Infamous party brand, ABODE, took to the press halls of Printworks on the 6th November as part of an outstanding AW21 season. Since their inception in 2014 ABODE have continued to grow at a rapid rate, and are no strangers to Printworks as they sold out their debut show here back in 2017. Since then, the brand has gone from strength to strength; hosting a stage at We Are FSTVL, as well as throwing their own festivals ABODE in the Park and ABODE on the Rock in Malta. Next year will see even more international stints with an event in Las Vegas, a winter party ABODE in the Snow, and many other regular raves.
However, this Printworks show was all about going back to their roots with a traditional Sunday day party. So far this year, six of the seven events they have put on have been on a Sunday – a nod to their origins. Starting at midday, ABODE had a mammoth 10 hours of music with the dance floor of the press halls packed within the first couple hours.
The 10 hours featured many DJs that ABODE attendees have come to know and love. Ellie Cocks and GW Harrison have all featured on multiple lineups and are considered part of the Abode family. Banksie, Jamie Roy, Darius Syrossian, Richy Ahmed and Idris Elba completed the Sunday spectacle perfectly.
Throughout the day production was in full swing, with Printworks coming alive as soon as those thumping drops kicked in. The LED screen shone bright with the infamous ABODE “A” going through a range of colours throughout the night. The production team utilised the snare roll build ups as an opportunity to highlight the artist’s name with a frenzy of strobes. It also didn’t matter where you stood; at the front the LED screen was heavily used, with lights continuing along the length of press halls and illuminating the venue’s rich historical features.
The early acts of Banksie, Ellie Cocks and Jamie Roy brought high energy with heavily vocal sets raising the atmosphere at Printworks. GW Harrison stepped up to the decks at 4.30pm, and showcased tracks like a ’My Love’ edit, his own ’When House Takes A Journey’ and ’Spaceman’.
Darius Syrossian took over and warmed up the crowd for the main event, and he did not disappoint. Featuring a range of different artists in his set, he delivered a fine example of tech house rhythms with tracks like Shermanology’s ’Lose My Mind’, Sosa’s ’Slow Down’ and his new track ‘Persepolis’. With the crowd pumped up and energetic after over seven hours of music, it was time to remove the decks from stage and bring in a new setup. It was time for Idris Elba.
ABODE are known for being tech house purists, booking the genre’s most in-demand artists and next big names before they blew up. Previously Fisher and Camelphat have headlined their previous shows, and their debut sellout Printworks show had Solardo and Patrick Topping. Tonight was no exception, with an A-list celeb who also happens to be a famed house & tech DJ/producer behind the decks.
As Idris Elba appeared on stage to take over, the press halls exploded, clearly excited to see what the 49 year old had to offer. With some drumsticks in tow and a drum machine to the side of the decks, he supplied the crowd with a popular set. Tracks like a Squid Game edit, Sam Divine’s remix of ’My Desire’ and Meduza’s ’Piece Of Your Heart’ meant the crowd were fully involved.
All round, the event was incredible, as it always is at Printworks. If this was not a Sunday event I have no doubt ABODE would have sold out and been able to open Inkwells with another showcase of talent. The DJs were on point all day, fitting the ABODE aesthetic seamlessly. The visuals are always a spectacle at Printworks too, they seem to keep getting better and better- we can’t wait to see what they have in store next!
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