Monday 11 July 2011

Those of us in Sheffield who are switched on to new and exciting things will know all about the latest rumblings in the city, the chatter on the social networks and forums and the hype that is building in our clubland.

Yes... clubbing in Sheffield is about to change forever... or rather, go back to the good old days.
 
On the last weekend of this month (29th & 30th July) the Republica Superclub opens its doors with everything that is missing in Sheffield. It’s a genuine Superclub with three rooms all themed slightly
differently to the last. No expense has been spared on the state of the art sound and light experience. It’s a club that is all about the music, the people, the clubbing lifestyle and it's set in luxurious surroundings. Rumour has it that two interior designers were flown in from Dubai to give it that wow factor decor and relaxed comfy seating. All that blends perfectly with pulsating dance floors and advanced DJ booths and sound systems.

So who should have the honour of setting up on the decks and playing to more than 2000 music lovers on the opening night? House Bandits’ own DJ Ben Cooper.

It’s been a long journey for Ben who started his DJ career playing off a laptop in a corner balanced on a speaker. “I got into DJing through Forge Radio”, Ben says. “I kept hassling the Union ENTs department for a slot anywhere and they gave me Tapton on a Friday night once a fortnight in October 2008. There weren't any decks so I had to arrive early and lug the speakers, mixing desk and amp into the corner of the bar and set it up, before plugging my laptop in and playing music off iTunes.”

Now in less than three weeks time, after three years of hard work, Ben will kick off his biggest gig to date. “I'm absolutely buzzing”, Ben says. “I was gutted when Gatecrasher burnt down a couple of months before I got to University and the city has been crying out ever since for another superclub. One of the guys heading up the new project used to DJ at the old Gatecrasher, so hopefully Republica can rise to the challenge.”

The newest addition to the clubbing circuit is not an overly exclusive venue where you’ll struggle to get in and spend an entire month’s pay on a round of drink.

Dave Henning from Eat My Disco, the venue's consultant company, explains: “We know Sheffield and its people so well because we want what they want - an amazing club that gives the best night in the city, without being too expensive.

“We'll be serving premium drinks from £2.50 on prime nights like Friday and Saturday. Then in the week (Tuesdays & Thursdays) you'll be able to get in, buy a round of drinks for four people and get a taxi home all for about £16.”

That’s not all, Republica holds one of the only genuine VIP rooms in Sheffield. It’s not a gimmick. It’s not a way of cramming people into a different queue or pushing them up against another bar. If you're lucky enough to be offered one of the platinum coloured VIP cards you will never queue, you will never pay to get in and you will be looked after by waiters and waitresses pouring you Grey Goose vodka, Krug Champagne and the best cocktails you've ever tasted.

So what to expect from the opening? “I've been given a rough idea of what to play,” Ben says. “It’s mainly House and Dance. But I'll also drop a couple of classics in as well... Anyone need a miracle?”

Republica opens in Sheffield on the weekend of 29th and 30th July. For a teaser, see the video below:

Monday 4 July 2011
After his success at Glastonbury last week Andi Durrant's clubbing season has officially kicked off.

Chris caught up with the three-time Sony Radio Academy Award winner and Capital FM presenter earlier in the year, to find out how to get into DJing and what's going to be big on the music scene in 2011.

The regular Nocturnal and Electrik Playground DJ also gives us a hint as to where he's jetting off to this summer.


Free Download

Josh Kerr has never graced the House Bandits' studio but that hasn't stopped him giving you the chance to download some of his own production.

No Superstar

Dowload Here


Tokyo Express - Kerr's Rewire

Dowload Here



DJ Dave Crane graced the House Bandits' studio on Friday 25th April and as a present he's giving you the chance to download some of his own production.

ExpandaD

Dowload Here


Mnml Dsc

Download here