Smirnoff Nights: Silent Disco & Fun Lovin Criminals @ Koko, Camden, London – 10th September 2008
Last night Smirnoff held the first night of a silent disco global promotion campaign at Camden’s Koko club (formerly Camden Palace for those party-goers of years gone by).
Headlining was Huey and Co. of the Fun Lovin Criminals with a twist, the whole night including two sets by DJ OD was to be a Silent Disco!
The concept of a Silent Disco started in Eastern Europe and its popularity has grown in the UK over the last year or two. I was intrigued to finally attend a ‘silent disco’ but couldn’t fathom exactly how it would all work. In reality, it was very, very good. The club was busy on all floors, and the music from DJ OD (a pioneer of silent discos from Holland) was largely party anthems.
The ‘silent disco’ was sent out in FM to the headphones and could be received by any lucky neighbors flicking through the airwaves nearby!
Staff handed out headphones and Smirnoff branded garments including feather boas, leg warmers, gloves, and visors to the fans in the entrance hall. The eerie silence was strange, as it dawned on me I would usually be able to feel the bass from here. But this time there was no noise, only the shuffle of feet and the occasional voice.
Looking down on the dance floor was surreal, but only with the headset off (when you could hear the odd fan already singing along!), once the headphones were on the experience seemed surprisingly normal.
The bar was exclusively Smirnoff-based drinks and offered a one-off opportunity to be served Smirnoff with Dr. Pepper, or ginger ale, or have cocktails including Moscow Mules and Apple Treacles.
The Fun Lovin Criminals came on at 10.30. The drummer was housed in a soundproof box, while the other two were free-standing on the stage very close to the fans. The clarity of the music was better than a usual gig since there was no distortion from crowds shouting although the sense of atmosphere was preserved by the genuine enjoyment and excitement evident on people’s faces (and dances!). The band was on stage for approximately one hour and appeared to enjoy the gig as much as the audience.
It’s worth mentioning, that due to the silence of the night adoring fans could express their love for Huey and the band with a guarantee to be heard, something usually confined to the “I love you Huey!!” momentary intervals between songs.
Overall the event was great fun, well planned, and ran very smoothly; with a thoroughly enjoyable vibe in a clubbing experience that appears to be taking the UK by storm.
I don’t expect the thumping speakers of traditional clubbing to become extinct, but I do highly recommend going to a silent disco with an open mind to enjoy the novelty of the concept.
The Koko Club was great, the crowd had an awesome vibe and the band’s performance was thoroughly brilliant.
The next Smirnoff Silent Disco event in the UK is to be held in Brighton. Be sure you get down there for another quality night. Have fun!
