New Bohemia: Soundwave launch party

The Faversham 26/02/2010

By Monique Hall

The Fav became awash with summertime hopes and dreams last Friday, as the Soundwave launch party kicked off at the renowned venue. To say the night was busy would be an utter understatement; tickets sold out for the event well early on in the day. The New Bohemia event marked the debut of one of the most hotly anticipated acts of 2010 in Leeds; I am of course speaking about Joy Orbison, the 22 year old from Croydon who has been infecting people with his soft and poignant dance music. His music has been described as a ‘lovingly-crafted late-night evolution of house and UK garage’, and I found it quite frankly sick, just enough to make me dance but also a very it possesses a very eerie mellow sound. On a similar music vein preceding Orbison was Floating Points, whose music has been placed somewhere between Flying Lotus and Daft Punk. FP also managed to conduct a good set, managing to increase the summer and festival buzz evident in the little pub.

I always enjoy the vibe of a New Bohemia night, however this one especially so, which was no doubt a combination of everyone’s excitement at seeing Joy Orbison and the anticipation of what looks set to be a fantastic summer festival. One downside of the night was that Coki didn’t turn up, however this didn’t particularly detract away from the night, proving how much of a corker it was. The Bash Out provided the entertainment for room two, which took residence in the ‘sofa room’ adjacent to the conservatory. If we were to equate the music playing on the night to variations of Nando’s spiciness then room one was Lemon & Herb whilst room two was a definite Hot sauce as the Bash out DJ’s played dubstep and jump-up to a very ‘on it’ crowd.

The night certainly persuaded me to buy a Soundwave ticket which will be situated in Zadar,  Croatia ‘on the beach, in the sunshine’. Expect floaty, ethereal and vibes music from this hidden gem of a festival, mixed with funk and dance from the likes of Toddla T, DJ Vadim, DJ Format and Bullion. Friday proved a thorough banger of a night and to me definitely echoed that little bit of summer hope that seems to be breeding in Leeds at the minute as it slowly gets lighter and we move into Spring. Looks like I’ll be seeing you in Croatia kids….