Find Me In The Dark presents 5 Years of Stroboscopic Artefacts – Corsica Studios, London

The night before the big 5 year bash at Berghain, Stroboscopic Artefacts warmed up with a smaller celebration at a newly spruced up Corsica Studios. Out with the sofas down with all the posters adorning the corridors – gleaming white walls and a new wooden DJ surround have given the place a small facelift.

Manse was playing a pumping set when we arrived; pounding bass, the odd vocal, marching drums and bouncy mid range. The set was too upbeat to be thought of as experimental but not upbeat enough to carry my feet away. Sounds would build up to the point I was dancing like crazy and then just meander off again to a shuffle.

The set of the night for me was label head Lucy. Starting late due to flight delays, his set started with Gregorian chanting and sci-fi synths, moving through a weird and trippy soundscape with plenty of tough beats to focus your feet on the ground as your mind wondered off into the distance. My ears were fed with a full spectrum of pitches, rhythms and sounds – both brain and feet fully occupied for the duration by tracks such as Perc’s Tri City from the newly released “Five Years of Artefacts – Chapter One”.

The set was as grand as a film score, a full rainbow of techno – everything from funky Rice Krispie snap crackle and pops to annihilating, double time bass lines, heavyweight punches and finally a wall of solid bass that fell on the dance floor like a ton of bricks.

A shot of glamour in the darkness, Rrose took to the stage for a live set. Less ferocious than Lucy, clean crisp beats layering over each other, echoing each other and overlapping in waves. What could have been dangerously experimental was fused with a level of upbeat funk that created a wholly unique sound. Excellently executed Rrose’s live set was received by a hot, over-crowded dance floor with huge appreciation.

I needed some space to dance so popped in to room 2 where Michael Wells was playing a stellar set of varied beats, in a room full of cooling fans and enough space to swing about. Altogether a more joyous environment for a decent dance, I often find myself in Room 2 at Corsica when Room 1 gets overcrowded. I barely ever know who is playing in there before I go and often find myself new gems. I will definitely want to hear Michael Wells play again. 

Happy Birthday to Stroboscopic Artefacts – I’m damn sure an equally if not more epic celebration was had in Berlin, but London enjoyed being the warm up!

Words: Abbi Barham