Ministry of Sound was a riot last week, in a subdued kind of way. Most people enjoyed the Temple of Sound, an energetic bongos, guitars, decks and vocal band that has found a niche for itself in the highly competitive UK house market, putting together tribal elements in a hybrid pop/electronica format. Think Goa. But, it did leave the audience a bit bemused -- not knowing whether to dance, watch or both.
One fan of the band was clear about what she wanted to do and squeezed up to the front of the stage to shout at the top of her tiny voice, "I love you, I love you," at one of the black, women vocalists. We asked why and the reason given was: "I love her."
Afterward, Buff Wise stepped up to the plate and put down a firm but fair trance set that got the crowd going again. Wise and Damian Saint will be doing it all over again this weekend.
Luxy has been bubbling along and will have a residents' party tonight, followed by popular Japanese DJ Takkyu Ishino tomorrow: expect some techno curveballs.
The big news at Luxy is the club's first anniversary in two weeks. The party's going to go on so long and is going to be so big it will take place over two nights, with around 500 free bottles of champagne being lined up and other gifts, too. It will start on Friday, Sept. 24, with Johnny Fiasco and a Citrus theme, followed Saturday by artists from Fat Boy Slim's Southern Fried stable, including Touchay and Grandad Bob. "We're going to be giving something back for this one," Luxy's Alan Hsia said.
Tomorrow, there's a "Last Summer Party" shindig going on at Club 70s. It's free admission for ladies in bikinis. The music is from Canada, with Domination and MC Warren, and Taipei with DJ Fresco. Go to 12F, 138 Bade Rd, Sec 4, Taipei (台北市八德路4段138號12F).
Coming up, there's short mini-skirt contest at Room 18 tomorrow, as usual, and an even more enticing fashion show called "Y3," next Friday. Adidas and Yohji Yamamoto will be showing off their wares and there will be a DJ from Hong Kong called Joe Lay.
In Taichung, Swank is back tonight with "Socialite," a night of local glam, champagne and stuff at Liquid Lounge (98 Chungming S Rd) with DJ Pierre, Djones, A100 and Osborne popping electro house beats.
Lest we forget 9/11, there is peace n' love n' happiness at another party in Taichung, with the Chifunk and Revevolution people letting it all hang out. Helping out on the decks will be Caddywampus and the Sundance Kid. This is a launch party for a litle club called Mash at 40 Huamei Xi St, Sec 1, Taichung. It's said to be so small you may not even find the address on the flyer and you may be wise to make a reservation, the organizers say.
The Vinyl Word wishes to unreservedly apologize for the error in last week's column which claimed the bar formerly known as Milk, Juicy and then Saloon, was now called BTW (By The Way). This information was provided by a previously impeccable source who, no doubt, is even now saying three hail Mary's. The real name of the blue and neon-lit hangout, which incidentally serves the best cocktails in town, is BWT and means "Bar Wet Thing," confirmed one of the bar's business associates.
BWT is at 107, Xinyi Road, Sec 4, Taipei (台北市信義路4段107-2號). The Vinyl Word did not intend to cause offense or deliberately mislead the lounge-going public and regrets the mistake.
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