CRASHER PRESENTS JUDGEMENT SUNDAYS PT1

6th MAY 2007

The first bank holiday weekend in May has traditionally indicated the beginning of summer, but for clubbers it’s the start of the party season. Long, hazy-crazy nights, warm smiles and an unquenched thirst to have it right off! Who better to kick off proceedings in style, than one of Ibiza’s most successful nights, Judgement Sundays, combined with the global party instigators - Gatecrasher.

It’s widely recognised that clubs in Ibiza have a special vibe and atmosphere, which is rarely matched outside the white isle. One particular clubbing sanctuary in Sheffield has been home to that spellbinding spirit for years, Gatecrasher. A magnet for clued up clubbers and the premiership of the world’s djs, tonight’s tonic was summoned by Judge Jules, Lisa Lashes, Matt Hardwick, John Askew & Stevie G in the main room, with Oliver Lang, Corey, Sandy Turnbull and The Funk Junkies in the Electric Box.

By 10.30pm the foyer was filling, as Stevie G worked the crowd with a rasping bass-line and cascading synth melodies. The sound in the Electric Box was gritty with filth laden house raising the temperature and consuming the dance-floor. An intimate but vibrant room that lends itself to dj interaction with the crowd and a fever induced atmosphere. It’s an ideal room to warm up, converse with friends old and new or simply get lost in the groove drenched house party. Ibiza stalwart, Oliver Lang and JS supremo, Judge Jules were the headliners, dropping Balearic beats to a slinky crowd.

In the main room Crasher godfather, Matt Hardwick, is building one of his expertly layered sets, commanding an early hold over the dance-floor. Judgement Sundays guest dj for the past few seasons he consistently delivers well structured and infectious sets. As I take in the impressive décor, Matt lures clubbers from the bar with some familiar melodic offerings from the likes of, Filo & Peri. Atmospheric & ambient lighting mimics the steadily building intensity of Hardwick’s set. His audience grow more captivated as he progresses the tempo. A yearning female vocal drifts over subtle yet memorable tones, grins widen as the emotional impact of the breakdown peaks. Always an important moment for a dj, he smiles at the crowd reaction, Matt’s forthcoming production with Mark Pledger, Fallen Tides, was greatly received. As was his performance on warm up duties. The spiralling notes of one of the biggest tracks of the year and a pinnacle track in many of Hardwick’s recent sets, Tears of Hope, signals his work is done. The crowd perfectly poised to lap up the tech-tribalist, Randy Katana.

In contrast to Matt’s more melodic approach, Katana surged forth with some pounding, percussive rhythms. Raising his arms he conducts a breakdown before lowering his head and bobbing as the beat drills back in, causing a commotion. The emotive strings from his own production, ‘In Silence’ form a momentary plateau before the galloping bass line and distorted arpeggios regenerate the crowd. After a short but crisp lesson in tech-nology, it was up to Judgement Sunday’s founder, Judge Jules, to deliver his verdict.

Jules, one of scenes most successful and widely recognised djs, feels very at home in the Crasher booth. Having played at the club for over a decade, the former resident has a special connection with the crowd and a sustained history of demolition on the dance floor. With limitless energy behind the decks – clubber’s lap up Jules’ enthusiasm and ability to read the crowd then drop a monstrous track into the mix. Moving between trademark upfront cuts including Headstrong – Symphony of Soul through to techy and fragmented stompers from the likes of Fabio Stein, he switches up a gear, building momentum throughout the club. Jules, always an animated character behind the decks, pauses momentarily during a breakdown. As the industrial and haunting riff from Joop – The Future rips its way across Crasher, he gives an appreciative grin and adopts a knowing look before this dirty beast of a track warbles its way through the speaker. After an emphatic set, Jules acknowledges the crowd and makes his way to the Electric Box for a house set. Keeping to the Judgement Sunday’s tradition of a main room and back room set, it’s the first time he has played a house set at Crasher. Allowing for close crowd interaction, the Electric Box offers an intimacy that main rooms cant. Dropping electro through to funkier stuff, it’s like a good old fashioned houseparty! Bora Bora resident, Oliver Lang also played some filthy beats in the Electric Box, but I didn’t get chance to hear all of his set.

Following Jules was a debut for widely acclaimed dj and producer, John Askew. Head of Discover Records he has become one of the most in demand throughout the UK. Favouring driving, kick-led bass lines, his pulsating sound is complimented by evocative breaks and subtle strings. When the distinctive notes of Vincent De Moor – Fly Away (Tyas) belts its way through the speakers its clear the Crasher crowd are enjoying Askew’s ascent. The green and blue lasers cast their splintered glow across the main stage, as pyro explosions erupt from either side of the dj booth. John’s own remix of Amadeus vs Aly & Fila ‘A Dream of Peace’ goes down a storm alongside the forthcoming ‘Time Bomb’ (Tom Colontonio mix) from Sly One vs Jurrane. Commanding you to dance, each track causes a full on body assault, hitting the feet & hips first with a disgracefully pumping bass line, then targeting the head next with brain slicing synthwork. The crowd clearly enjoying every minute, beckon each kick back with arms elevated and an enormous cheer.
Following his emphatic debut performance at Crasher for Judgement Sunday, John Askew reflects on his experience:

"It was an absolute pleasure to play at the legendary Gatecrasher at the weekend. Although I have played various events for them in other cities it was my first time in Sheffield and it's blatantly clear to see where the reputation comes from. The venue is stunning and the crowd are friendly and truly up for it! I loved every fucking minute of it and can not wait to come back!!!"

Set for a return in the summer, fortunately it won’t be long before we have to wait for Mr. Askew’s return! Up to close proceedings was a dj needing little introduction, Lisa Lashes. Having played at a vast array of the worlds leading hard dance events and clubs, Lashes has also been Judgement Sunday’s resident for a number of years. It’s testament to her ability to work a crowd into a frenzied state that has ensured her success as a dj. After dropping crowd pleasing remixes of various classics, she unleashed her own track ‘Always Faithful’ to great adulation. Keeping the tempo fierce, an unforgiving, dark bass line resonates from the speakers, as Lashes dances behind the decks, feeding off the simmering atmosphere. As the reworked Crasher classic ‘Crazy Malamute – Free to Ride’ kicks in like a mule, it’s clear to see that Judgement Sundays has gone down a treat. Bringing an enticing slice of Ibiza to Sheffield and kick starting the summer with a bang.

Words: Liam Postlethwaite