Having visited the Czech capital a few times before, I was under the impression that I pretty much knew what to expect. The beautiful architecture of the city mixed with a vibrant cosmopolitan atmosphere. Lots of Americans, apparently close to 30,000 inhabit the city on a permanent basis and lots of expectant lads from all over the place searching for the signs of the world renowned Czech ladies. Of course Prague does offer this is bucket loads since its rise to prominence as a party capital and of course the ridiculous beer prices – around 50p a pint. The `Magic City` as it has been dubbed in recent years is a haven of bars, pubs and clubs and with this reputation is constantly playing host to the worlds best artists, both on the decks and off. Clubs here like to mix it up a little and with the two most famous venues in Prague – The Roxy and Radost FX (Radost meaning Happiness) this is obvious. The programs for the new year include DJ performances from Paul Rogers (Sumsonic, UK) and DJ Vadim, Kosheen and Machine Head doing the live thang as well as theatre performances during the week.
Monday 29th December 2003
The party that’s bringing me to Prague for my first New Year here is in a brand spanking new place called simply `3` - www.klub3.cz .
`A new club is long overdue` - says Kev Quadrant, one quarter of `The quadrant Sound system` and one of the clubs new monthy residents. Alongside him as fellow residents are none other than arguably the 2 most respected DJs in Prague today, Trava and Loutka. The opening of the club was but 2 weeks ago with all three on duty but not everything went according to plan as Kev explains, `the place was completely packed, I’d say roughly 2000 people all came to check out this new place, it was free too. The thing was that the owners didn’t have all the correct paperwork, and when neighbours complained about a disturbance in came the police and closed it at about three in the morning.` So with this in mind, we grab a tram and head over the city to see what all the fuss was about.
As we walk through onto the balcony over looking the main stage my breath escapes me and I have to say its one of the best venues I have seen, ever. The club is basically a converted theatre, much like the Roxy but has a bigger balcony area, the whole place is red (its still being painted) and the lighting looks like something from a Marylyn Manson Arena concert, that means its f***ing amazing. Im sweating, and a toothy grin creeps onto my flushed face, this is gonna be fun.
We meet with the main promoter – Peta – one half of the famed `Significant Other` group and he assures that all is gonna be just fine. The feedback has been good and he is expecting a lot of people but then again, they always say that don’t they….
Tuesday 30th December
Ok, so, everything seems to be in order. I get up at around 13.00, that’s pretty early I know for someone who’s daylight hours are from nine at night till six in the morning. Back at Kev’s we pick through some new material for tonights radio show. We got three hours to fill so we devise a few competitions for tickets and t-shirts and figure out a loose plan for the evening. We meet up with Mark Parody, another DJ who will be performing his first new year in Prague. Mark has been doing some great things in his native Manchester. After first being a resident for Tribal Sessions, he moved onto doing his own promoting with `Casamusica`, a Thursday nighter inviting all the names you’ve heard of and successfully crafting a niche in a city bursting at the seams with house music events. We go for dinner and meet up with some other artists and party people from around the globe that have all converged on the `Magic City` for the new years celebrations.
Along with myself, Kev and Mark sit fellow club professionals Charlie One, Invanka and Mateo. Charlie One is a well known name around Prague, having collaborated with some of the biggest names in the Czech Republic and most notably adding the vocals to `Significant other`. She will be providing her haunting tones and lavish stage show at 3 also, I can’t wait! Ivanka, is a pint-sized power house, half Russian, half Czech, she now lives in Capetown and has carved out a successful career mashing down them dubplates for the drum n bass massive. She will be heading north to the mountains to play at a private party. Mateo, heralding from Slovakia and DJing regularly in Bratislava alongside Martin Haberland and Mersey is over just for fun.
After a superb Mexican and a lot of Sambucca, we grab a taxi to the studios of Prague Radio 1. There we meet up with Pat Heart, a re-located Suisse DJ and something of a Prague legend, he has been playing around the city for the last ten years. His record collection confirms this and I am blown away by his selection and mixing skills, more info at - www.vivacity.cz . Then its our turn, all goes well, we give away 10 t-shirts and 10 tickets so at least there is someone listening to us at 2am.
Wednesday 31st December 2003 – New Years Eve
Let`s start this properly shall we? – OK say I. We rise later than usual, and head on down to the `Thirsty Dog` for a real `Full English Breakfast`. Now, in this health crazed, fitness obsessed world in which we live, I still don’t believe there exists such a pleasure as the viewing and consumption of 2 eggs,2 bacon, mushrooms, hash browns, tomato and most importantly, 2 real Lincolnshire sausages, of course accompanied by toast and a pot of Earl Grey. This causes no significant problems to my appetite and leaving an astounded waitress, we move on to meet the guys from Silicone Soul for a wee whiskey. The guys are also here for their `Hogmany` (that’s new year in Scotland) debut, topping the bill for the Fest-eve event taking place in, wait for it, a new shopping centre. Not a bad idea considering they’ve already sold 2500 tickets and it looks set to be the biggest party of the night. After a few, we catch a cab over to 3 to sound check the new system and have a few more at the bar. At this rate, I’m going to be singing into the ceramic microphone come the big moment, I better use my special DJ training skills if I’m to remain upright for my set which is from 02.30 – 04.00. The sound is pretty damn phat and those lights I mentioned earlier are breathtaking, all we need now is people…..and another Vodka…..
By 22.00 all worries are long forgotten, partially due to the vast alcohol consumption by yours truly and the number of people coming through the door. By 23.00 the club is really rockin’ as Mark Parody steps up to take control. Mark funks it up a little, dropping bass heavy numbers mixed with a touch a breakbeat – at midnight – its hands in the air for `The Danny Krivit edit of Derrick May's 'Strings of Life', sweet. It`s time to check out Silicone Soul, so off we go. Mateo and I fly around the corner and jump the security for a glimpse of what’s going on.
The party is massive and the Scotts are rockin`, its happy new year all round as they dish out glass after glass of Whiskey and `Coke`. There must be 3000 people there and the volume is intense as the boys continue to pound the party. Ok, enough of that, I’m meant to be working, I check the time and its 02.15 – 15 minutes to get my ass back around the corner to `3` for my turn.
Upon arriving the first thing that hits me is the heat, Mark is still rocking and Charlie One is singing and dancing like a women possessed, it looks like everyone is having a real good time. They’ve been joined by at least 30 people on the stage and I’m a very happy man. Time to go to work, digging around in my box, I decide to open with the tune synonymous with this city, `Magic City Prague` by Czech hero’s – `Significant Other`, With that the crowd step it up and away we go. Well all goes well until the final bell and I step down to hand over to the very capable `Kel Quadrant`. Kel makes it a little trippy but its now 5am and the after-party is calling us. The whole experience has been truly amazing and I hope it’s not long before I return. With hugs and kisses and congratulations for everyone we pack up and head off to the after-party, I would probably be arrested if I gave details of the rest of the night, day and night so I wont even try, if you see me, grab my arm and I’ll tell you personally, lets just say, I’m amazed I got away alive…`The Magic City` lived up to its name for me yet again, if u can, be sure to Czech it out.
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