A lot of hard work, but ultimately a great experience

Liam & i have been working on getting an a.v set together all week with 3 am finishes most nights. Hard work but necessary as we were both using new technologies, and obviously wanted the launch to be something special, not least because Quantic was also on the bill (after a chance call from Adam asking if we could fit him and his new film into the night)

What was interesting to learn on a personal note (once again) that …

Since its inception in 2007, Mr Elephant has been on a steadily increasing diet of eclecticism, celebrating some of the best underground club nights, djs, vjs, live bands, dancers, performers and inhabitants that Birmingham has to offer. Now with 5 residencies all offering different slices of Birmingham’s nightlife, it seems appropriate to celebrate Mr Elephants success by sticking 2 candles in a cake to mark its second birthday, but on the 23rd May there was a whole lot more on the cards than our average birthday party…

Tony from The Lab who hosted vj workshops, vjed all night, and is to be producing Mr Elephant T.v has wrote his review of the Mr Elephant 2nd Birthday…

After 2 years and 14 events at 6 of our favourite Birmingham venues, the time has come to celebrate Mr Elephant’s 2nd birthday with our biggest festival style celebration to date, featuring lots of interactivity for all ages, the launch of Elephant Workshops in conjunction with Dramask, and the community based Elephant Tv project in partnership with The Lab.

Sat night was my first 5 hour set for the first of the Night Times Presents events at the Hare. and Hounds main room, and also the official Night Times awards party. We got certificates, there were no “I’d like to thank..” speeches (thankfully) and while it was a top night, i do today wish i’d have took my ear plugs!

Weird seeing my big face on a poster, but ultimately makes you put the work in and inspired us to try something new. (Photo by Dave Piper). So last week …

So this year started at the hare and hounds. A sold out gig and two rooms full of some of my favourite djs and wonderful friends…

Had a couple of really interesting djing gigs this weekend. One for Adam Regan hosting the Hare and Hounds back bar all night with Sam Redmore, and one from John Mostyn, hosting the Bham Opera After Party of King Idomoneo in a disused warehouse!

Both were really enjoyable gigs, but with noticeable differences (not just the venue). Friday i took Traktor scratch out, and musically  started with chilled stuff like Thievery Corporation, Kruder and Dorfmeister and Cinematic Orchestra. Then i took it into some dj food, quantic soul type business, then …

This weekend started with the gig at the Hare and Hounds. Giles Peterson was upstairs, and me and Sam Redmore were downstairs. I didnt get any time to check out Giles, as it was going off downstairs, but i bet it was good.

Here’s a little bit of the end of my set (before the Aphrodite/Bobby Mcferrin/Al Green/Nitin Sawhney encore)

This taken from our Mr Elephant website sums up just how much fun it was in that back bar on saturday! So many lovely people, and such a fantastic atmosphere, it was a really great djing experience, and we’re all really chuffed by how well received the room was.
“A massive shout to everyone who came into our room on saturday night at the aforementioned Longest Day Festival! It’s certainly fair to say that you (and the Mr Elephant djs and vj), created one of the most electric atmosphere’s ever seen …

To everyone who came to our first birthday bash! We are all quite amazed at the response, and just how much fun it was all weekend long. Here’s a quick rundown of the night for anyone who missed it….