Steve Lawler is often a DJ associated with the world's best club, Space, but not since moving to Playa d'en Bossa's most intimate underground haven, Sankeys. A nest for thumping tech-house and its fans throughout the week the venue has seen a flurry of holiday makers and workers invade it making it their new musical Mecca. And a Wednesday serving of Lawler's Viva Warriors is just what they want, need and flock to and last night's party was no different. In fact it was busier, better and dirtier than before.
Just like the party's poster the evening played on many of the elements of the cult classic film 'The Warriors' - which the night is ultimately based on; incorporating gimmicks, fancy dress and even projecting the film onto the smoking terrace's wall banded together the evening and united all the clubbers as Lawler's very own army. The dancefloor was amass with warriors of music marching to Steve's tech sounds; cleverly executed in a way which portrayed strength, fierceness and unity, just like the film. Strong and relentless fast pumping basslines, hard sharp symbols slicing through the tracks and deep chords anchored by groovy melodies and vocals is what gripped the crowd from start to finish and made the vibrating floors bounce without rest.
With sets from Darius Syrossian, Detlef, Steve Lawler and Sascha Dive plus the Spektrum being hosted by 'U Wanna Escape' the party was pumping and did so solidly from Darius's opening set right through to Sascha Dive's closing show. With tracks likes wAFF's Hot Creations debut 'Jo Johnson' being played the party not only adopted a strong tech vibe but it also embraced a sexy side through seductive whispers, penetrating basslines and naughty synths which continuously chopped at the melodies; tracks such as 'Black shoes white socks' by Freaks really showed this off.
Steve Lawler's presence was one of the main wow factors of last night's party; with an extra long set from 2.30am-5am he put together a powerful set of sounds including 'Insane' - Charles Ramirez, 'Hear me out' - Nic Fanciulli & Gary Beck and 'Westworld' - Chiapet. Occasionally straying from his strong tech style Lawler played with some disco sounds with Marshall Jefferson's track 'Move your body' and he even pulled at the fist pumping arm of the trance world with unique record 'Aisha' by Gaia.
Sankeys for me this summer has really been about bringing quality music to the island on a more intimate scale and it really does seem like the place to be. So, it comes as no great surprise that Viva Warriors has extended its season by an extra week - now closing on Wednesday 19th September, when Steve Lawler will be joined by Alex Tepper, Amir, Antonio Piacquadio, Butch, Carlo Lio, Leon, Marco Effe and Sante... Surely that's one not to be missed?
