London Paper 79

365 #12, originally uploaded by bumblesweet.

On The Scene
Chantelle Fiddy

ANIMAL INSTINCT

When Turnmills closed three month ago, events like Together lost their home.
But following a three-month siesta, which was needed following Fatboy Slim and the Chemical Brothers sets at the finale party, the promoters are set to re-launch the event at Scala, Kings Cross, this Saturday.

Reinstating their position on the clubbing league, they’ve decided to throw an ‘animal rave’ which basically means, you can expect to see a number of Londoners looking like they’ve escaped from London Zoo or the RSPCA this weekend. The team are also recommending you look for inspiration from sealife creatures, household pets, safari wildlife, birds, bugs, dinosaurs and even, errr, Pat Butcher (hey, they said it not us). If you’re struggling with what to wear, be among the first 200 punters through the door and you’ll receive a free animal mask. With a Noah’s Ark Procession intended for the dancefloor, although the dresscode is optional, don’t be a spoil sport and mess up the photo opportunity. If DIY costumes aren’t your bag, shops like Escapades in Camden have plenty of stock ready to rent.

If you’re really stuck, Together will be re-introducing their penchant for giving free haircuts and face painting, something which always proved popular with past Together attendees.

Gimmicks aside, you can expect the music to be as cutting edge as before. Ed Banger Record’s, home to the likes of Mr Oizo, Uffie and Justice, will be sending Busy P and fellow Parisian prince DJ Mehdi in for deck duties in the main room: Dragon’s Den. One of my current favourites and with 59,000 friends on MySpace, it would suggest Mehdi is worth checking out if you haven’t already. Upstairs (The Birdcage) is hosted by reliable residents Streetlife DJs, and sticking with the French electro theme, support comes from Surkin (Institubs) and Yusek (Kitsune), with Dusty Kid provides wonky acid techno. Boy 8-Bit headline The Viper Room, hosted by dollop. Tickets are £20 on the door - running from 10pm – 6am, it’s well worth it.

Sticking with the dressing up theme, HatClub are at SeOne, London Bridge, this Saturday. If this is a new one to you then it’s simple – you just have to wear a hat of some description. While there’s always a competitive streak in who can find the best headwear, expect it to be ten times worse this week what with Ascot fever in the air. If you’re not down with wearing a fruit bowl monstrosity, a baseball cap, bowler, or beret still get a thumbs up.

A firing house selection comes from Jonathan Ulysses, who’s celebrating his tenth year as resident for Space in Ibiza, with Brighton duo Prok & Fitch (check their track ‘Outro Lugar’), and The Beatthiefs, who’ve been putting on HatClub in Dubai and are the latest residents to join the team, will be among those keeping your head bopping till 6am. Tickets are £15 or more on the door.

A version of this article appeared in thelondonpaper