Photo: Deep Grooves

Following the likes of Flashmob, Dale Howard and Infinity Ink, who all featured at PRISM events last year, Sidney Charles seemed to be a lesser known name in the house scene. However, with support from Leeds’ very own Josh Butler, who also had a hugely successful year in 2013, Sidney Charles looked set to do the business in the intimately packed Mint Club.

However, as observed at other weekend events at The Warehouse and even Beaverworks, there is an increase of older high heel wearing attendees at nights on the weekend in comparison to the student events that you’d expect to be populating these nights. Mint Club being particularly hot and crowded, this had an adverse effect on the crowd, irritating the 30 year old’s causing many disagreements which is never good while trying to enjoy the sounds of any DJ.

Sidney Charles is one of the hottest acts coming out of Berlin in recent years. From the beginning of his set however it was clear to see why he was given this opportunity, filling the first 30 minutes with quick changes and impressive drops that quickly got the crowd moving. His undisputed, best track being ‘Ruffline’ was universally recognised throughout and really got the night going.

Like PRISM and Sidney Charles, Josh Butler himself can safely say that 2013 was the year that “made” him, Bontan’s remix of his ‘Got A Feeling’ was arguably the song of the summer. Despite playing in his home town, Butler set lacked passion and effort, with lousy interchanges between songs and his whole set seemed somewhat quieter than Sidney’s. The crowd failed to connect with Butler and was often stuck in limbo as to whether to battle the queue for the toilet, or actually stay on the floor and dance.

James Bate

Josh Butler – ‘Got A Feeling’ (Bontan remix, Pleasurekraft edit) [kraftek]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3mt5lrti7w8

Sidney Charles – ‘Ruffline’ [8Bit-Records]