One of the things that the York student scene gets criticised on is its nightlife. Don’t get me wrong, the night clubs are there, the student deals are pretty decent and The Willow is open for as long as you would want to be out (or quite frankly should want to be). But what happens when a couple of weeks after Freshers fortnight everyone has got bored of the mainstream chart hits, and isn’t in the mood for the squash of Tokyo/Salvo/Kuda dance floor, or (God forbid) has become allergic to £1 shots of Tequila/Sambuca? Is there anything out there for the adventurous kid/closet hipster within us? I’ve been doing my research about upcoming student events in York and turns out there might just be a whole dollop of alternative hope for those crying out for a break from the beaten track…
First on the agenda is Milli Vanilli, the house music night launched all the way back in June last year. Inspired by the already strong house night ‘Freakin’ Tim Perara (Milli Vanilli’s co-ordinator) created the night to cater for a crowd of people who were fed up with those bog standard student nights but still wanted an opportunity to go out and enjoy themselves, without breaking the bank at Freakin’ or journeying all the way to Leeds, Manchester, or Sheffield. One of the special things about Milli Vanilli is the role of the resident DJs (Harry J, Kit Munro & Tim Perara) who are privileged enough to have complete freedom in their sets, expected to play what they want and not what they think everyone else wants. Such creative flexibility seems to have worked in the night’s favour so far, with many successful and much talked about nights throughout last term and the hope of bringing in bigger artists for upcoming events. “Of course,” I hear you say, everyone says they’ll bring in “bigger artists,” but it looks like Milli Vanilli will actually be delivering on this promise, with Tristan da Cunha (a DJ who has been a resident for the last 10 years at Back to Basics in Leeds, an institutional monument of the UK house scene) lined up for the next night on January 15th. One of the best things about the night is, as Tim claims, “Everyone is welcome on the dance-floor. it’s about the music and having a good time, nothing more, nothing less!” So if you want to try something new where people won’t judge you for not having a clue about the music, or how you’re meant to dance, or how happy you look, then Milli Vanilli is the alternative night for you
.
If Milli Vanilli isn’t up your street then why not try the national student favourite alternative night out, Itchy Feet? It’s hard to find points of the night that could disprove the belief of its new coordinator, George Morgan, that Itchy Feet “is an injection of fun into York nightlife.” Itchy Feet has had a long term success rate, touring across the country to great acclaim from students everywhere. It’s refreshing step back into old school music (and we aren’t talking the Spice Girls or S Club here, but the swinging music of the 50s) makes it easy to fall into for those making that primary step into hipster land. With a general expectation for swing-style fancy dress it even gives you the excuse to buy a bowtie or braces. Who knows, you might end up liking them. So highlight the end of January in your diary as the time this year where your feet can be acceptably called itchy and get on down to The Duchess for some good old boogying!
Or if you want to try something completely new then keep your eyes peeled for the all new and exclusive Party Guilt, brought to you on Thursday 31st of January. The very name of this night is enough to get me interested, with the Co-Ordinators (Thomas and Angus) claiming it has a double-edged point of interest – being the name of an old Royal We record but also referring to the “naughtiness” that defines house and techno parties. Like Milli Vanilli (and its partner in crime on the techno night scene, Bangers and Mash) Party Guilt aims to provide York with a house and techno outlet, but with a promise for longer sets and more vinyl and less funk, disco or electro music than its competitors. The two co-ordinators hope that the event will, above all, have a unique identity that attracts like-minded people to come and enjoy it again and again.
Whether you have a particular musical taste, or simply want a change of scenery from the standard mainstream clubbing backdrop, then it seems that York’s alternative nightlife scene has got what it takes to meet your needs! So why not try out one of these upcoming events and see if that alternative kid inside you grows into an adult? If the worst comes to the worst Willow will always welcome you back.