Release Yourself Xmas Special @ Turnmills, London

17.12.2005

Well, what can I say?! My expectations of this night were high before I even got to Turnmills. Often when such high expectations are set, the event in reality can't live up to them - this certainly wasn't the case with Release Yourself...

In the main room Roger Sanchez played a ten hour non stop (apparently without even a single break!) - his performance was truly electric. Sanchez has a real stage presence which added to, and created, a unique atmosphere in the room. It was great to see so many happy smiling faces; we saw no attitude whatsoever and it was evident that the crowd were loving the tunes being spun. I couldn't help but feel that this event really captured the festive party spirit more than any I have been to recently. The sound quality was unfaultable; crisp treble with deep undistorted bass pumped from the speakers situated around the room. The light show was also good with lasers flickering down across the crowd creating even more of a party atmosphere.

The second room was hosted by Punx Soundcheck who were celebrating the release of their new EP 'Berlin Moon'. Electro and techy beats were being spun and the crowd were loving every second. Also playing during the evening were The Scandals and Miguel Pellitero (Fiction); bringing beautifully mixed deep progressive house beats.

Entry price was £15 in advance and £20 on the door; a small price to pay for an event featuring ten hours of Sanchez and boasting a closing time of 8am. This was reflected by how rammed the event was - the main room was totally packed and as the night progressed the second room also filled up with clubbers, mixing Sanchez's beats and electro from the second room.

Drinks were reasonably priced; £4 a bottle of Red Stripe - normal London prices and nothing to mumble about.

So, overall an excellent evening. We spoke to people who had travelled from all over the country to see Sanchez play; and they weren't disappointed.

All I can end with is roll on the next Release Yourself event - we'll certainly be there again - so, smile for the camera!

You can see photos from the night in the UKCD Photo Gallery.

Review by Monkey Boy