Bandits at Phoenix used to be one of my favourite nights out, but after Bandits left, the venue died a little. Besides an accidental escapade to a random night of industrial house, I had stopped going to events at Phoenix.

I heard about Pistols & Hearts from some friends who swore it would not disappoint as so many other nights had recently done. On Friday the 17th of October I returned to Phoenix after over a year, and I was happy with what I found. The night consisted of headliners Afters and Cheap Thrills and a selection of smaller acts. The vibe was not too full on, with enough space to chill out and not be stepping on toes and falling over and breaking shit. This was what I missed about clubbing at Phoenix, a friendly crowd just there to party hard. The bar was not overly packed, there was no line for the toilets and the dance floor was sufficiently packed. Phoenix still has that loud, dirty and dark feeling to it but it has progressed from the intense and filthy space it was before. The crowd had changed, Pistols & Hearts was stand alone and different. Some clubbers tired of the electro-trashtastic scene of the Cross had headed over for the grungier style offered by the deep south of Oxford Street, not to be confused with the Gaff. It was a refreshing change from what I had sorely missed that gave the clubbers everything that Oxford Arts and 77 could no longer offer, a cutting edge take on electro.

The Monster DJs seriously got the crowd moving with a fast-paced and versatile mix. People were jumping around like there was no tomorrow as there was a smooth, yet erratic, spin of hip hop, electro and dirty pop tracks. It was good to finally see some DJs mix some different styles to the repetitive and similar mixes promoted by the homogenous nights in the cross. It still surprises me that you can go clubbing at a place like 77 and really notice that it has not changed since last year. Don’t get me wrong, that can be a comforting feeling, but it is nice to see Pistols & Hearts stand up and give the clubbers something new to talk about. Although this night is relatively new, it is already overshadowing the ordinary styles that too many clubs have dragged on for way too long. In fact, Pistols & Hearts completely bitch-slapped the Cross in the face.

When Afters and Cheap Thrills were playing the crowd migrated in from the social space that is the gutter to keep on partying. It was a free for all where anything went and people were going nuts. It was cool to see people really get into the night and just get loose.

After the Monster DJs played, Pistols & Hearts just kept pulling out the relevant acts. It was cool to see a team put so much effort into a night that actually works. it’s a night that’s earning itself more and more recognition because it deserves it. By consistently providing a space that differentiates itself from the rest, clubbers are starting to recognise this night as one that will not go away. I encourage people to check it out for themselves; the night bought back a lot for me so hopefully it will do the same to past and present Phoenix goers alike.