BLACK HOUSE | CLUB REVIEW

Aberystwyh Arts Centre, Sat 7 Oct

Aberystwyth University’s Great Hall, where many of the attendees have sat exams and accepted their degrees, is tonight transformed into the Black House x Hospitality main stage. In a room where they have experienced some of the most nerve-wracking, stress-inducing hours of their lives, they are now throwing their two fingers in the air to the 140bpm drum’n’bass sound of Hospitality. To see such a niche event takeover the entire university’s Arts Centre and draw in a relatively impressive crowd is surely a special thing.

There is an intense air of anticipation throughout the town, amongst students and locals alike, in the week building to this event. The drum’n’bass culture in mid-to-north Wales is still surprisingly active. Serving this hungry audience such a high quality brand in the genre as Hospitality is a match made in d’n’b heaven. It seems to be the concoction of thunderous basslines, heavy duty drums and intermittent (and hackneyed) work from the hype men, that’s luring people towards the likes of Nu:Logic [pictured] and Friction.

Nevertheless, Black House fundamentally strives to be eclectic and versatile. This night was no exception, each zone of the Art Centre taking attendees to a different dimension. What is usually a lobby/cafe for lecturers to sit and sip coffee was momentarily the Dub Den. Time begins to slow down as the pluck of the bass guitar and the exhortations to “legalise marijuana” wash over. Both Fujin and Jam Jah supplied the most memorable versions of this dubby jungle sound.

Upstairs in the Casbar, it’s a whole different kettle of fish. The Modular takeover was a highlight, with great progression of tone throughout. Ios and Yann (going back to back) supplied quickstep funk with overlapping tech-house; Mulkern saw out the Modular sets with Berlinish, heads-down techno that was a few shades darker and hit a bit deeper than what came before. Hidden within the Casbar was a circular room filled with rambunctious bassline that made the walls sweat. Only at Black House would you find a dancefloor within a dancefloor.

Once again, Black House was astoundingly professional in terms of the organisation, rigging, sound system and decoration. The quality of music often feels somewhat of a bonus. In an ideal world, Black House will inspire and provide evidence for a burgeoning underground happening for the area. It’s the hedonistic palace for those of the midwest to dance away their troubles and experience music on a platform that no one else is providing them.

words CAMPBELL PROSSER