Return to The Future Launch Party w/ Art Department

The Friday before the Friday before Christmas saw the launch of what will surely be a fresh new wave of warehouse events courtesy of 'Return to the Future'. Over a decade of experience putting on parties in the East end brought together an excellent line-up to help us all roll into the yuletide countdown, with some urgent synth-drenched sentiment from pretty young thing Ali Love, some genuine depth from New-Yorker-turned-Berliner Bill Patrick and some crisply clinical business from young hot-shot Alexis Raphael.
 
In terms of the music that's finding its way into East end air-vents these days, there are few more relevant imprints at present than Crosstown Rebels and Hot Creations, so the lineup for 'Return to the Future' really spoke for itself. Ali Love did not disappoint at all with his live PA offering up a number of his offerings from this year's Infinity Ink project with Luca C. There is a delicate vulnerability to his music which is nicely countered by a confident sense of self which really comes through in his vocals. 
 
Love's label-mate at Hot Creations, Alexis Raphael, brought clean, crisp depth to the Hackney Print House floor, and by the time he was into the swing of things, there was a genuine sense of occasion about the place. The team behind 'Return to the Future' had looked to bring something more refined and intimate to the warehouse canon, as opposed to the darker, starker events that the East end has become accustomed to. The production levels were certainly above and beyond those normally encountered on the concrete floors, with exceptional sound and an impressive laser-display all allowing the night to live up to the promoters' promise of "cutting edge with comfort"; their's is a blueprint I would happily browse again in 2012.
 
So, to the main event. Art Department have had an exceptional 2011 by anyones standards, and their offerings last Friday felt like a celebration of that success. Add to their achievements of 2011 the fact that it was Jonny White's birthday party, and this clarifies why the entire crew behind the decks on Friday looked so satisfied with how the night was unfolding.

Kenny Glasgow and Jonny White have known each other for many years, and their friendship shines through loud and proud when they play out together. The Toronto duo responded warmly to the more intimate surroundings that 'Return to the Future' placed them in, and to how much the crowd was enjoying their enjoyment - it was clear they were having a great time (a far cry from having to DJ with no headphones!). This was deep, honest and very welcoming electronic music of the highest calibre, which made for one of 2011's more memorable nights. Hats off Art Department and hats off Return to the Future.