The Gallery, Turnmills , London

09.06.2006

Let me start by telling you a little secret - I used to be a member of ‘The Gallery’ about 4 or 5 years ago; I stayed a member there for about a year or two as well. That’s not bad considering all the clubs London has to offer and other great line up’s these clubs are constantly competing with. So not only was I a conformed member, I was hooked and believe me I made use of that membership! I must have been there every Friday for a consecutive number of weeks, how many I can’t remember (or don’t want to remember). Before I go on, The Gallery is every Friday night at Turnmills, it has been for ages and im glad its still called that as it does boast some of the best line up’s in the UK, never mind London.

If I tell you more about this secret I would tell you how The Gallery shaped my whole clubbing scene for most of my clubbing era, it introduced me to dark driving prog house and trance and some hard trance on occasion as well. I fell in love with the dark driving prog sound and kept going back for more and when I couldn’t get it there I went in search of it else where. This is how I met and made a lot of friends who shared this same passion, people who eventually became players in there own right who started their own nights and in turn introduced me to similar nights at other venue’s in London.

The Gallery has had the best dj’s in the world play, I’ve been witness to Paul Oakenfold, Pete Tong, Judge Jules, Fergie and more, although in my view the best nights (and amazingly the most frequent!) at the Gallery were always when the Global Underground Dj’s played. Some of the GU kings like Nick Warren and Dave Seaman graced the decks and tore the place apart. These nights always went off and despite its way too dark lighting system (in the main room only) it had a great atmosphere to boot. So how pleased was I? After almost a complete 3 year layoff to see how last Friday (the 9 th) both GU kings were to play on the same night!!!! - Seaman and Nick Warren - yehaaaaaaa!!!!

I still haven’t quite told you my entire little secret yet - if I spill it all, I must tell you I was a member and was there almost every Friday for a long time, but to be honest, the gallery changed. Its sound changed, the crowd changed and me and the members I was friends with started looking to other venue’s and clubs to visit. Even when big time dj’s were rostered back in, I would convince myself to return, but to be only be disappointed as some kind of experimental sound was being belted out - all tech and no prog if you ask me. Therefore me and my friends had completely lost faith in the Gallery and no matter how big the line up or who played, there was no way I was going back. I couldn’t believe how much attitude the new crowd had, I remember one night - the attitude was so incredibly bad, I remember being bounced around the crowd like a ping pong ball, (all blokes I might add) but im no skinny runt and it was just so infuriating, not one of these guys said sorry or apologised after ramming into me, this was just as bad as the music.

So I was happy (at best!) to see Dave and Nick on the line up, but did wonder how it was all going to unfold; was it going to be like the first, very old Gallery I went to or the later more techy, experimental house with the wanky crowd???

There was one slight give away when I arrived that it was going to be a good night, when, I didn’t recognise ANY of the residents or supporting dj’s! So I thought, they’ve changed things round a bit then? But which way? Only time will tell then…….. Serve it up please, Gentlemen!

It was Nick Warren up first when I arrived at just before Midnight . Quality prog house humming from the decks - Nice! The lack of crowd though made it hard to appreciate it properly - so went for a wander as he had a 2hr stint, so was in no danger of missing much.

The Gallery’s 2 nd room, just behind the stairs at the front of the club was pretty full and some driving dirty house was being banged out. This small room was up for it, so stayed here watching the dj’s bounce as they lifted the music up and up to a mini crescendo. The lighting here is also very good and allows one to analyse the crowd fairly easily and it was a good ratio of girls to boys. I stayed here quite a while, dancing and the odd chat and thought, better give Nick another go, might be half full - maybe?

Walked back into the main room and - Woof! It was fookin’ rammed!!! The dance floor was full and my usual spot near the dj booth was almost spilling over too. I found my spot for the night and started dancing to this more powerful rising music. A quick survey with my laser scope eyes (remember its dark in here) discovered way more guys than girls, but the girls were definite ‘minters’ so - Not bad for a late Friday helping.

Dave Seaman played straight after Nick’s good set (I would have said great, but after what came later, its better I say good!) and just like the old faithful Gallery, took the music up a level with great build ups and rising bass line’s - Top boy!!!! How can he look so casual when he’s destroying the dance floor??? If I thought Dave was great, then Gabriel and Dresyden were amazing, they again took the lead and raised the level up another notch, with similar clever rising bass line build ups which seemed even more powerful than Seaman’s - pure class!!! I am definitely looking forward to hearing more of these guys, they did definitely deliver the goods - I simply cannot fathom the words to say how well all the dj’s blended together, you simply could hardly tell when one finished and when the other took over. Now that for me, is a tell tale sign of a good night. The dj’s are simply harmonising and bouncing off each other!!!

I called it time out at 6am , my back was beginning to stiffen up after all the dancing so, headed off to find my coat. However a friend of mine and a member of the site - ‘Crazy Chick’ tells me Juranne the dj who played the final set completely banged it out! The only level left after the flawless performance of the previous dj’s - so well done. Im therefore happy to announce that the Gallery is officially back on the map as a total winner on the Friday night front. I don’t think there’s a night in London or the UK that can top it when it’s firing on all cylinders.

See you soon, my friends

You can see photos from the night in the UKCD Photo Gallery.

Review by paullifefit