Perc (live) + Smear in Dublin - Friday 25.2.11

This February we shift from old skool to nu-skool, for our return to The Underground at Kennedy’s. It features two of our favourite techno producers of the moment, headed by English extraordinaire Perc, and ably assisted by Glasgow and Leeds’ finest Smear!


Building up releases on labels like Drumcode, CLR, Kompakt and Ovum, is an impressive feat, but still doesn’t fully identify Ali Wells' standing in the techno world. Over the last few years particularly, Perc has entered grittier and more experimental territory than his peers, treading some old paths but discovering many new routes. Last year’s ‘BCG’ track on his ever-industrious Perc Trax label, perfectly emphasised modern techno’s best bits – stark industrial atmosphere, cavernous dub backbone and added live sequences, demonstrating the type of invention often lacking in the genre today. With forthcoming releases on the likes of Sonic Groove, and a debut album on Perc Trax also ready to drop, we couldn’t think of a better time to have Perc come and play live in Dublin.




Before even hearing music by an artist called ‘Smear’, it seems safe to assume that he/she/it isn’t making funky house. With a steady stream of releases that goes back five years, Smear’s brutal yet atmospheric take on techno first came to most prominence via his involvement as one half of Forward Strategy Group (who incidentally have a new 12" on Perc Trax at the end of February). Further appearances on labels like Zooloft, MNX and Singularity, have made the Scottish man’s intentions clearly known. Without much fuss or showboating, Smear has earned many followers, not least through his killer dj sets at Leeds’ flagship techno night ‘Detached’.

Also appearing on the night is Giles Armstrong. As the brains behind ‘Electric City’ – one of the few groundbreaking Irish club nights of recent years - Giles has also played his part as one of the country's most relevant djs, with his services being in constant demand over the last ten years. Recently invigorated by the advancement in digital dj-ing technology, Giles has ditched his 1210s for a pair of Fader Foxes and Traktor, and unlike many DJs who made this type of move, Giles is most definitely on an upward trajectory. Get in early to catch the big man play a big set.

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Friday February 25th
The Underground @ Kennedy's, Westland Row, Dublin 2

Perc - Live (Perc Trax - London)
Smear (Forward Strategy Group - Glasgow)
Giles Armstrong (Electric City - Dublin)

Doors: 10.30pm
Admission: €10 before midnight / €12 after