Jungle Jam Presents: The Valve Sound System
Goldie, Dillinja, Lemon D,
Logistics b2b Nu:Tone, Hazard, N-Type
Mint Warehouse
Friday 19th October

Since opening their doors 9 months ago, Mint Warehouse has managed to deliver what it was aiming for, giving the people of Leeds the biggest names in whatever genre of club music takes their fancy, in one of the largest venues in the city. Unlike
Vox, Mint Warehouse focuses on the superstars of more accessible dance music, having previously brought in the likes of Nicolas Jaar, Maya Jane Coles, Four Tet and SBTRKT. And unlike the Union or the O2, Mint Warehouse still wants that edgy warehouse vibe (check the name duh).  They have successfully pursued this niche since their beginning, but with Canal Mills’ opening and their drafting in of Mr. Scruff, the Skreamizm tour and Metropolis events, it was time for Mint Warehouse to step up their game.

Bringing the famous Valve Soundsystem to Leeds for the first time in 2012 is one way of doing just that. As usual for Valve, the line-up was beautifully diverse, with N-Type headlining in Room 2 and a reggae focus in Room 3 tucked away across the smoking area. However, an overall focus on drum & bass was clear, and unsurprising considering that Valve was the first system designed expressly for the purpose of playing drum & bass. The bass was so abundant it was basically its own physical entity, especially during Lenzman’s smooth liquid DnB and Goldie’s brilliant headline set, with the vibrations echoing around the room and out into the bustling and noisy courtyard.

Though the sound was great and the subwoofers really added feeling to the music, earplugs were definitely a necessity and also a rip-off at 20p (it’s the principle of the thing!) Special mentions go to Logistics’ and Nu:Tone’s B2B set, who gave the set of the night after Goldie, cramming in myriad styles in a coherent way, including a trap remix of ‘Simon Says’, ‘Higher Ground’ by TNGHT, and a stunning new collaboration as a set closer. Despite the loudness and expensive drinks, Mint Warehouse is definitely working its way toward really cementing its place in the Leeds clubbing horizon. Canal Mills needs to step up.

words: Adam Chester