Club Previews

Prins Thomas

Every week I see at least one new article about the death of British nightclub culture. Like premature obituaries, they lament the disappearance our nightlife. They talk about the inevitability of it all, how nothing can stop the epidemic that is shutting our clubs at a rate of one every month. Everything is contributing to the demise of the disco industry: the authorities, gentrification, festivals, pubs – even the big clubs and the way they hoover up the smaller clubs’ crowds.

All of these are valid points, but there’s just one issue: nobody seems to have told anyone in Glasgow. The high-profile (not to mention farcical) shuttering of The Arches has been the only major loss to the city’s club scene in recent times, and this weekend’s overflowing schedule of late-night activity is another slap in the face to the idea that our clubs are an endangered species.

Look no further than the Subbie for evidence that clubbing is alive and well, in these parts at least. On Saturday, the evergreen house night Subculture has Norwegian producer Prins Thomas headlining. Whether working solo or with frequent collaborator Lindstrøm, Thomas pumps out the kind of pulsating and lengthy astral funk jams that take packed dancefloors on interstellar voyages.

His latest album, Principe Del Norte, was released in February. It’s a strange one: it contains less of the groove-heavy cosmic disco that was once his calling card, and more shimmering, ambient synth pieces that wouldn’t particularly work in the club. To get the most out of Principe Del Norte, Its creator recommends that you “find center position in front of your speakers, a comfortable couch or chair and dedicate yourself to the music for a long hour.” But the album’s climax - a 28-minute flurry of minor-chord grooves and gurgling, minimal techno-y bass synth – is stunning, and should be experienced live.

On Wednesday, the club welcomes hometown hero Jackmaster (yes, again) as he headlines the launch of nearby Subzero Studios. This groundbreaking new creative hub, on the corner of St. Enoch Square, is the first of its kind in the UK. Combining barbering, tattooing, photography and music, its noble aim is to bring “a new wave of artistry to the streets” of the city. With the notorious Rubadub Records through the wall, it provides another City Centre hub for creatives to congregate, collaborate, and get their hair cut at the same time. And with familiar names like Jackmaster, Animal Farm and Richie Martin on board for the launch party, the studio is coming into the world with a bang. Get down, if even just to catch Jackmaster for the bargain-basement price of a fiver.

• Prins Thomas, Saturday, Sub Club, 11pm – 3am, £10

• Subzero Studios Launch Party with Jackmaster, Wednesday, Sub Club, 11pm – 3am, £5

Jamie Jones

A fascinating insight into the creative process came in a recent interview with Jamie Jones. “I named the song ‘Land of The Giants’ because I just imagined some huge giants getting down at a house party in their giant world,” he told Billboard last month. “Once I did the beat, I asked my little brother’s new indie project, Hero Twins, to do the vocal. That’s my little bro singing. Proud!”

Touted by many as the new sound of house music, Jones returns to Glasgow tomorrow for a special extended set at SWG3. The boss of the ultra-hip label Hot Creations is something of a global superstar these days – having dropped a couple of EPs (Illicit Behaviour in March and Land of the Giants in April) in recent weeks, he’ll spend the summer headlining festivals across Europe and North America. If his newest work is anything to go by, those enormous festival crowds will be treated to some envelope-pushing stuff: thumping layers of electronic noise goes toe-to-toe with sweeping orchestral flourishes and fat, distorted basslines. Perhaps that “Land of the Giants” title will garner a bit more meaning as the summer goes on.

• Jamie Jones, tomorrow, SWG3, 9pm – 2am, £25

Southside Fringe Festival Launch

Since The Rum Shack opened last year, I’ve lost far too many nights to its winning combo of reggae and Caribbean liquor. Now it looks like I’m going to lose another. The South Side’s coolest venue is the setting for the neighbourhood’s Fringe Festival launch party tomorrow night. There promises to be “speed-folk punk shanties” from The Trongate Rum Riots, “sinister sounds” from Joe Bone & the Dark Vibes, and DJs spinning dub and roots until late.

• Southside Fringe Festival Launch, tomorrow, The Rum Shack, 7.30pm – late, £8