eager techno loving Muscovites and
through a candlelit tunnel that opens up
into a vast main room. We are plunged
into the darkness and swept through a
throng of early peaking sweaty bodies
rocking out to the deep and techy grooves
emanating from the Funktion One
soundsystem. A quick glance at the
elevated DJ booth informs us that
tonight’s special attraction, Steve Lawler,
is the perpetrator of the slick techno that
washes all around us and we head through
the club on a mission to explore.
Quite unlike anywhere in the UK, Arma 17
resembles a gothic fairytale tavern
crossed with a lavish and sumptuous
countryside lodge. The whole structure is
made of rough brickwork inter-wound
with dark timber slats. Speakers hang
Midlander and label buddy Jimmy Hill. bottlenecking in front of the venue. The down in packs above the dancefl oor
So following a few glasses of wonderfully bass gets clearer as the imposing spraying out crisp clear beats on the
pure Russian vodka, we head full-pelt structure stands ahead of us and the area uneven concrete fl oor. Look up and the
along the 10-lane roads that intersect the surrounding the club is not unlike ceiling disappears into the distance as the
city en route to the venue. Huge Stalinist London’s sorely missed Kings Cross Goods spiralling timber reaches a perfect central
architecture sweeps up either side and Yard, the right blend of desolate skeletal point.
although it’s 1.30am, the streets are structures, limited lighting and a sense of Cutting round to the left of Lawler’s DJ
bustling with cars, lights and Soviet spirit. hidden industrialism adding to the booth takes us into the VIP section, which
A sudden turn off the main street and we adventure in the air. tellingly takes up half the space of the
fi nd ourselves immersed in another world club. In Moscow anyone who can pay is a
altogether. Gone are the grand buildings, Arma 17 stands in front of us, imposing VIP, which results in a defi nite sense of
neon lights and pulsating traffi c, instead and industrial, a symbolic structure once stratifi cation throughout the venue. The
replaced by a gravel road, a jam of used to store a fuel that has enriched the dancefl oor and the VIP feel like two
beeping horns and the faintest rumbling Russian nation, now full of those who are different clubs but at least the
J
AMIE SIMONDS
of a bassline in the distance. Excited, we profi ting from this wealth. atmosphere on both sides of the velvet
pics: hop out and skip past the queue of cars Our host whisks us past the queue of rope is electric and infectious.
Finding space on the dancefl oor we see
out Lawler’s solid selection of heads-down
percussive tribal infused house and warm
emotive techno. It’s a slow and steady
MOSCOW
build up that keeps the friendly crowd
brimming and bubbling. There’s plenty of
FAST FACTS
wide basslines in a set imbued with
immaculate fl ow from the terrace king Moscow is the largest city in
and Viva main man, Lawler climaxing with Europe and one of the largest
the awesome acid drenched tones of urban areas on the planet but
Plastikman’s seminal remix of Xpress 2’s has a population so dense that
‘Rock 2 House’. It’s a fi ne and fi tting end over 8000 people fi ll every km.
to a great set from Lawler, who steps
down and passes the baton to boy/girl It is home to more billionaires
double act Abelle & Beekeeper. than anywhere else in the
The Russians and USOM residents step world yet the average income is
things up a gear from the get go. It’s no just $375 per month.
mean feat to follow a man of Lawler’s
stature, but the local residents know their Moscow has twice won the
crowd and take the bull by the horns with ‘accolade’ for ‘World’s Most
some fi ring heavyweight techno, forceful Expensive City’.
basslines and more squelchy acid to ring
in the 7am morning call. Cheers from the The Moscow Ritz is the most
appreciative Russian crowd echo around expensive hotel in the world —
the building as the lights come up. we didn’t stay there!
But the Arma 17 and the USOM gang don’t
do ‘home-time’ like most clubs. The decks Moscow’s metro is glorious and
are quickly moved to a new booth in the unique with each station
VIP area and comrade Lawler plugs in painstakingly designed and
Serrato and kicks right back in where we built by a different architect.
left off. The clubbers left on the The beauty and individuality of
dancefl oor are summoned round to the these buildings make them a
‘new club’ and the whole place goes off all tourist attraction in
over again. And again. And again. themselves.
SIMON KELLY
www.djmag.com
167
DJ467.AAA_Moscow.indd 167 14/10/08 16:43:32
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