RBMA Liverpool presents Moodymann, Young Marco, Hunee review

Liverpool's clubbing scene is rivalling the very best at the moment. The abundance of warehouse spaces, the varied programming and the hidden gems are all contributing to the city's thriving nightlife, at a time when worry is rife about the state of it in the UK.

A four-day stretch from RBMA was the latest treat for locals as the institution took over the city for the first time ever, a testament if you needed it that Liverpool is more than capable of holding something like this with ease these days. Amongst the lectures, workshops and gigs, there was one event in particular from the brand which ravers went mad for - Club Cosmos, complete with its top drawer headliner; Moodymann.

The Detroit icon's only other English date this year was in London, and the last time he played in Liverpool was way back in 2011 at The Shipping Forecast. It's been a long time coming, but good things come to those who wait. This time, he was hosted at the Invisible Wind Factory, a new venue venture by the team behind the recently closed Kazimier, complete with the same creative vision which made the now bulldozed building a firm favourite with promoters and attendees alike.

Described as 'stargazing for the post-disco generation', the one of a kind installation for RBMA transformed the space with mirrored sculptures resembling meteors, replete with a planet-like sphere hanging from the ceiling firing lasers from within. It was as otherworldly as the event name had portrayed.

The colossally high ceiling makes the industrial room appear even bigger than its capacity suggests, and from the balcony running across the side of the main room, you get a proper look at the full venue. Looking out onto the sea of dancers, light reflected from the constellation decorations, with beams bouncing through perforated holes on the decorative designs and onto the mass of people beneath. 

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Sassy J was on warm up duties for the main man, securing grooves from the get-go as the room began to swell with excitement. The RBMA logo was emblazoned behind her along with the hoops of tube lighting which framed the stage, which really does look and act like a stage - the artists were positioned above the crowd level, higher than the usual deck set up, making everything seem a tad more theatrical. As the clock struck 12 she passed the baton to the DJ that we'd all been waiting for.

"What's happening Liverpool?" Moodymann purred into his headphones as his voice echoed throughout the room, returned with hoots of appreciation. He started with Jimmy Hendrix's 'Purple Haze' then transitioned seamlessly into 'Betray My Heart' by D'Angelo and The Vanguard. He soon shifted the tempo for the DJ Koze remix of Wassermann's 'Die Schallplatte', a fittingly galactic sounding track. 

He dug into classics including MK's definitive 'Burning', oozing charm throughout with an undeniably suave stage presence. The selector then provoked a mass singalong with ODB's 'Baby I Got Your Money' before dropping it into 'Jeux De Langes' by Peter Digital Orchestra.

Moodymann was followed by two Amsterdam-dwelling talents, Hunee and Young Marco, who are both impressive to see solo, but together it was a whole new dynamic. It was an utter joy to experience them working together, matching swinging rhythms with disco jams as they pasted smiles across the audience - the set was as feel good as they come.

Everything felt as polished as you'd expect a Red Bull event to be. Seamless sets and a crowd of genuine music lovers made for one of the best parties we've been to in Liverpool for some time. But the real difference was the venue, and fortunately for Liverpool, the Invisible Wind Factory is only just getting going.

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