Off the Rails 20/06/08 - RANK1, JOHN O'CALLAGHAN, SIMON PATTERSON + more!!!!

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OFF THE RAILS @ THE PLUG, SHEFFIELD - Friday 20th June

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WWW.OFFTHERAILS-ONLINE.CO.UK

www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=5691726972

£10 Adv // More on the door
- £10 Nus OTD

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OTR. 20th June 2008. Plug, Sheffield. RANK 1, JOHN O’CALLAGHAN, SIMON PATTERSON, ART OF NOISE, RAV TAKHAR……………..YOU?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?

Lets just say that the guys down here at OTR are hoping that you are fully recovered, ready and waiting for this months outing cos the DJing talent on offer is yet again guaranteed to provide another night that is absolutely not to be missed.

First up we have the legendary RANK 1, famed for the ultimate classic ‘AIRWAVE’, and being responsible for tune upon tune that have mesmerized dancefloors across the globe for more than a decade, all we can say is expect goosebumps and plenty of them! With productions, DJ sets and live performances too numerous to mention at some of the biggest parties in the world, this iconic trance duo has literally helped shape trance as we know it. Prepare to be captivated by something destined to be truly memorable. Definitely one for the OTR archives.

Next up, and back by popular demand, one of the most exciting producers on the scene at the minute Mr John O’Callaghan. Highly regarded as one of the best DJs/Producers on the planet by the likes of PVD, ARMIN VAN BUUREN and TIESTO his rapid rise to fame has been nothing short of meteoric. If you were lucky enough to be in attendance for his last OTR performance expect more of the same. If not-you know what to do! ;-)

Guest DJ number 3 this month is yet another of the hottest properties in clubland right now, SIMON PATTERSON (DOGZILLA). With technical abilities finely tuned to flawlessly fuse elements of trance, techno and electronica, his driving, cutting edge style really will take you on a musical journey that will set your spine tingling! This guy is in high demand and we’re lucky enough to have him down here for your clubbing pleasure-don’t be the one to miss out, who knows when he’ll be back.

The final guest slot this month goes to the up and coming RAV TAKHAR. Fast becoming a clubbers favourite this Digital Society resident knows exactly what he is doing behind the decks and never fails to deliver. Improving with every set his increasing notoriety sees him destined for fame and fortune. He knows his tunes, he may well even know you (everybody knows Rav!) and he knows how to work a dancefloor. Nuff said!

Residents playing this month are THE ART OF NOISE who will no doubt deliver you more of their trademark ‘noise’ in a way only they know how. Driving basslines that will shake you to your very core are on the itinerary, but the final destination, who knows?!

See you at the front

OTR team
xx
 
OFF THE RAILS – 16TH May Review​
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Matt Hardwick, John Askew, Sean Tyas and Kryztow De Fier​

Leaving the concrete surroundings of Sheffield City centre, you are welcomed to the clubbing cocoon that is OFF THE RAILS. An intimate venue that focuses on the dance-floor, the crowd is a friendly mix of local clubbers and music enthusiasts. Gaining a reputation for a bubbling atmosphere, OFF THE RAILS brings fresh forward thinking DJ line ups together with high quality production.

Entering the Plug, you immediately find yourself engrossed in the music. Kryztow De Fier is warming things up quickly with some chunky cuts. The distinctive, ‘’Not Exactly’’ by Deadmau5, clips from the speaker; sounding crystal clear with its clean production. The mixing is tight with some nice key changes and tidy switches. After some more upbeat bangers, De Fier hands deck duties over to Sheffield favourite, Matt Hardwick.

Right from the off Hardwick immerses you in a seductive wave of warm melodies and solid beats. The flow is liquid smooth, expertly mixed with a continually building cadence. Robert Nickson’s "Never Again" (Nitrous Oxide) sweeps from the speaker, Elsa Hill’s soft vocal entwines with a summery melody. Glancing up, Hardwick smiles at the engaged clubbers, sensing the elation and anticipation as to where he will take his audience. He begins to lift the pace as Blank & Jones – ‘’Miracle Cure’’ (Martin Roth) consumes the crowd with its heavenly piano riff. The lasers spiral overhead, cutting through the smoke machine and bouncing off reflective surfaces. The screen above the dj booth projects an image of Hardwick, shadows mark out his silhouette as VJ Steve G paints a vibrant picture with visual effects. An array of lights flash a spectrum of colour across the bustling dance-floor.

Returning to the city of steel for the first time since Gatecrasher burnt down; you could tell Hardwick was glad to be back in Sheffield. Its familiar territory and he will always have that special connection with the local crowd. As he drops the emotive, Inertia ‘’The System’’ he looks out at the packed dance-floor to absorb some of the searing emotion. Paul Miller’s remix of Re:Locate feat Menno de Jong– ‘‘Spirit’’ captures the feeling, a euphoria induced lead melody, everyone happy glazed and focused on a single moment of existence. With an uplifting theme throughout, Hardwick’s set stimulated the buoyant atmosphere. Ending his set with the sublime, ‘’Good for Me’’ by Above & Beyond, the crowd show its appreciation, cheering and applauding Hardwick’s offering. He had this to say about his debut:

‘’Off The Rails is another terrific new night that gives me great hope for the future of the scene in the UK"


