London Paper 17

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On The Scene
Chantelle Fiddy

Cider cocktails aren’t the most obvious clubbing tipple, but at the national launch of Brothers Pear Cider last week, it would seem anything is possible. The shaken, but not stirred, drinks menu appealed to the suits as well as the traditionally less fussy media and young trendies. On a bid to kick apples to the kerb, pear cider concoctions included The Fizz, The Virgin and The Pai Tai.

Thanks to the growing cider presence at festivals such as Glastonbury, which Brothers has sponsored since the late nineties, and the revolution cider underwent last year, following some serious marketing action courtesy of Magmers, it seems the bubbly one has managed to shake it’s classic pub image.
Another rise in popularity is down to the return of new rave warehouse parties within the city. Without a drinks license, money is exchanged for vouchers which will earn you a bottle of beer, or you guessed it, cider. Should you wish to reacquaint yourself with ones of England's finest, two such parties are happening in the east end this weekend.

Abacus Sounds present Dubstep After Hours on Friday night. For night owls and dub lovers alike, this will be something else with the system running from 10pm-10am. Not only will entry be a mere fiver with the bottles costing just £1.50 a go, but DJs include Kode9, Loefah, N-Type, Rootsteady, Heva and Easychord with K9 from Macabre Unit on mic duty. Call 07974 892670 to find out the location. If you’re looking for something a little more tranquil to get the evening going, a good free pit stop before heading to the secret darkened squat will be Dubstep at Brick Lane’s Café 1001 where Scuba (Hotflush), Rusko, Reso, Appleblim and more will play from 7am-midnight.

If you’re still up for it on Saturday, Electric Minds, one of the few truly underground dance events left, will be blasting out classic disco, soul and electronica from the last 30 years at an as-yet undisclosed venue. Headline on the night is cult technofusion artist, Kirk Degiorio, alongside Dolan & Alex and Uptown Safari DJs and remixers Blackbeard and Yam Who? promising some of the rarest, boogie, latin, dub, jazz and dancefloor fillers. Hit up info@electricminds.co.uk or text 07958 614297 for the lowdown.

A good warm up for this all-nighter on Saturday is Urban Nerd, debuting at 93 Feet East. Although alcopops are yesterdays news, expect to see a lot of them getting swigged at this eclectic affair expected to attract the Brick Lane fashion brigade, where ska, grime, hip hop, reggae, electro and ghettotech will play nicely alongside one another. Frisco, Purple, Magic, Rusko and MC SGT Pokes, Goldie Locks appear in the main room while Step-One host the bar. A live graffiti battle will take places in the courtyard as trendy clothing brand The Ugly Club Kids take on the OTP Crew. Get in before 9pm and it’s free which means you should have enough money to purchase the essential, glow in the dark Urban Nerd T-shirt. If your pairs not so good, they come extra baggy.

A version of this article appeared in The London Paper