Womb Tokyo

Tokyo. For those who haven't been it remains an enigma. A place that occupies a lofty perch in the imagination. For those who have, those visions of a future city of neon and steel aren't so far from the truth. Its greatest club is also easily one of the best in the world. Though Womb may appear low-key from the outside (indeed the difficulty of finding it lends an illicit thrill of discovery when you do), it lives up to the utopian marvel of expectation. A tall, cylindrical space within, its enveloping central chamber is warm, inviting, with one of the friendliest crowds around. But the lasers and lights are gobsmacking, undulating spotlights creating bioluminescent, organic shimmers on the floor. The mirrorball that descends is gigantic, the Steve Dash soundsystem is wildly good, and the line-ups, the line-ups! No bullshit commercial dance here, strictly the proper stuff, from drum & bass to techno. Maya Jane Coles, Metrik, Nina Kraviz and Henrik Schwarz are coming up, which should give you a good idea of where they're coming from.