Okay, so I've got over it. The way clubbing has changed I mean. I did go back to Godskitchen, only this time with different expectations and a new attitude. And I'm glad I did. I've seen both Oakenfold and Paul van Dyk in Birmingham this year and both were excellent. Both events had very different feels though, with the Oakenfold crowd being much friendlier for whatever reason. My girlfriend made a great observation at the van Dyk gig that there were far more lads at this one, many taller than me (therefore 5 11" or more) and many of them who are well into their weights. Music was great at both events though.
Anyway, I'm now a regular down in Digbeth and familar with the nights down there. The big difference compared with the north is that it is definitely more house than trance based down here, which isn't my favourite type of electronic dance music, but I suppose you have to move with the times.
I have seen a couple of funny things down here got to say. The first one of these was after the van Dyk gig when I went for a kebab afterwards and a group of three lads had a go at my girlfriend and I. Nothing came of it in the end and they fucked off without anything getting out of hand, but in hindsight I think their comments may have been racially motivated (we are an inter-racial couple) and I hate to say it, but the music I love is very, very white (as am I).
The second funny thing that happened was at another well-known Digbeth house music night. I was on my own at this one and found a good spot on the dance floor next to the enormous floor standing speakers where I could dance without anyone bothering me too much. So there I am, dancing away minding my own business when two girls in their early 20's walked towards me and pushed past me to get between the speakers and the wall (they are angled). Anyway, after squeezing against the wall right next to me, they proceeding to start getting off with one another, then one put her hand up the others skirt, pulled her knickers to one side and well, the rest writes itself. So this is going on right next to me, it was my first time in this particular club so I'm thinking "Is this the norm here?!?". I turned around to see what the people behind's me reaction was and all I can say is that the girls stood on the stage behind had looks of complete and utter shock, and even the lads were in disbelief, that is, apart from the older ones who just shrugged their shoulders and carried on dancing.
Anyway, after the girls had finished they just mingled back in to the dancefloor and the evening carried on.
And no, I haven't been back to this particular night again. It's only on every three months and this was only two months ago...
See you at Tangled in September for the 20th anniversary!
