This year Transatlantic  was a lower key affair – the crew had commitments – there were only 3 of us who went this year.  We had few expectations having only heard about the DJ’s from other people.  It was pretty cruisy heading in – the line out the front not too bad as went sauntered in, stretched up, and checked out the show.

The décor was pretty low key, and overall, the crowd was more relaxed than the usual QBH selection.  No real candy raver contingency, no one too dressed up or full on into it – more people cruising, there for the music, friends and a good night out.  But the expectation was there

Matt Radovich and Craig McWhinney worked the main floor as we arrived.  The tunes were pretty hard, but we were amazed at the good crowd numbers early on.  The beat was fairly low and tribal, fairly dark – the crowd slowly grew and got into it. Meanwhile in the side room, Dirty D and Able K delivered a slightly lighter, but still harder version.  Both rooms the theme was sometimes tech, again tribal, hard house.  Who knows – these aren’t really my preferred genre’s, but still some good stuff. If you love this stuff – you can tell your mates what you thought.

DEA hit the main floor and really got into things – lifting the crowd with their intensity.  Someone remarked “they are clearly happy with themselves” as they got into their set.  They built slowly – clearly playing the prelude and hit with harder, yet slower beats – a little more groove but still pretty full on.  More people moved onto the floor, responding to the calls of “are you still listening” with “yeah” as they got into it, bopping with the guys who were energetic behind the mix desk.

By 2 when they finished their set, the crowd were pretty pumped and ready for Adam Beyer who was enthusiastically received on the now crowding main floor, the vibe relaxed, non threatening and ready for fun, although there were lots of well behaved, shirts-on blokes.  Adam kept up the harder theme, but it was more accessible than earlier.

Problem is with music of this intensity is you have to dance hard to really go with it.  For shorter bursts, it was great, and early on, Beyer gave plenty of build and climax. Don’t ask me track names – I was there to dance.  As the set progressed, I got knackered – I’d gone too hard.  It was great value.

I chilled for the transition to Joel Mull, I think quite a few people did the same.  His set definitely came in a little softer – more in keeping for building up as he progressed toward the small hours.  Again we grooved and got into it – a tired friend who danced a little too enthusiastically dragged me off the floor just before 5 – she was driving me home – meant I left before seeing the end of Joel’s set – but the smiling faces on the floor as I left makes me think quite a few stayed on for the irrepressible mikey callander at 7am.

On walking in on the night, I realised I had taken us to hear music we’d not normally choose – Ok – I prefer my trance and psy.  But enough people got into it to tell me the chin strokers, apart from some interesting mixes early on, would say they had a good night out.  We did.  We danced.  We had a good time.  Same for a lot of other people. That’s what matters.

These were the words – now go see the pics – mine and Ellways.