With waves of smoke filling the air and swathes of gun fingers bopping to each and every tune, it was clear from the outset that this grime night belonged in the underground. With a residency at Dalston’s The Alibi, the Butterz crew brought the Jamz party up North.

Previously regulars at the renowned FWD, Elijah and Skilliam launched Butterz in 2006, and it has since become an immediately identifiable brand in grime over the past few years, posing new questions of the genre, taking the focus away from the MCs and back towards its potential as instrumental dance music.

This was evident in the night at Wire with the music leaning more towards bass and garage, rather than a focus on MCs. Royal T is one of the brightest sparks to come out of grime in recent years, producing tracks with the likes of Roska and P Money and hosting a regular show in Rinse FM. ‘I Know You Want Me’ is easily his most recognisable as well as his best production, with its big build up and satisfying drop rounding off a set that was the best of the night.

As the night progressed, however, the crowd that was densely skanking together for the first two acts, seemed to disperse by the time of Elijah & Skilliam. It has to be said that their set was a bit lacking compared to that of Flava D and Royal T; it was a touch slow and lacked the infamous “grimey” tracks that made the pair famous.

There’s been a longing for a night away from London that appealed to the non-house loving type of crowd and the Butterz crew, through their Jamz night certainly offer this.

James Bate

Royal T -‘I Know You Want Me’ [Ammunition]