Review: Music Is Love @ Sankeys

Having sadly missed the enigmatic Moodymann and techno vanguard Levon Vincent at last month's edition of Music Is Love, there was no way in hell we were going to repeat the same mistake when Berghain resident Marcel Dettmann descended on the iconic Manchester Club on Friday April 11th.

Arriving at the club near midnight, straight away we were embraced by a diverse and excitable crowd of ravers as Malin Genie drew his set to close, an impressive blend of clattering kick drum heavy house and disco, culminating in the dropping of Omar S' classic remix of The Dirtbombs - ShareVari (listen above).

Next up was Rio Padice. His live set was something we were particularly excited about after his and Massimo Di Lena's killer release on Clone last year (listen to that above). True to form, Padice proceeded to produce some quality moments of knackered house and distorted off kilter acid, and whilst his set was less abrasive than the Clone release it was equally as addictive. 

The cool as you like Italian producer and owner of Early Sound Recordings dazzled us with a killer selection of fractured disco, sleazy house and lo fi beats that sounded incredible through Sankeys' sound system.

Francis Inferno Orchestra followed Padice, with the difficult task of building up for the mighty Dettmann, which he did with considerable finesse. Rolling bass lines and discerning beats flowed, and whilst the DJing wasn't technically immaculate, his selection remained consistently intriguing and varied, with moments of distorted filtered house and growling grooving bass lines brushing alongside brash, guitar soaked soul and funk, which succeeded in whipping up a palpable frenzy. 

Dettmann arrived next, crouched behind the booth sifting through his selection of records crammed with Otsgut Ton (Berghain's home label) releases as well as a whole host of others we couldn't identify. He took to the turntables at 3am, and remained mesmerising throughout.

Dettmann's techno sensibility remains one of the most singular in the field, and it was great to see that on show here. With a slow burning, sophisticated approach, he seamlessly weaved slabs of incendiary wax into each other without ever putting a foot wrong.

Highlights like the recent Answer Code Request record (listen to that beast above) showed off just why Dettmann has been the resident at one of the worlds most iconic techno clubs for so long - it was visceral, techno muscle at its finest, showcasing gradual changes and mood shifts that swathed in and out in intoxicating fashion.

In short, it was every bit the masterclass that we had hoped for. For fans of the Ostgut Ton sound it was like Christmas had come early, as the most unrelenting, solid sounds rippled through Sankeys four walls, with an up for it, all-about-the-music crowd lapping up the statuesque German's sonic sojourn.

Music is Love delivered a wicked line up that both showed the breadth of their sound, marrying tough, floor filling house with dogged, uncompromising techno, whilst ensuring that the dance floor was well and truly catered for.

With the next installment featuring Brawther and Tristan Da Cunha's hugely lauded Dungeon Meat, New York based, blissful house exponent Jus-Ed and Tsuba and Robsoul favourite Jordan Peak, Music is Love is well placed to continue in its dizzying run of form. Bag your tickets to that here, or below.

Head here to find out what's next on the Sankeys and Music Is Love roster.

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