Club Previews

Kölsch

Growing up between Copenhagen’s hippie paradise Christiania and his grandparents’ rather more conventional set up in Germany, techno producer Kölsch never really had a chance to fit in. As a kid he created his own imaginary worlds, and after releasing his acclaimed debut album 1977 (named after the year of his birth) said he took inspiration from “these weird ideas and concepts I had on my mind at the time.” Its follow up, 1983, features a classical piano-inflected tech-house tune called Die Anderen, which translates to The Other, so you get the feeling he’s still working through some of those issues from his childhood even as he approaches his 40s.

Like the tunes on Jamie xx’s In Colour, the year’s biggest dance record, Kölsch’s productions are laced with melancholy. But dancing to them in a big room is the best kind of therapy. There are few dance artists with Kölsch’s emotional intelligence, and few opportunities to see them live in a venue like SWG3. Embrace the sadness by submerging yourself in this beautiful, hypnotic music and you might just leave the dancefloor a changed person.

On Saturday, an extended three-hour set from UK house and techno don Steve Lawler caps off a showcase for his VIVa Music imprint. The veteran producer’s VIVa Warriors parties in Ibiza are notorious for kicking off, and with Lawler indicating a desire to cut down on his touring schedule earlier this year it might be that appearances this intimate become few and far between. A chance to witness a British legend at the peak of his powers in a relatively small room? Grab it with both hands.

• Kölsch, tomorrow, SWG3, 10pm – 3am, £15

• Steve Lawler, Saturday, SWG3, 10pm – 3am, £15

Bosh!

A career spent headlining the world’s biggest dance venues has made Eddie Halliwell one of the genre’s most legendary figures. In 2002, as he was about to hit the peak of his fame, the Wigan DJ dropped a free CD, “Bosh! 12 Sizzling Bangers,” which was released free on the cover of Mixmag. The mix captured the sound of the era perfectly, and has gone on to achieve near-mythical status: copies change hands on eBay for literally tens of pounds. This tour is a throwback to those heady days of the early noughties, for those who experienced it first-hand – and those who wish they did. Expect a fierce session of banging hard house, with support from Alex Dei Stefano, Jordan Suckley and a Zoom Room headlined by local boy David Ferguson.

• Bosh! With Eddie Halliwell, Saturday, O2 Academy, 8pm – 3am, £25

Vicious Creatures

Releasing the best in French electronic music since 2003, Paris’ Ed Banger Records has been the home of Justice, Mr. Oizo, Uffie and the late DJ Medhi. All have been iconic names throughout the noughties and none would have been brought to the world’s attention if it wasn’t for Busy P. The Frenchman - also known as Pedro Winter - appears at Vicious Creatures’ Christmas party tonight, playing his distinctive Gallic electro house in abundance. The party continues tomorrow night, when the hard-working German techno man Butch takes the reins at Sensu. The highlight of the Subbie’s week comes on Wednesday, though, when their annual Let Your Elf Go party. The lineup is a who’s who of the club’s residents, with representatives from Sensu, Pro Vinylist Karim, Sub Rosa and I AM. It’s free, but all donations go to the Yorkhill Children’s Charity and the Southern General Ward 61 Equipment Fund. Only a Grinch would party elsewhere.

• Vicious Creatures Christmas Special, tonight, Sub Club, 11pm – 4am, £8

• Butch, tomorrow, Sub Club, 11pm – 4am, £8

• Let Your Elf Go, Wednesday, Sub Club, 10pm – 4am, free

Green Door’s 8th Birthday

Happy Meals, Seconds, The Junto Club and Sweaty Palms are among the lineup at The Old Hairdressers tomorrow night, as the West End’s Green Door Studio celebrates its 8th birthday. Dale of The Amazing Snakeheads will be spinning shouty, weird psych tunes until late, and there’s a free mix CD for the first 100 guests. Then on Saturday, the Push it DJs are joined by Flore de Hoog and Natasha Radical at TYCI’s Ladysounds Christmas party. Yas!

• Green Door Studio’s 8th Birthday Party, tomorrow, The Old Hairdressers, 9pm – 2am, free

• TYCI’s Ladysounds Christmas Dance Party, Saturday, Stereo, 11.30pm – 3am, £tbc