Strictly Underground’s 9th Birthday
To stay true to your roots in the music industry with what you believe in without compromise is a noble feat in this day and age. Social media pretends nights reach perfection, just to gain a few likes. Often, they will purvey a Champaign lifestyle when the reality is a lemonade budget gives nothing of the sort. However, sometimes a group of individuals stand up for what they believe in and do what they feel is right to make a statement on their own terms, for the art they love. I would like to introduce you to the guys who run Strictly Underground.
Ramji and Gavin Hogan celebrate the Strictly Underground ninth birthday this Saturday at the Fat Cat in Bangor. Showcasing the best in local talent from the underground house and techno scene, the emphasis has always been firmly on music for the dance floor, put together on their terms without any compromise. Having taken the brand around North Wales, Manchester and Liverpool to various venues, alongside some big festivals such as Creamfields and Gottwood, the boys have always stuck to what they believe in.
They have always pushed the best local talent alongside the bastions of underground music with bookings and supporting artists such as Tristan Da Cuna, Lauren Lo Sung, Speedy J, Leftwing & Cody, Billy Nasty, Dave Seamen and Adam Shelton to name but a few. Of recent years they have found their spiritual home at the Fat Cat in Bangor, which offers two floors of underground goodness. For the birthday this is no different with upstairs offering a number of DJ’s including (in set time order) Kin, Louis Hughes (Bare Bones), Andrew Ballentine, Matthew Tindall and Gwilym Owen. Downstairs in the basement will be two 3 hour back to back sets, kicking off with Manipulate’s John Scudamore spinning alongside Gavin Hogan. Ramji and Arwel Owen will then provide a techno soundtrack until the finish. It truly is a world-class underground vibe right on your doorstep!