Following Hardwick was Discover luminary, John Askew for an extended 3hr debut set. One of the most respected and hard working on the UK scene, Askew is known for tearing clubs apart with his no-nonsense, bass driven sound. Immediately imprinting his signature on the night, he kicks off his set with some trademark pounding percussion. The snares and crisp hi-hats rattle from the speaker with a caustic kosh, as the bass line gallops along like brakeless freight train. Askew’s own rework of Michael Emery "Falling Into The Sun" goes down a storm as OFF THE RAILS enters the next chapter. Bryan Kearney’s tribute to Barry Connell, ‘’You will Never Be Forgotten’’ (Activa Mix) hits the spot as does, Andre Glensk’s "Monday Reflections". The upcoming release from Paul Miller & Fafaq ‘’Clause’’ means business, with an incredible build up and bass that grabs you by the balls. Askew mixes with military precision, cutting and blending tracks like an ‘A-la-kosh’ chef. Harmonious melodies punctuated by ground shuddering beats are dish of the day as Askew serves up his mind bending menu.
There is no messing about here, the crowd writhing around, temperature rising, hearts pounding as Askew launches yet another aural assault. Things take a darker shade of trance with DJ Choose’s ‘’Ghost Porn’’ and continues along that path with Askew’s chord rumbling ‘Fade to Black’. Another of John’s own productions, "Z List Uber Star" causes commotion, a feature from his forthcoming artist album which is due out in September. Drifting from euphoric breakdowns to thrashing techno, this is crisp, punchy, lights-down dance-floor music that serves our most primal instincts. Phasing from speaker to speaker, the fierce bass-line and thunderous kick drums create a frenetic groove, synths dancing in the background before sound waves soar to the forefront like a jet on take off. Having clearly weathered the crowd with a blazing set, Askew said:
"In the wake of so many of the big weekly super clubs shutting down, a few quality smaller nights have taken over as the most exciting things on the scene. Off the Rails has to be in the top 2 or 3 of that list in the UK. I absolutely loved my first gig there. There is something really mischievous about the crowd. They all seem to know eachother and as such there is a really cool and intimate family vibe going with all kinds of shenanigans going on in dark corners everywhere which just seems to increase the excitement and electricity. I bloody loved it!"
Following Askew’s 3hr session of beat therapy, it was clear Tyas had a job on his hands, maintaining the now frenzied atmosphere. Fortunately OFF THE RALS’ new quarterly resident had more than his fair share of dance filled dynamite up his sleeve. It was heading towards 5am at this point and the still rammed club was testament to Tyas’ ever growing fan base that had waited for his set all night. Opening with Sean’s recent collaboration with Armin, ‘’Intricacy’’ the exhilarating breakdown combines a wonderful piano hook with subtle pads and a bliss melody. Building to a vigorous bass-line, Tyas’ influence is clear, bringing his fever inducing sound to create a powerful club edge. His own solo production, ‘’Lift’’ does exactly that, elevating the crowd with its inspired riff, a tune that rinses any club at any time.
Rhythmically energetic and typically melodic in sound, Tyas proceeds to demolish the dance-floor with an enthralling selection of tunes. His new collaboration with Simon Patterson, ‘’Something’s Up’’ typifies with an enchanting piano lead before erupting into a seismic tech laced beat and raw spacey synths. Constantly hitting the crowd with toxic Tyas percussion, his charged remix of Nish ‘’Blue Sunshine’’ belts from the speaker. OFF THE RAILS continues to fizz, the bass shaking the foundations of the Plug. Treating the clubbers with a blast from the past, the Gouryella mix of ‘’Binary Finary’’ goes down well, the tune slaps a grin on faces all round as the emotional break-down creates a moment of serenity. Keeping with the classic theme, Art of Trance’s ‘’Madagascar’’(Richard Durand) sounds eminent alongside Sean’s special rework of Armin ‘’Going Wrong’’. Also well received the latest release from Solarstone ‘’4ever’’ peaks out in dance-floor brilliance. Nearing 6 am the still thronging crowd has clearly enjoyed Sean’s musical deliverance. He said after the gig:

‘’Having played for Off the Rails once before, I knew to expect a party that was second-to-none. And sure enough, I was proven beyond correct, because even up to 6AM, the place stayed packed and COMPLETELY electric. The thing I love most about the Sheffield clubbers is they are all ready to throw down, lose themselves in it, and truly enjoy the whole experience of the night, unconditionally. As it was the first night of my quarterly residency there, I am even more honored now that they brought me on board, because it's absolute madness!"

At 6am, the crowd not wanting to go home demanded more. There was room for a final few tracks and Greg Morris (Art of Noise) stepped up to drop Kearney’s mix of JOC ‘’Rotterdam’’. The rough techno tones fused with banging bass, ripped from the sound system providing a jolt to flagging limbs. Clinically mixed into Yves Deruyter’s ‘’Back to Earth’’, the quirky riff meeting an unforgiving bass-line. Ending on the euphoric, Med vs Neil Bamford – ‘’One’’, the tune a fitting conclusion to what has been a truly epic, OFF THE RAILS.

Words: Liam Postlethwaite
 
Not long now guys. im sure everyone remembers how amazing the last one was, even if it might be a bit hazy. Well rest assured you can expect more of the same this time. Once again the Off the Rails roof is gonna get raised in true OTR style. Make sure you join us all down at the Howard first for the perfect way to kick off the night!!!

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SET TIMES -

10:00 - 11:30 Rav Takhar
11:30 - 01:30 Rank1
01:30 - 03:00 John O'Callaghan
03:00 - 04:30 Simon Patterson
04:30 - 06:00 Art of Noise

See you all at the front x
 
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