Club Review: Clown & Sunset Don't Break My Love w/ Nicolas Jaar @ Mint Warehouse

Event Date: Friday 27th January

Words: Jack Law

At the back end of 2011, Mint Club announced they were broadening their horizons and opening the Mint Warehouse... a prospect which got a lot clubbers around Leeds talking. As they drip-fed us with images and lineups of what to expect from the new venture, excitement was building for the opening, which would see Nicolas Jaar return to Leeds almost exactly a year after his smashing Louche debut back at Mint Club.

The Mint Warehouse itself is located at Aquatite House, formerly The Factory (Kerbcrawler). Arriving at about 11pm, downstairs was pretty quiet so we headed straight upstairs to check out the second room. And it was seriously going off! Another big space, a rather simple lighting system at the front which seemed to do just the trick, flashing reds and greens, plenty of people dancing and the Flux & Butterside Up guys were dropping Kruse & Nuernberg's 'Daze Without You'; an absolute belter. It was the place to be; a contrast to downstairs in the main room, where the vibes were pretty slow in the build up to Jaar.

Having heard Nicolas Jaar was starting an hour late at about 1am, we jumped on the one way system from the second room, down the stairs and out onto the smoking terrace (which is huge - one of the best smoking areas around). There was a queue at the doors back into the main room, a queue which, as the night progressed, became notorious for keeping you out in the cold for at least twenty minutes every time you either went out for a cig or were simply heading from room two (or three) to room one. This got pretty annoying.

Unless you were right at the front of the DJ booth, it was pretty much impossible to see anything apart from the clubbers dancing in front of you. All the same, the soulful, melodic and punchy beats oozing out of the stacks of Function Ones surrounding the booth suggested Jaar had started. Despite his late arrival, the fans were very appreciative, and he did not fail to impress, sending the main room into a frenzy for the first time. The crowd went wild to Jaar's unorthodox house style which, at times, can sound quite downbeat. Jaar was using a combination of instruments and gadgets to construct his signature live set, and it sounded incredible, highlights including his rather special tunes like his 'Encore'.

Acid Pauli came on after but he was quite boring, so we went to check out room three. An intimate little room on the other side of the terrace, inside it was bouncy and fun, but nothing on room two. Back in the queue, back through the main room and upstairs to Flux & Butterside Up, where we got our heads down and our fists pumping to what was now some quite serious techno! Probably the System residents; whoever it was, it was great.

We headed back down for Dinky, one of my favourites. She came on and smashed it, really getting the crowd going. She spun tune after tune; recent bangers like Green Velvet & Russoul's 'Millie Vanillie', not so recent bangers like Deetron's remix of 'Precious' and a groovy remix of the classic 'Music Is The Answer'.

All in all, the night had been a success. All three rooms of the giant Mint Club had delivered great party vibes, the giant terrace was a delight to smoke and socialise on, the toilets upstairs were a pleasure (apart from the queuing, standard), Nicolas Jaar had once again showcased his rather special talent and Dinky had rocked it. 

There were bound to be teething problems with the launch of a new venue – hopefully next time the queues might be less lengthy, on arrival and for re-entering the main room.

Here's what to look forward to over the coming months from the mighty Mint Warehouse:

Mint Warehouse presents MARCO CAROLA – 10th March

Mint Warehouse presents Derrick Carter & Inner City (live) - 24th March

Mint Warehouse presents Laurent Garnier LBS w/ Nina Kraviz & Giles Smith - 6th April

System & Louche Bank Holiday Special (lineup TBA) - 6th May

AND a little birdy tells us the Mint Warehouse may just hold the official CITP afterparty!

See more events at Mint Warehouse and buy tickets 

Read more club reviews

Find more clubnights in Leeds