When the music changes, so does the dance African Proverb
INTRODUCTION Our body language can communicate how we feel, whom we are and what the situation is we’re in. If we’re happy, we react to things much differently than if we’re sad. If we’re in a bustling club, captivated by the euphoric trance of dance music, we are bound to move differently then if we’re conversing with friends in a sultry jazz bar. The way we move or act, accounts to a variety of different things. What is the atmosphere like? Is it warm and friendly or cold and unwelcoming? Are there people dancing or talking or are there no people at all? What is the music like? How are people dressed and how are people behaving? Inside this booklet I have studied some of my regular pit stops in Liverpool, exploring how people act inside these venues. How does people’s behavior change from one place to another, or does everyone just act as themselves? In one of the venues, certain members of the crowd witnessed a knife attack, which dramatically changed the way they approached the rest of the night. This is my exploration of a variety of Liverpool’s diverse bars and clubs. All opinions are my own.
CAMP
&
FURNACE
The Baltic triangle is one of Liverpool’s most historic areas that has recently been reclaimed and resurrected by a growing colony of creative people, promoters and entrepreneurs. This great surge has led to Camp and Furnace becoming part of the steady renaissance – making it one of ‘the’ places to be. Pushy crowds, stabbing dancing heels and long queues make the crusade of getting around difficult. The interest of fighting lingers likes a bad smell overhead, tension rising and falling as you move from room to room. Patrons dance with their hands, circling in the air as they catch every pulsating rhythm. They mill nervously as the track descends into a slow and murky hum of synths and dusty percussion. Arms energize as the baselines drop, feet tapping dynamically. Inflatable animals travel the dance floor, drifting through the light displays and wave of arms. The hard hitters standby with glistening eyes and shaky arms, captivated by the rhythms but appearing frozen, mind anesthetized.
FREE
PARTIES
A hush hush wave of free parties sweep the city with details of the venue often not released till the last minute. Put on in disused warehouses and empty buildings in some of the less populated areas of Liverpool. It’s a bring your own booze, wear a coat situation as most places don’t have the luxury addition of heating. Some buildings don’t have a consistent light supply leaving dark empty rooms a place that brings the word ‘horror’ to mind. Upon entering the Queen’s Nose, a free party held in a disused bakery unit on the outskirts of Liverpool, the person on the door was immediately threatened with a knife, taking all the profits. An intense feeling of unease struck the large crowds as they moved energetically, constantly watching for who was around them. People danced close, almost too close. Under 18’s circled, looking shifty. The ecstasy from house music feeling a million miles away as people pushed violently through the mass. The DJs look on from above, nodding complacently to the poor quality sound system and well-known house grooves.
BROOKLYN
MIXER
A welcomed addition to the cities re-invigorated nightlife is Seel Street’s Brooklyn Mixer. A zesty venue that’s currently finding its feet after just 4 months of residence, it boasts an exciting platter of good grub, cocktails, exhibitions and live DJ’s. A well-rounded location for Liverpool’s creative crowd to gather. Upstairs, the fuel of hip hop, soul and disco vibrates through the air as people natter impassively underneath. The brave swing their arms and dance diligently being careful to not catch the glaze of the covetous few watching. Downstairs tempos rise and a combination of patterns move perfunctorily across the dance floor. The cool cats stand in groups, heads nodding, feet tapping. Their mechanical expression’s acknowledged amongst parties. Few break the mold, twisting, turning and skating across the space like Bambi on a frozen lake. A wave of the underground cool isn’t frosty and unwelcoming, but warm and appealing. A mutual acceptance translated by drug embossed dancing.
SALT
DOG
SLIMS
Another fairly fresh venue to break into Liverpool’s bustling bar scene is Steins and Brines specialist; Salt Dog Slims, providing punters with a vivid selection of worldly boozes, popcorn and some of the best ‘dogs around town. The perfect venue for a chilled, mid week drink or a starting point for an energetic weekend. After such little time in the city, this venue has stood its ground, feeding the niche market scene that Liverpool is swiftly obtaining. A Walk Don’t Walk sign flashes behind the bustling bar as a mixture of stag parties, trendy oldies and an assortment of young hipsters, congest the floor space with laughter, conversations and a selection of world beers in their hands. Tasty Hip Hop selections flood the airwaves as people shuffle and nod their heads in appreciation. Two men sit around a bathtub; a 40’s birthday card can be seen. To the back of the room, a steel door stands closed, what lies ahead, only those lucky enough with a code can enter.
81
LTD
Secretive and open to only the exclusive, 81ltd sits above Salt Dog Slims like it’s elegant older sister that all the boys want to flirt with. A fresh-faced newbie on the scene, 81ltd hides away behind a coded door, only accessible if you text a certain number. Known amongst the more advantaged society, expensive booths and a huge range of cocktails make this venue so swish and swanky. Sitting amongst the raw interior of exposed brick and low wooden ceilings are a higher society, the wealthy and lavish cats of Liverpool. Relishing in vivid cocktails that smell zesty and sweet, hands exchange money and groups of men sit round tables in suits. The ladies look magnificent, their scouse heritage decanting from their expensive dresses and rolled hair. There is no dancing, only a loud chatter across tables and by the bar. The disco infused melodies offer a nice warmth to the venue that otherwise might be icy and unwelcoming.
MAYA Tucked away underneath the Mexican restaurant Lucha Libra, Maya is the dark horse of the city with an interior that boasts a ‘Day of the Dead’ feel to it. Known for it’s appetizing range of cocktails and homebrews, it’s a great venue for an after dinner drink or dance. Feisty, fresh and full of good spirits, this is the one place that pretentiousness is dead and buried at the door. Tables become home to coats and bags while a variety of people move liberally around the shadowy enclosed space. Bright colours, big hair and lurid dance moves flow vibrantly against the eclectic selection of RnB, Hip Hop and funk tracks. Men and woman salsa humorously while groups of girls ruffle skirts and attempt to dance sensually, alcohol written all over their faces. The added tweet service projected onto the wall offers bad humored tweets from patrons, a few giving warming to the creepy ginger guy making his way round each group of girls.
In silence and movement you can show the reflection of people. – Marcel Marceau