Beats + Pieces

The team behind Homelands – Vince Power, Mick O’Keeffe (both from Mean Fiddler) and John Reynolds (Red Box) – launch a new weekly club night called Massive at their purpose-built 2,200 capacity venue South in Tramore, Co. Waterford later this month.

The four-room venue includes a huge ‘warehouse style’ main room, a ‘funky’ second room, a chill-out lounge, and a VIP area. The opening party on Friday 26th October sees the inimitable Paul Oakenfold as the first to take to the Massive turntables with support by Lucien Foort, 2FM’s John Power and PoD’s Robbie Butler. (Oakenfold is at Redbox in Dublin the same night. The Dublin club’s DJ Weekender, running until the 28th, also features Paul Van Dyk, Johnny Moy, Francois and Billy Scurry.)

From the following weekend, Massive switches to Saturdays, and lined up to appear before the end of the year are John Digweed, Steve Lawler, Jon Carter, Layo & Bushwacka!, Danny Howells, Anthony Pappa, Justin Robertson, Rhythm Masters, Futureshock, John Cecchini, Yousef, Johnny Moy and Hybrid.

Massive is not the only new ‘superclub’ opening that weekend. On October 27th, at the 3,000-plus capacity Buck’s in Dundrum, Co. Tipperary, the team behind Club Space in Camolin will be launching their new Saturday night venture with Steve Hill. By the way, John Cecchini plays Club Space in Camolin on October 27th …

Temple Theatre’s Jay Pidgeon has just recorded the impressive ‘D For Damage’ with Belfast’s prolific producer Modelle. Tuff Twin Modelle is also working on material with hard house queens Anne Savage and Lisa Pin-Up … Dublin producer Ronan O Ciosoig’s debut single as Ron’s Mobile Disco is out on his own One Louder label this fortnight. Distribution is by D1, and a follow-up featuring ‘Technophobic’ and ‘Pilabactor’ is ready to go … The first issue of clubbing.com magazine hits the shops on October 25th …

The first ever Top 50 Irish DJs Poll is running now on www.jpcmusic.com Voting closes on October 29th, and everyone who casts theirs goes into a draw for tickets for the Xtreme Hallow’Een Party at Clifton Court Hotel on October 31st. DJs include Tony Goodison, and you can purchase tickets for the bash at Abbey Discs in Dublin. The results of the poll will be announced in these pages soon after … Ex-Underworld member Darren Emerson plays Redbox on October 20th … Techno giants Speedy J and Mike Paradinas (who is releasing a new dEcal single on his Planet Mu label next month) play TBMC in Dublin on October 27th. Drum ‘n’ bass don Fabio plays the same venue on November 17th … Hugely popular club The Met in Armagh is up for sale, according to local newspaper reports, but that won’t affect the 2FM Sessions Tour broadcast on November 3rd. Headlining is Robbie Nelson …

Joey Beltram has cancelled his planned date at Temple Bar Music Centre this Saturday and the rest of his tour after the events in NYC on September 11th. His statement says: “Due to the recent and painfully sad events that have taken place in New York (where I live and was born), I will be unable to continue with the tour. This of course isn’t an easy decision and I can’t exactly put all my feelings into words. I just hope you all understand.” Joey is replaced at TBMC by a promising Best Of Irish bout featuring nine homeboys battling it out … Mister Spring plays The Stables in Mullingar this Saturday (13th). The big gig in Dublin the same night is Winter Party at The Point featuring Sasha, John Digweed and Carl Cox. Sasha will later play the closing set at Redbox – tickets are £20. Also on the same night, MTV’s Dancefloor Chart Show will be filming at Temple Theatre … Congratulations to Strictly Handbag. Ri-Ra’s Monday night club recently celebrated its seventh birthday ...

Half-Irish producers Baby Doc and SJ are opening up their studio to all-comers, whether it’s DJs or vocalists or a fully-fledged band. The pair have eight years of experience behind them, so if you’re interested in a top-notch sound for your track, call Sarah Jane on 0044 207 713 0998 … Last month at the London Apollo, Hammersmith the Technics DMC World Championships was won by the UK’s own DJ Plus One – the first time in twelve years that a British DJ has claimed the crown … THE BEAT GOES ON!