Concept is a new event happing at Club Hidden on Friday the 22nd of December. I caught up with Joe Smart, the Foundation Room promoter to ask him a how he arrived at Concept

So how did this event come about?

Well, this is really a DSI production! I have just set up my own event company called J-Stylus which is based in Newcastle Upon Tyne but I originally come from London and wanted to put some events on in the capital with my brother but was unsure how to get in touch with club owners and other promoters until I joined the DSI promoter forum. I recommend that to everyone, it's brilliant! I replied to a call for promoters from Will at Club Hidden and the rest is history.

Once you had made contact with Will, what was your next move?

I talked to Will over the phone a few times then went down and saw the club. I was very impressed by the layout and the sound system and made my decision to proceed with the night.

At this point, did you have ideas for the event?

I had a few, but I knew I wouldn't be able to fill the venue by myself. I had a few friends who promote gigs in London and one of them, Joe from Tribal Vibrations, showed some interest. The only problem was that he does psy-trance/tribal and I do more breakbeat/funky D'n'B. I hadn't seen any event where both these musical genres were played but thought it would allow people from different musical genres to experience something new.

So you had a room of psy-trance and a room of breakbeat. What did you have planned for the third room?

Again it was DSI that allowed me of get in contact with Adam from Screw. Screw is a really big Electro House outfit in Portsmouth and he had actually enquired about hiring Hidden a week before me, and like me thought it too big for one person to do. We had a chat online and then over the phone and agreed to spilt the risk and co-promote the event.

Electro House, Breakbeat and Psy-Trance. Sounds interesting!

Ha Ha, I know. That was where the name Concept came from! We wanted to have an overall name for the night that would still allow the individual promoters brands shine though.

Now you have the venue, and the promoters. What was the next step?

Now all we needed was some DJs. For my Foundation Room I wanted someone who would be accessible to people who might not have experienced breakbeat before and was also a respected name in the business. After some searching and asking fellow DSI members who they wanted to see I settled on the Future Funk Squad. I really like the UK flavour and the fact I own some of their records and regularly play them out meant I knew they would take care of business. We decided to run each of the rooms as separate events, so each room needed a headliner. Tribal Vibrations got Monkey Pilot and Screw signed up Dave Spoon for the evening.

I think I’m starting to get it. 3 rooms, run by 3 different promoters, playing very different styles, with 3 headliners all well respected within their own musical genres in one club. Do you think people who came to see Dave Spoon would be that interested in seeing Monkey Pilot?

Probably not. But if they go for a wander around the club they will end up in the Tribal Vibrations Room and experience something they may not have otherwise experienced. Just like the Future Funk Fan who hates House music but wanders into the Screw room and discovers electro house and immediately converts and then has the night of his/her life. That’s what I’m hoping for anyway!

Finally, who are you looking forward to seeing the most?

I can’t wait to see Future Funk as I am a big fan. I plan to check out Dave Spoon as I have heard really good thing about him. I have been to a few Tribal Vibration gigs and really enjoy the vibe as well as the live percussion. Those drums make you move!

Concept 22nd December featuring 3 rooms of different music.
Limited Adv £10 tickets on ticket web

Concession DSI guest list

For more information please contact
Joe on 07737349459
www.j-stylus.co.uk
www.ilovescrew.co.uk
www.myspace.com/ilovescrew