds down a resident DJ spot. “It doesn’t matter, big or small, if the productions are what I like, then I’ll always go down that route. The lesser-known artists are producing so much more interesting music.” This has earned Pulse a strong core of regulars over the years, as has the hard work of Harding’s fellow resident, Sean Laird. “He’s been there with me for fi ve years,” says Harding, “his track selection and clever sets are hard to beat.