Set One Twenty first cruised onto the Leeds scene with two boat parties in May and September 2012, and it was soon apparent that the new night had a following firmly in place even before its launch at DJ Mag’s Best Small Club winner, The Garage. When The Garage first opened its doors to these fresh-faced, disco-loving Set One Twenty attendees back in September last year, with an appearance from Moon Boots, it seemed like the intimate and award-winning venue might become inextricably linked to this new, once-monthly night. But whilst the heart of Set One Twenty might lie firmly behind the classic car bonnet decks of room one, 2013 has been a year that has seen the crew expand their repertoire somewhat, along with the frequency of their nights. By co-running a stage at this year’s MiNT festival and hosting the incredible French Express showcase that took place under the glittering ceiling of MiNT Club last Saturday, the Set One Twenty boys have confirmed the devotion of hundreds of Leeds fans.
Isaac Tichauer is a fan too, it seems, reckoning that “Set One Twenty at MiNT Club is basically a dream combination when it comes to bookings: a great promotion team and an incredible venue.” Isaac is “always blown away by how receptive people are to the French Express sound in Leeds,” admitting that he has “been raving on to Jonas about it since my show in February, pleased that he could experience it for himself.”
On Wednesday 16th October, over a year on from the launch night, swathes of slightly less fresh-faced looking Set One Twenty devotees are back again in a packed out The Garage; they are here to enjoy Outboxx, followed by Maribou State and Leeds-based duo Wayward. After a night of uplifting sets at MiNT club last weekend – which included a snippet of Isaac Tichauer’s self-proclaimed “dark pleasure”, Gala’s Freed From Desire – it is interesting to see the crowd back once again at Set One Twenty’s birthplace.
Outboxx warmed us up with a funky, carnivally set that was followed nicely by Maribou State’s more chilled mixing. A highlight, of course, was his remix of Fat Boy Slim’s Praise You, which enticed all the girls out of a never-diminishing queue for the toilets and back onto the dance floor. Wayward’s impressive set closed with their popular, timeless-sounding remix of John Newman’s Cheating; as the lights came up to reveal smiling faces all round, it was clear that despite Set One Twenty becoming an expanding venture which will enjoy another night at MiNT on November 9th, The Garage remains a venue which perfectly encapsulates the soul of the movement.
For Michael McMahon and Nadeem Unwin, the brand pioneers, The Garage is unarguably the home of Set One Twenty, “but it’s good to see that the brand can be carried onto different venues.” The boys are “incredibly excited for the November 9th show with Kyle Hall, Leon Vynehall and A1 Bassline,” a line-up which they anticipate has “surprised a few people,” but they do want their bookings to keep everyone on their toes. Watch this space.
Words By: Rebecca Iszatt