Review of Paris and London Nightlife

A souvenir I have from Istitklal's effervescence, a famous avenue in Istanbul, and its crowded streets, lights and music, cosy bars, backgammon players, shishas, a real diversity and social life far from the cold North and its austerity. This image is fascinating and make us wonder what is so different here in London and Paris. 

Paris is getting more gentrified, popular culture has vanished from the streets at night, and most of the Parisians gather up in their own customs, afraid to share a smile with strangers. Someone working in the night life industry asserted me how people were staying in their communities;  each will stand for its taste and preferences, despising what in the end he doesn't try to understand. 

In Paris, alternative is promoted. Though less mediated, there is an audience for everything. So they all build up their program, and open  scenes, away from the others. You can find amazing space such as the Bellevilloise in North Paris, huge building made of several floors, containing a club, a restaurant, a forum and other opened spaces for culture. The Point Éphémère, an artistic lounge concept, is facing the canal St-Martin (incredible in summer), propose gigs with famous artist (such as Cunninlinguist), an art gallery and a restaurant. Paris doesn't lack interesting place to go, and even if cooperation between nightlife actors exist, it is essentially about social mixing, and how parisians lack of endeavor and courage to meet the unknown. 

But lets be fair, Paris is also about intimacy and it is hard not to feel at home when pacing the city. On that occasion I would recommend to be in Paris every 21st of June, probably the best night in the whole year.

Across the channel, London is a very liberal megalopolis, its economic boom urged a huge demand, offering a vast array of services. A rich landscape is built, made off a bunch of brands and lifestyle you can find back in roughly all areas. Everything follows the mainstream, few is allowed for alternative (though a lot can be found if looked properly).

Globalized trends, plurality of choices, quantity and sometime quality, what is shown doesn't not entirely reflect what is actually available, too little space is made for what is less profitable.

Culture is great if diversified, and opened to everyone, London doesn't show everything, but open its doors to the most (even if it a matter of profit). The result is much more impressive: a real conviviality, easing relationship, and good heart.

Shall we wait for summer?

From Shoreditch to Brick Lane

Shoreditch is not very big. Lively and quiet, its enchanting streets makes us forget creative industries are brainstorming new projects just upon us. New lifestyle, niceties and concerns. There is a real linearity throughout commerces and companies. Though, its youth share sometimes a too commodified environment, stifling creativity, diffusing homogeneity. But imagination frees itself further; on our way to Whitechapel, two djembe men playing aside of Shoreditch hight street tube station, just under the rail bridge. Graffitis, deserted streets, construction sites, lonely pubs, a terrific charm overhang area; when the city is humanized by arts and chase away dullness.

Few blocks later Brick Lane (they changed the pavement, there is no more bricks dressing that street's route). One's can only be amazed by its richness, its restaurants, a singular and famous bagel shop, cosy bars (I think about the Casa Blue at the top of the lane), a charming furniture depot opened randomly, though filled with curious and superb old school jukebox.
Not entirely spoiled by fashion shops, though intimate and sober in their way, you can also find a nice boutique renting movies from the 50's to more recent ones, holywood's best successes, 'nouvelle vague', and other films. Just on the other sidewalk, Brick lane's bookshop, generously promoting east London history and group lectures. Not to mention the old truman brewery, cradle of the sunday up market, and its lively parties and gathering. It mixes this community feeling with all the pleasure of liberty, respectable and opened to sharing.


About venues you definitely need to check carefully what is going on, here a good website

You can find many good artists, gigs and rave, a large and diversified music scene, street band, hip hop and electronic music. Amongst this impressive flows of rhythm: Roots Manuva, 

A night in Dalston

Dalston has a pretty nice nightlife on a saturday night. Crowded places, tricked bouncers, half an hour queue and of course a large part of funny time. The area is certainly vivid enough to consider it as one of the most exciting places in London. There is always a chance to find a gig or a booming party in its great many clubs.

