one4review | On 15, Aug 2014

Hot Dub Time Machine (subtitled ‘Best. Party. Ever.’) is two and a half hours of chronological music, starting fifty years before the current year. DJ Tom Loud, full of energy, is onstage directing proceedings, there are three big screens playing mainly the videos for relevant songs, and the usual coloured and flashing lights. I was sober and managed to enjoy myself to the end, so that’s at least few stars in its favour.
The other stars are made up by the details. The venue (The McEwan Hall), was full, but not to the point that there was no space to move. The audience themselves played a significant part in the conviviality: people were there to have a good time and dance (rather than pull), and were quick and willing to help when my friend twisted his ankle in the middle of the dance floor (thank you to the girl who helped carry him out). Aggressive dancing into other people’s space was minimal.
Musically, there was definitely something for everyone (including more mature party-goers), and while I felt the audience was lost during the awful nineties house, I’m also sure that others felt the same about Led Zepplin, Nirvana and Rage against the Machine.
A rainstorm over the queue didn’t dampen anyone’s determination to have a good time (though there’s no cloakroom for those wet jackets).

Reviewed by Laura

Underbelly, Bristo Square (McEwan Hall), 00:30, not mon/tue