Abandon Silence Farewell to The Kazimier Part One review

Images: Alex Alderdice

In April the news broke that The Kazimier, Liverpool’s infamous bohemian arts and music venue, was due to close. Despite thousands of signatures in the previous months, the developers had reached an agreement, and sadly the decline of UK clubs was set to continue.

Abandon Silence, one of Liverpool’s leading club nights, first began using the Kazimier in 2012. Now in its final run using the venue, the team behind it are determined to ensure they see out the venue’s closure in style, bringing in experienced selectors playing extended sets allowing them to showcase their quality and passion for the music they play.

Before the night gets underway, sadly we’re informed that due to a certain national Dutch airline and a patch of fog above Amsterdam, Christopher Rau can’t make tonight. Instead Abandon Silence’s own Andrew Hill takes his place ensuring the crowd is ready for Move D.

His set delivers the likes of Youandewan’s Soul of Mischief edit '93' (listen below), before ramping up the atmosphere inside later on, with quick-fire selections, such as Roman Flugel’s summer anthem 'Sliced Africa'.

Conversation of the Kazimier’s imminent closure doesn’t escape the confides of the affectionately known, ‘Rat Alley’, with people sharing stories of times spent here throughout the evening. But as much as it’s hard not to dwell on all this, with a line up so strong, there’s a lot to look forward to tonight, notably the new room making it’s debut - House of Yeos.

As it turns out, House of Yeos is the arts academy next door, entered from around the main Kazimier bar. Inside it’s decorated with old style police lights swirling above, flashing speaker stacks, and enough lasers to transport you away from the confides of the cold warehouse.

Later on Space Dimension Controller plays a rapidly varied set blending between synth house grooves to disco-funk and more tougher acid sounding cuts with ease, only aided with near-inaudible shouts on the microphone between tracks. The only downside of this new addition is the increased foot traffic, with a one-way system in place, causing a bottleneck queue back to the club.

Once back inside the main room, Move D’s closing set is already in full flow with the Heidelberg DJ showcasing his vintage deep house sound, all delivered in his usual flawless manor to the packed dance-floor. At one point during Moufang’s set, members from The Kazimier crew can be seen dancing on the platform above the stage, letting lose and clearly enjoying themselves, cut short only by other audience members keen to join them.

It isn’t just the crowd who are enjoying themselves tonight though, Move D’s love for what he’s playing is infectious, often only too keen to showcase the vinyl sleeves to the frenzied crowd, alongside recording key moments on his camera throughout the set.

As to be expected now with a Move D set, there’s a nod to UK Garage, this time it’s The Streets classic 'Has It Come To This?' (above), with the crowd basked in the red and blue light from chandelier like structure above, arms aloft, almost shouting every word right back. Closing with his own remix of Acasual’s 'Spring Theory', results in one enthusiastic crowd surfer ending up at the back of the room before being taken into the light desk.

On another night, this may have seen some angry faces from the staff, but not tonight, there’s a real sense of celebration and playfulness, not just with the billing, but the atmosphere throughout. As the smiling faces shuffle out, it starts to sink in once more, what a great loss to the city of Liverpool the Kazimier truly will be. 

Like this? Try Abandon Silence with Craig Richards, Levon Vincent and Jasper James review 

Tickets are no longer available for this event