Still, it always seems the offer remains ordinary from a place to another, maybe because it relies too few on the quality of their events. Spotless if you are looking for a warm ambience, small decor and respectable music, you might be disappointed by a lack of identity spreading out of its more obvious clubs. In the end their great numbers only seems to hide their lack of diversity (should I refer to their names, one of them being "Bar 512").

Compare it to Shoreditch or Brick Lane and you start seeing some contradictions, lacks of meaning and hence of identity (I'll go further on those areas and the East end later). I won't deny the good time you can have as I'll probably go back there with some friends again. Still, I try to hightlight the little cultural interest that make this place not as spectacular as it could be, and probably not memorable.

An aside: Trip in Brighton

Let's have a break and fly to Brighton for a single afternoon. Though a little rain bother us on our way to the coast, we are welcome by a delicious sunshine and a windy weather. 

What is Brighton for a Londoner? Maybe a one-day escape trip, filled with happiness in the heart, and probably an emptiness in your wallet. You may run from a pub to another, listen to these young bands, always playing at the most appropriate time, you will end up at the Pier. Gracefully they put a cash machine at the top so that you can manage the way back to the train station.

Now let's talk about the pubs: they have an amazing atmosphere: music, pop rock band, vintage posters and crazy looking bartenders, far from the austerity you might feel in those in London (I mean the decoration), they breath youth and life, a very good cocktail.

Next to a crackling fireplace, and a pint of the finest lager (or a glass of red wine),  it is essential to remember how to get back home... without stopping at the next pub!

Upcoming events!

Upcoming events in March, great deal as we shall see!

First event organized by The Playground the 24th March at KOKO. It will host Kavinsky, well known recently thanks to its song Nightcall: 

The song was in the movie Drive, amazing picture released last October (a must see to those who haven't hear about it). The event will also host Breakbot from the label Ed Banger; They are part of the recent french touch electro emphasizing an revived 80's music style, much in vogue across the Channel!

Other cool artists will intend the show such as Feadz. In the end, good electronic artists who are worth the ticket! Here for more information: http://www.theplayground.co.uk/events/event_list.php?itemID=99-2

Same place but later this year, Parov Stelar will perform a set the 31st May. Austrian electronic producer, well known for its jazz samples, and what samples! 

Hopefully you will be delighted to hear about these concerts, if so don't miss them!

Justice at the O2 Academy

Justice played at the O2 Academy a week ago (friday 10th). The famous venue is a former cinema built in 1929. Beautiful place made of  Art Deco style, singular due to its hemispherical roof at the front and a "trompe-l'oeil" decor all around the main stage), just like the Rex Cinema in Paris.

The place was incredible and had a really sweet atmosphere, though I would say this venue was not ideal for such kind of music (too  much resonance and reverb).

But what the about the gig? Well its Justice, mean mind-blowing, and visually impressive. Though it is far from shows like those form Amon Tobin, it is still incredible, playing on visual codes that are extremely appealing.

The white cross, the Marshall monitors, and the fake old fashioned computer with its thousands  retro colored styled LEDS have something to do with another well known band: Daft Punk. Indeed Justice's label CEO is Busy P, former manager of Daft Punk!

Well staged managed, and sometime psychedelic (what a feeling when they played Stress followed by the red lights!), the show was incredible though maybe too short, and maybe too orchestrated. Anyhow more than just a concert, simply a great show.

This week's note

This week's note:

What a great happening this saturday night; slowly falling down over London, silent but still wonderful, this amazing mantle of snow made me think that Winter is still magical. I can understand it can be discouraging to some, but to me I believe it is some sort of inspiration, a sharp contrast with a summer that is sometimes too sweet, a cold snap that wakes up our sleeping senses.

And what a snap it was Nicolas Jaar's venue last Thursday, brilliant and refreshing (should I remind you that he is only 21!), his performance made the show incredible. the gig happened in the Roundhouse near Camden, followed by a set from Soul Keita as well as Acid Pauli (still very good).

I invite you to visit Nicolas Jaar's official website: http://www.nicolasjaar.net and find out more about his tunes.


As for me, I recommend this song from Stimmings (2009), to those who like minimal music!