Memorex @ Tramshed, Cardiff
Sun 28 Aug
Here’s Memorex again, whose Cardiff nights have more and more focused on gritty techno as oppose to the classic house and tech-house that they made their name with. Ben Klock is the muscular face of Berghain, Berlin’s techno mecca – it’s no exaggeration to say he’s the most recognisable figurehead of real techno worldwide, alongside Marcel Dettmann, who Memorex brought over last year. He has a deep understanding of techno’s diversity, able to lay waste to enormous warehouses and festival arenas as well as dark, smoke-filled basements the world over. Klock made his name playing endurance-testing afterhours sets, and that stamina and experience shows in his ability to create narrative and extreme dynamics even in the shorter performances demanded of an A-list DJ. These skills and his formidable reputation gave him the opportunities to create a Fabric CD in 2012 and win BBC Radio 1 Essential Mix Of The Year award in 2015.
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His time lately has been dominated by the live circuit, but he also has a solid discography in terms of production mainly through the Berghain affiliated Ostgut Ton label, including collaborations with Marcel Dettmann. He’s also an in-demand remixer, taking on work by Kerri Chandler, Depeche Mode, Robert Hood and Kenny Larkin. Then there’s his label Klockworks, running for 10 years now. After this, it’s hard to see which techno royalty there is left for Memorex to put their name to.
Tickets: £15-£25. Info: 029 2023 5555
words GWYN THOMAS DE CHROUSTCHOFF