Tukan Techno @ Undertone
Sat 7 Sept
That’s Tukan, pronounced like ‘toucan’ – I didn’t ask, but there’s an image of one on all their branding so didn’t really feel the need – and techno, that type of dance music which has been in wretchedly short supply in south Wales all year. I’ve been going to nights here for over two decades and have never known it to be this bad. That makes new faces like Tukan Techno, who debuted in Undertone in July, all the more valuable, and on only their second night they’re trying something a bit different, so fair dinkum.
Headliner for the evening, Harvey ‘El Choop’ Jones, is currently based in Bristol but grew up just inside the Welsh border, specifically Montgomery in Powys. His speciality is dub techno, the sort of thing pioneered by Basic Channel producers in the early 90s and consistently imitated, adapted and redeployed ever since. Jones’ take on it highlights the sparse arrangements and core-rattling bass while acknowledging that techno crowds primarily want to move a bit, although with only two other DJs (residents Innerkey and Tom Gatley) across six hours, he should have enough time to plot a journey.
Admission: £5. Info: 0292022 8883 / www.undertonecardiff.com (NG)