mono_cult New Year's Day review

Images: Justin Gardener

On a day that sets out to welcome new beginnings, mono_cult marked the end of an era with its last ever party in Leeds this New Year's Day. After setting the city's party scene alight for the past eight years, the night closed its doors with one final celebration last weekend, as a permanent move to London is planned.

Starting out as a series of Sunday day parties, mono_cult soon carved out a reputation for itself for its New Year's events, becoming a firm fixture and one that will be missed for the Yorkshire clubbing community.

Frequenting a series of venues over the years such as The Lounge, The Faversham, Full Circle, and Wire, it's current home Canal Mills where the night had its final dance, bringing heavyweights such as John Talabot, Nina Kraviz and Leeds based Midland to close the night with an almighty bang. 

We arrived at around 10pm to find the venue had changed since our last visit for the mono_cult New Years Day party of 2014. Gone was the entrance foyer bar and seating area, and instead you were greeted straight away with the main room where People Get Real were warming up proceedings. 

Starting off with laid-back funky grooves, the northern duo provided a soundtrack for the early birds who, even early on in the night, were not shy in taking to the dance floor. Soon the low-slung opening fun turned serious with Mateo Murphys hypnotic track ‘Apex’ (below) catching our attention, and reminding us that the entrance of John Talabot was drawing closer.

We headed over to the smaller, intimate Room 2 where mono_cult promoters Matt Long and Paul Kaminski were making it their own. Taking over the room for five hours, a slot like this must be a pleasure for the head honchos who were keen to show clubbers the records that define the club's ethos, resulting in a varied and surely personal set as the promoters stepped in the booth for one last time. 

After a boogie in the side room, we head back to the main warehouse, which was now flooded with party people. Fans old and new accumulated, preparing themselves for the masterclass ahead. 

Glowing orb lights hanging on the ceiling were complimented by glitchy black and white visuals, placed either side of the LED screen clad booth. Ice cannons and strobes kicked off as early as 11pm, adding to the sense of excitement as Talabot graced the decks. 

Performing nothing short of a hauntingly beautiful mix, there is a reason why the Barcelona based producer was invited for the final send off, as a firm favourite of mono_cult fans. Tracks like ‘Paperclip People – Oscillator’ (below) built up to an explosive ending, bringing the crowd to a peak-time euphoria whilst the night was still young. 

We were sure the set times were planned exactly for this purpose; there was a sense of urgency and the impression of diving ‘head first’ with the final ever mono_cult party. 

Going out on New Years Day is always a gamble, or perhaps a test of stamina with the pull of New Years Eve celebrations sucking you in and taking your energy the night before. Unfortunately, although we had the best of intentions, we had fallen foul of the temptations of NYE frivolities and were flagging as Bicep were into their two hour slot.

As the seas of ravers fist pumping a farewell showed no sign of slowing, and our knees grew ever more tired, we decided to call it a night although sad to have missed Midland and Nina Kraviz, knowing the raging techno storm that would have unleashed.

It also would have been a treat to see friend of mono_cult Midland wrapping things up in Room 2, having played one of his first ever sets at the 2010 New Years Day party for the crew. 

As Leeds waves goodbye to another quality event whilst it makes its way to the capital, it's a sign of what a great place the city is for nurturing underground musical talent and letting it grow.

We’re sorry we didn’t make it till the end mono_cult, but are pleased to have been there to say goodbye. 

Like this? Try Canal Mills New Year's Eve review