It’s difficult to talk about the London underground without mentioning Art of Dark. For 14 years, the collective have been pushing their spirited strains of dance music, connecting multiple generations in both their bookings and audience.
This weekend, they head to FOLD and Starlane for a marathon session from 11pm – 8pm, providing extended sets that encourage the flow state required to bring the best from the both the artist and audience experience.
There’s a refreshing approach in their ethos, building relationships with artists who continue to return year after year. Joining them to celebrate their 14th birthday is the veteran of darkness, Nicolas Lutz. The Uruguayan selector has long been a firm favourite in London and wider circles with a tendency for darker, more pensive beats.
Devotion comes to mind when you think of the artists that grace Art of Dark booths. Known for their freakishly obsessive digging habits, you can always expect to hear tracks for the first time, and often the last time. Nicolas Lutz is one of the finest in combining 90s gems with contemporary cuts, many from his Uruguayan peers and close friends of his label My Own Jupiter.
This community-driven approach draws the best out of artists, knowing they are returning to a keen-eared crowd hungry for mind expanding music. It wouldn’t be wild to say many Londoners have heard Lutz playing more than 10 times and the excitement remains as potent as ever.
Joining him is the rising Argentinian artist Juaan following his release on the Art of Dark label and a standout set last year. The spirited music coming from Juaan’s repertoire is perfectly suited to both Art of Dark and Fold’s main room. Deep, dark and driving, his pulsing tracks have been played heavily in recent years after EPs for the likes of Kalahari Oyster Cult and Sarah Tonin Records, as well as a free download on our channel last year.
Making his FOLD debut is the highly regarded northern DJ, Louie G. Another true devotee of vinyl culture with years of collecting and playing countless parties across Leeds, Liverpool and Manchester, holding residencies at both Persona and Social Hours. Whether it’s the cosy warm up slot, peak time hypnosis or a delicate afters, his record bag always answers the call and momentum is surely building for this young artist.
Long time resident and the trusty record bag of Colin Chiddle completes the line-up in the main room, leaving plenty of time for extended sets on FOLD’s delightful sound system. In true birthday fashion, the party rolls on right through til 8pm at Starlane, the perfect after-hour spot just a stones throw from FOLD.
Carl H and Richard Gregory are invited for a spellbinding B2B through shades of their unique trance and tripped-out cuts perfect for those hazey morning moments. Turin born and London based DJ Saro also brings his bag of unpredictable records to Star Lane, as well as a classic unannounced B2B very likely with guests from FOLD.
If you have never experienced the infamous FOLD into Starlane hypnosis, this is a great opportunity to dive in to top tier selectors and a community of music lovers.
Buy tickets for Art of Dark’s 14th birthday here.
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