Unit 7 is in the heart of the deepest darkest East End, hidden away in a corner building, no surly bouncers on the door, and more so nobody to tell you exactly where the club is! After asking a few helpful passers-by, we noticed a hand-written sign on the wall claiming to be the entrance to Unit 7. This really was an underground venue!
A quick search upon going in by a couple of almost-friendly door staff, and we were finally in Unit 7. I was pleasantly surprised by the layout and the décor inside. The main room was a good size, that could easily hold 500 people, with the bar and toilets at the far end, and the DJ booth in the middle. The VIVA guys had really made an effort with the lighting too, and the dance floor was lit up by various funky cube lights and disco balls.
Our initial reactions were that the place was pretty empty. By 1am when we next ventured into the main room, the crowds had started to arrive, and the ever punctual Steve Lawler was already on the decks much to everyone's delight. I hadn't heard Lawler play in quite a few months and was hoping this would be a good one!
He didn't disappoint. It seemed the Steve Lawler of old was well and truly back. After a few luke-warm reviews of his previous performances, it seems the man once crowned the 'King of Space Ibiza' was out to prove a point. From the minute his fingers touched his CDJ's, he looked like he was loving playing back in a warehouse venue. He had promised a night just like the old days, and he didnt disappoint. He played a great mix of bouncy, electro house, with the odd classic thrown in for good measure. The crowd were loving every minute of it, and everyone went crazy when he played a mix of X-Press 2's 'Muzikizum'. Lawler as always looked cool and collected throughout the whole set, despite adoring fans hanging over the DJ booth watching his every mix.
Of the times I've seen Steve Lawler DJ, this was definitely the most relaxed I'd seen him. He started out his career playing in warehouse parties, and he definitely looks at home here.
Although he was billed to play a six hour set, he finished early at 5am, and pretty soon after he left, the crowd started to disperse and I headed back into the second room to check out some of the Issst DJ's. These boys certainly know how to rock a party, and this smaller room was heaving when I went in, with the majority of people squashed onto the small dance floor.
After a quick half an hour boogie in here, my legs were telling me it was time to go. We grabbed our coats from the cloakroom (no queue) and made our way outside where we jumped straight in a waiting cab. We pulled away listening to the sounds of the second room, still going strong at 5.30am.
All in all, a great night out. Unit 7 is a brilliant venue, I only wish I'd discovered it sooner. It's clean, spacious, well-run and still has that underground feel that so many of the big clubs have lost today. With the closure of many of London's tried and tested nightclubs (Turnmills, The Cross etc) it is exciting to see new clubbing venues popping up on flyer's now. Some people said the club closures could signal the end of clubbing in London as we know it today. Judging by the success of 'VIVA', I'd say a new era is just beginning.
article by: Becki Harradence
published: 26/02/2008 16:33
FUTURE GIGS
sorry, we currently have no gigs listed for this act.