Club-wise, Ibiza is on sabbatical now until early May 2020, with the exception of some pretty cool off-season parties. However, its influence continues elsewhere in the world.
During the cool season, we bring you club reviews from Ibiza favourites at other party destinations from around the globe.
After checking out a pair of cavernous warehouse spaces on our last two jaunts, it was time to return to more intimate club settings. Club Chemistry in Canterbury would be next on the agenda as Toolroom Records rode into town on a crisp Autumn night.
Canterbury | Kent | 16 November 2019
Heading out of our comfort zone, we found ourselves at Club Chemistry in Canterbury, Kent. Much like Ibiza, the city boasts its own UNESCO World Heritage Site, a status its historic Middle Age cathedral shares with Dalt Vila.
Today, Canterbury retains the charm of its past whilst being a thriving modern university city. Its large student populous means that there is always something going on, no matter which night of the week.
For that same reason, more often than not you will find nights featuring heavily-discounted drinks and cheesy music policies throughout the week. Thankfully, an event with more substance will rear its head every now and then.
Last Saturday was one such party, as CT Fest invited Toolroom down the M2 motorway for a club takeover.
After high-profile shows at Madrid's Fabrik, London-base Studio 338 and a homecoming gig in the label's backyard, Canterbury represented a more modest stop for the Toolroom express.
Not that you could tell judging by the line-up. Three of the standout stars of this summer's Ibiza campaign would be in attendance, in the shape of Maxinne, Illyus & Barrientos and Leftwing:Kody.
The bill showed Toolroom was not taking this latest pit stop lightly. This is Toolroom heartland, after all. Kent being the label's home county.
Upon arrival, ingress was regimented but courteous and slick. Downstairs, orb-like lanterns hung above the bar and a tree decorated in fuchsia fairy lights greeted us. A DJ spun mainstream house cuts, but we assumed the main action to be elsewhere.
Ascending several flights of stairs, we went up two further storeys, uncertain if we were heading anywhere but a roof terrace. Eventually we reached the loft of the venue. Decked out in Toolroom paraphernalia, the upper floor was unmistakably where we were supposed to be.
Like any true student affair, a diverse crowd was in attendance with some attendees dressed to the nines while others went for casual attire and Converse.
To begin, we were treated to a cameo from guerilla streaming sensation SUAT on warm-up duties. Deploying his trademark shoulder roll and a barrage of groovy tunes, the DIY cheekster would hand over to Maxinne.
Maxinne | 23:00 - 00:00
Playing a special birthday set, Maxinne was the first headliner to take to the decks. A belle of this summer's Ibiza campaign, our heroine arrived in Kent with a lot of momentum behind her. Her job on the night was simple: get the crowd into the groove. Made easier by the fresh-faced youngsters desire to get down.
It would be a fleeting visit for Maxinne, as a second set of the night beckoned supporting Klingande at Ministry Of Sound in London. Time for a clatter of flutes and a rendition of Happy Birthday in the VIP, but sadly no time for cake.
Maxinne has selected and mixed the Best Of Toolroom 2019, released yesterday and available to purchase now.
HAPPY BIRTHDAY MAXINNE!
Illyus & Barrientos | 00:00 - 02:00
Next-up would be Glaswegian dynamos Illyus & Barrientos. The duo wasted little time in taking things to a higher tempo. Records with familiar vocal samples featured heavily. We heard reworked versions of O.D.B and Kelis, Temperature by Sean Paul and TLC's Creep.
By this point, the dance floor had swelled as we neared peak time. Taking control of proceedings, Illyus & Barrientos steered us through a succession of tracks from fellow Toolroom alumni. The night might've been in danger of peaking too early, but the boys left daylight for their successor.
Leftwing:Kody | 02:00 - 04:00
Chris “Kody” Adie would be the last of the guest DJs to take the reins. By this stage, the crowd had thrown caution to the wind and were engaging in some vigorous dance floor displays. Inflatable beach balls were let loose and promo girls handed out Toolroom merch.
Arguably, it was the Leftwing:Kody project who were behind the Toolroom's biggest 2019 hit. Those studio skills were again on display here, as Adie took Club Chemistry to new heights and sent us home on a high.
Saturday night clubbing for less than £10.00 admission and reasonable prices behind the bar. You can't say fairer than that. Canterbury's dance music fans are the winners.
Coming up, CT Fest invites Skepsis to Club Chemistry on 30 November, returning to house music a week later with Sonny Fodera.
Where next for Toolroom? Mark Knight and his label pals fly into Los Angeles on the United States West Coast this weekend, while a return to Berlin has also been teased. UK fans can also catch Mark bringing in the New Year at Egg LDN on 31 December.
However, we're much more concerned about the possibility of a return to Ibiza next year. Set to build on the foundations laid this summer, early signs point to a presence on the white isle in 2020.
For the time being, we'll have to make do with reliving the 17-weeks that Toolroom set-up shop at Eden. As for the future, like Mark says, watch this space!
For an in depth analysis of Ibiza 2019, read our full season review. During the interim, we'll be bringing you more Ibiza worldwide reviews from the UK and beyond in the coming weeks.
