Clubs

CLUB OF THE WEEK: 
Compakt @ Cabaret Voltaire

DRESS CODE: It's a techno night - jeans and trainers 

MUSIC: Techno and electro

DJs: Paul Thomas and Bruno FK with guests (Gary Beck headlining September)

Compakt, takes place the third Friday of the month, bi-monthly. Like many of the best underground club nights, it starts intimate and grows to the point that it's hard not to sit up and take notice. DJ / Promoter Paul Thomas has been busy bringing the crème de la crème of local talent to Cab Vol where they mix it up with the pioneers of the techno scene. His mission? Bring techno back to Edinburgh.

Par Grindvik made an auspicious appearance as their first guest head liner on 12th September 2008. Each subsequent DJing legend has proved why they are still the innovators of the scene, including captivating live performances from Hans Bouffmyhre, Robert Babicz, Phil Kieran and  most  recently - the mighty Joey Beltram. Who can forget the tune that changed it all (for the better),  Energy Flash. A tune that even my mates who have temporarily all but hung up their dancing trainers still carry on their i-pods in case of a techno emergency ...  and there's been a few.

It's not all about the headlining act though, as Thomas has pulled together Edinburgh's finest talents, Kapital's Brad Charters and Barry O'Connell, Jamie McKenzie, Ewan Smith and Chris Graham of Souloco and Musika and Pyz, Al Majik and new kid on the block DJ  Phase, all bring anything from minimal to dub-step and wonky electro.

The success of the night is in no little way down to the venue which  is perfect for Compakt. Cabaret Voltaire, is known for housing a number of quality club nights. Dark, cavernous and tomblike, it's ideal. Is the sort of club  in which playing dirty techno to a room packed full of hungry clubbers can only mean one thing... the two Bs  -  blinding and  banging!

Be warned  however, Cab  Vol is always heaving, with a massive queue all the way down Blair Street, but once inside, you'll be transported to a stone bunker made for techno and you'll love it.

The next Compakt night is in September, the second birthday. Thomas has ensured it will be a night worth remembering as one of Soma's young guns takes the lead, Gary Beck. If you fancy a preview of the night check out our first guest pod cast by Paul Thomas as he treats us to a thunderous techno set: www.edinburghnews.com/clubs

Compakt, Cabaret Voltaire, Blair Street,  11pm-3am 0131-220-6176


Words: Grant Paterson
Picture: Complimentary