In terms of music history, we’ve generally been more focused on punk, soul, reggae and rockabilly but Come Here To Me! has looked occasionaly at the city’s rave, dance and club culture. For example, we’ve examined legendary 1980s gay-disco Flikkers; iconic DJ Paul Webb; the 1998 techno tune ‘Northwall’; a general overview of sources for the history of Dublin’s dance culture; a look at the after-party scene in 2011 and a reference to the early-morning techno gigs in The Dark Horse (now a Starbucks).
Soundtracksforthem.com was an Irish group blog active from 2006 until 2010. It was a wonderful mix of music, politics, film and art. The architect was one James Redmond (aka Reddy). Highly influential to the development of Come Here To Me!, Soundtracksforthem.com gave a deserved platform to a gang of mischief makers and friends of ours with enigmatic nicknames like ‘Chief’, ‘Krossphader’ and ‘Cogsy’. From 2010 onwards, Reddy transferred his work and energy into Rabble magazine and I take great pleasure in remembering those early organising meetings and first number of issues. But all during this time, Reddy was working away on researching, producing and editing a documentary film called ‘Notes on Rave in Dublin’. Premiered at the Dublin International Film Festival 2017 over two-sold out dates in February, the film explores the glorious, early days of the underground dance music scene in Dublin.
One of those interviewed in the documentary is Simon Conway. Throughout the 2000s, Simon ran the much-lauded Electric City nights and Selectah Records. I first got to know Simon through his wonderful Forza Italo disco nights in the Odessa club. Along with the Con Artist thinking-man’s football nights in the Sugar Club and the Out to Lunch takeovers of Tengu, Simon somehow also has time to run The Yacht pub in Ringsend which is one of the best boozers in the city. Full stop.
These two powerhouses – Reddy and Simon – have joined forces to bring you a solid night of entertainment this Friday 1st December across two venues.
Things kick off in Liberty Hall at 7pm with three presentations from individuals working on some exciting cultural projects:
- John Byrne will talk about a forthcoming compilation called Quare Groove which unearths a collection of Irish Groove, Punk-Funk, & Electro tracks from the 1970s to 1990s. It’s due out on Allchival (All City) in January 2018.
- Ciaran Nugent of Power FM will chat about his many years of collecting flyers from the golden era of Dublin clubbing.
- Garry O’Neill, editor of the vital ‘Where Were You? Dublin Youth Culture and Street Style 1950 – 2000, introduce his new book which focuses on the history of record shops in Dublin.
This will be followed by a panel discusison, hosted by music journalist and DJ Kate Butler, with author Kevin Barry, DJs Liam Dollard, Francois Pittion and Aoife Nic Canna who were at the forefront of things in the late 1980s and 1990s and Sunil Sharpe who is Ireland’s most significant contemporary Techno export.
Event poster.
Around 9pm, ‘Notes on Rave in Dublin’ will be shown on the big screen.
But the night doesn’t end there. Oh no. The party is moving next door to The Wiley Fox (formerly The Pint). Here, a collection of the city’s best DJs will be spinning tunes until the wee hours.
Upstairs:
Breen (Vision Collector/DDR) x Sias (Repeater Collective/DDR) x Melly (Repeater Collective/DDR)
+
DJ Kit-Kat Tennis League
Downstairs:
Garry O’Neill / Francois + more TBC
Tickets for the screening – €12. Tickets for the after party – €12. You can pick up a combo deal for €20. Available from Eventbrite.ie