Inside Out presents Move D at Soup Kitchen review

Image: Move D

To kick off the Halloween weekend, Inside Out invited underground house and techno hero Move D to play down in Soup Kitchen’s intimate basement. An appointment in the city’s best nightclub, the transcendent German producer and DJ - real name David Moufang - brought his infectious energy to the dance floor for his second Manchester show in recent weeks. 

In late September Moufang performed alongside Dutch producers Juju & Jordash at Hidden as part of their live analogue project, ‘Magic Mountain High’. However, on this occasion he was alone, and armed with his renowned record collection. 

Move D is one of the dance circuit's real connoisseurs and a bona fide house music icon. He’s reached cult status and built a loyal fan base since his inception into the scene in ‘93 as Deep Space Network with co-producer and creative partner, Jonnas Grossman.

He’s a selector, who in his late forties is still as fervent as ever. Since those early days, he’s witnessed the industry change from within the eye of the storm. From the rise of digital media to electronic music’s peaks and troughs in popularity, not to mention the birth of mainstream American EDM. 

On the night, he worked his magic behind the decks for around three hours, sipping on red wine as he went. Naturally, he kept the crowd guessing his next move (a frankly impossible task), as he delved into his record bag and dropped cheeky house cuts, broody techno and jazzier numbers. They were all met with an ecstatic dancefloor, a reflection of his own exuberance. 

Moufang utilised his knowledge and passion for intelligent dance music to create - or dig for - sounds that shaped his set to ebb, flow, and jump between different styles, tempos and genres. Move D is very much the thinking man's DJ, but let’s be clear, he knows exactly how to soundtrack a party. The man from Heidelberg is a purveyor of far-reaching electronic sounds.

After reading Moufang's recent comments in which he slammed Facebook advertising, it’s fitting that the promoters, Inside Out, sold every ticket without adopting the much maligned pay model to get punters through the door. Their headliner’s unwavering stature, impeccable selection skills and nice-guy reputation took care of that.

In a nutshell: It was a night in the company of perhaps the most respected DJ on the circuit and an educated crowd with a mutual passion for the music. That’s all you could ask for. After all, we just want to dance. 

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