Review: Content with Raresh @ Joshua Brooks

When: 27.05.2011

Reviewed by: Ben Plant

Bank Holiday weekends are time for everyone to celebrate. There’s something about having an extra day that makes people want to go crazy. This weekend is no different, and with the Ibiza opening parties taking place and thousands of people jetting over especially for them, there is choice a plenty. But in Manchester, tucked away in the intimate brick worked basement of Joshua Brooks, local night Content have booked one third of ARPIAR and overall Romanian wizard Raresh to play for 400 clued up clubbing vampires itching for their fix of quality underground music.

After arriving around 11.00pm we made our way downstairs and to be greeted by a very quiet (yet much darkened) basement. This was hardly surprising given the time so we headed upstairs, had a couple of drinks before trying our luck again to see what was going down. Upon re-entry the place was filled a beautiful crowd, ranging from student heads looking for a party to classy and elegant individuals. All of whom made the atmosphere a pleasant and happy one. Attitude, I am happy to report, was left firmly at the door. The crowd simply had one aim on their mind… to listen to some quality music.

After watching the residents do a solid job of warming up, Raresh graced the decks promptly at 1.00am and from that point onwards the bar was raised higher than a pole vaulter’s Gold medal attempt. Playing on 3 CDJs, the Romanian has this ability to effortlessly blur the lines between house and techno, something I feel makes him such a favourite. The start of his set was warm summery house music, from which he effortlessly progressed through to groovy driving techno. His percussive style oozes warm and rhythmic beats throughout his set and the odd eerie vocals thrown in there as well. Every now and again, the records would break down which would tease the crowd and get them itching for more, before hitting the crowd like a Japanese bullet train with some punchy tech rhythms and in the process send the crowd wild. All the while this is happening, he is dancing away and smiling like a Cheshire cat seeming to be genuinely enjoying himself. It was clearly evident that his energy and mood were transferring over.

When the lights came on a 4am, the club was still half full, something that is testament to Content and the quality of the night they put on. It is clear to me that based on what I saw that these guys have a shiny diamond that twinkles to the Manchester clubbers on the last Friday of every month. The night is well run and is certainly good value for money, and you get a happy, friendly and no-nonsense crowd who are there for one reason; that being to enjoy themselves. There’s no pretentiousness or attitude which is genuinely very rare these days.

I went into Joshua Brooks a Content Virgin, after Friday, I will certainly be making the trip down there again at the earliest convenience. Who needs Ibiza opening parties when you’ve got Romanian wizards coming to Manchester.

Next up, Detroit big boys Octave One live. Hold onto your hats…

Tickets for Content presents Octave One live are available here.

Tickets are no longer available for this event