The Month Ahead: Techno in London for November

Image: Chris Liebing

As the nights get darker so do my choices for November’s must attend events. Straight off the mark we have Nonplus boss Boddika taking to the Egg stage for X Get’s Darker’s inaugural birthday. Aside from producing one of the greatest tunes in the past few years in ‘Swims’ with Joy Orbison, recently he’s become one of the few faultless producers, consistently supplying great productions time after time. The night will also feature Clockwork and Hotflush regulars Dense & Pika, whose Boiler Room set you can check out below. 

Now although we’re straying a little off the ‘techno’ track with my next choice, I was basically raised on a diet of pizza, fizzy drinks and Erol Alkan so feel free to call me selfish. As the leader of Phantasy he has released simply incredible records from the likes of Daniel Avery, Tom Rowlands (The Chemical Brothers) and Connan Mockasin, proving himself to be one of electronic music’s most important artists. He tops the bill at Bugged out! at XOYO Saturday November 2nd, alongside recent Phantasy signing Nadia Ksaiba and alongside cosmic mastermind Ewan Pearson and Kiwi, whose ‘Guanaco Haka’ tune is easily one of my favourites for 2013.  

Corsica Studios prove yet again why it is quickly becoming London’s most diverse venues with an offering from ‘THEM’ promoters on November 8th. Headlined by R&S Records’ Lone, the bill also features live sets from Livity Sound and Mike Dehnert, alongside Tessela and Lucy. 

Everybody remembers their first celebrity crush, right? For me it was pop vixen turned Jamie Redknapp squeeze Louise. However, as I have matured into adult so have my crushes, and Éclair Fifi is amongst them. By deciding to pay homage to The Motor City with her Detroit curated LEAF (London Electronic Arts Festival) offering, she welcomes Kevin Saunderson, Eddie Fowlkes and Kevin Saunderson’s son Dantiez Saunderson to the Leaf Hub on November 9th. 

Well seeing as we have ‘The Elevator’ of techno booked in for November, it would seem a shame not to invite another member of the Belleville Three along too. As Rhythim is Rhythim he created one of the greatest techno numbers ever in ‘Strings of Life’, but as The Innovator he ensured techno’s lasting legacy in the heart of every man, woman and child who has ever danced in a dark room to repetitive beats. One legend just won’t do though as ACIIIIEEEED house founder DJ Pierre (watch him in the Mixmag DJ labs with Crazy P below) features on the night alongside Leftwing & Kody, James Silk & Warboy on November 9th, once again at Egg. 

Is November 9th celebrated as the day of Detroit techno or something? Is this a national holiday that I’ve failed to recognise? I only say this because Octave One will bring their behemoth live set to Basing House for Jaunt’s 6th birthday celebrations on the same night. Kevin Saunderson, Derrick May or Octave One, which one do you choose? I mean, how do you pick your favourite child? 

We go back to Corsica Studios with my next choice that celebrates all that is doof. With 2 years in the game White Jail welcome Akufen and Ostgut Ton’s The Mole on November 16th. Please ensure for this event that your techno hammer is something that would make Thor jealous. 

The Hydra continue on their path to create some of the city’s best events by linking up with Dial to bring Roman Flügel, Lawrence and John Roberts to Studio Spaces in Wapping on November 22nd. With a list of nights that include performances from Bicep, Space Dimension Controller and Moodymann to name but a few, The Hydra have once again taken control of the nations capital, and we are forever in your debt for it. 

DJ-Kicks has been heralded as the greatest mix series ever, and with it’s latest offering from John Talabot it’s proving that statement to be true. To commemorate the newest addition Talabot will be playing alongside his Spanish beatsmith Pional, Fort Romeau and Kresy for Trouble Vi5ion on November 23rd at Corsica Studios.  

And to round off this whole segment how could we not include a selection from Fabric? After it’s 30 hour birthday celebrations last month the venue plays host to a live performance from Guti as well as a showcase from one of the most popular labels around at the moment, L.I.E.S on Saturday 30th November.

Golden Ticket

As the above selections showcase, techno is a pretty flexible term to gift music across the electronic spectrum. But if we're going to give any of it the prefix 'proper', then you'd certainly give it to what Chris Liebing knocks out. The German is the epitome of techno when it's brutal, full on and, let's face it, a little bit scary. You could be forgiven for hiding in the bassbins when he's on.

The above mix encapsulates that relentless mandate, and Friday 8th November the aforementioned LEAF combine with London Warehouse Events to put him on at The Laundry. He'll be playing an extended set which will no doubt be a masterclass in the genre, and I for one can't wait.

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