For some years now the Flying Duck in Renfield Street has been opening its doors to a plethora of club nights serving up slices of indie, electronica, sixties, disco (and, notoriously, toast!) to happy punters. The newest addition to the roster is Hotwire, a night which, according to the flier, seeks to “Jumpstart your heart” with female-driven musical ventures, both in their choice of live bands and guest DJs, and in their playlist.
Opening on Valentine’s night, the club has seen the likes of Glasgow’s FO Machete, Manda Rin (ex-Bis) and Parisienne hipster Lisa Pop (This Is Pop) spinning the tunes; live performances have so far come from London’s Underground Railroad, Peter Parker, the tremendously entertaining Nanobots, and now this month Miss The Occupier and Evol will take to the stage.
Club promoters Mazzy Chaos, Peter Olum and Roz Occupier intended the club to have a female edge from its origins. “There seems to be a movement in the industry at the moment for music with a female slant, whether it’s the pop music of Gaga, Jessie J and Katy B, or the indie of Florence, Adele and The Gossip,” says Mazzy. Which is true, and with few other nights sharing this ethic (Lock Up Your Daughters is one that comes to mind) it seems the Hotwire kids may have captured a gap in the market.
The night runs every second Saturday of the month, and the aim is to mix it up a little, with live music some nights, guests others, but always with the Hotwire DJs playing the likes of Yeah Yeah Yeahs, Sleater-Kinney, Blondie, Bush Tetra, PJ Harvey, Sleigh Bells and so on. The vibe is hi-impact tunes to “make you dance like an epileptic dog!”, according to Mazzy, and keep the dancing going all night.“
Too many clubs seem to play music which, whilst it might be great, doesn’t seem intended to fill the dance floor, which I don’t really get,” Roz tells me. “I go to a club to hear amazing music turned up loud so I can dance, and, basically, that’s what we want to create.” Peter agrees: “It made sense to focus on music with a female orientation as that’s what we’re all into – we like to think of it as a re-Riot Grrl for Glasgow!”.
But don’t worry, the music policy isn’t too strict, and I’m promised that you will hear “bands with boys”: Les Savy Fav, Wire, Gang of Four, Arcade Fire – “anything that makes you dance, really!”
Similarly, the bands playing usually have a female member, whether she fronts or not. This month’s contenders both have female fronts: Miss The Occupier, sporting a new synth player (Stephen Leitch – Mazzy’s hubby!) promise to keep it loud, raucous and edgy; whilst support act Evol’s synth-based soundscapes (featuring the best drummer in Glasgow, I kid you not) will enthral.
Hotwire at The Flying Duck is monthly, every second Saturday.
Next up: July 16th, 11pm-3am feat. Miss The Occupier and Evol. Doors open 11pm, bands start 11.15pm, £5 in
For two bands on top of the tunes (and occasional cupcake treat!) this writer feels that’s not bad at all. See you on the dancefloor!