'SUMMER OF LOVE DISCO FESTIVAL @ OVAL SPACE' (17/6/17)

On Saturday the 17th of June, the phenomenal venue, that is Oval Space, welcomed an enormous party for funk and disco lovers from all over to attend. Fever 105 were in control and produced a superb line up including expert disco spinner – Kon, the Fever 105 live band, which was reminiscent of the old school motown groups, and the Menendez Brothers who have come a long way since starting DJing where they grew up in Columbia; and kept the energy high with their impressive record collection as the party came to a close.

The venue was excellently transformed into a 70s style-disco. The colourful environment contained various gleaming disco balls surrounding a humongous one in the middle which many were mesmerised by. The dance floor felt like it had been filled almost to perfection, as there were many disco lovers inside but also plenty of room to dance and have a good time. The outside smoking terrace, which famously looks over the iconic Bethnal Green gas holders, had also been jazzed up superbly with some funky peace signs and more disco balls – there can never be too many. Glitter was on sale for everyone to add to their groovy outfits, and the good vibes. As always at disco events, many splendid outfits were on show, with some people going all out Saturday night fever in their disco flares and shirts, and many showing off a pair of unique, groovy sunglasses.

Having arrived just before Kon was about to begin his set, there was an excitable atmosphere surrounding the venue and the ‘re-work king’ as many refer to him as, did not disappoint. He played many funky tunes, a personal favourite of mine – George Benson – ‘Give me the night’ which received a huge reaction from the crowd. The people you find at these events help add to the uniqueness, and enormous amount of fun you have, unlike most other club nights. One middle-aged man was spotted by many, gliding around the dancefloor with some of the smoothest moves you could ever lay your eyes on. He wore some retro disco flares with an old-school open neck shirt; a gold chain round his neck and yellow tinted aviators sitting on the end of his nose to complete the look. This man summed up the funky fever attitude, and enormous amount of fun that this event was able to provide. 

The highlight of the night was when the live band played. The ‘Fever 105 Disco Orchestra’ came onto the stage at 1am and absolutely smashed it until 2:30am, playing the very best disco classics which sent the crowd into ecstasy, as the room erupted disco energy. Everyone was dancing and singing along, spreading love across the dance floor. The band consisted of a classic, excellent female motown vocalist, with a couple of slick guitar players by her side, a drummer behind, and a couple other members of the band, including a sax player who totally nailed it. Their set-list included records by Diana Ross, Chic, Sister Sledge, Gloria Gaynor and more… It was a perfect set and the Menendez brothers faced a tough task of maintaining the high energy that the band had created, as they closed the night from 2:30am until 6am. Although it was a tough task, they did a great job alternating through disco/funk/soul and hip-hop to keep everyone going through until the early hours. Legend has it they used to play privately for Pablo Escobar, so they certainly knew how to bring the party! 

The Summer of Love Disco Festival was certainly a night to remember, and was made special thanks to the superb line up, great venue for a disco party, and the fun – loving crowd that attended. I would strongly recommend buying tickets for the ‘History of Disco’ festival at Oval Space on August the 12th, which promises to be another special night.