So, how did my first ever, and probably last ever DJ-ing spot go?
Well, I enjoyed myself. Through sheer optimism! The local bus routes to the Islington Bar were beset with road works and lengthy diversions. It took me well over an hour to get from Highgate to the middle of Caledonian Road. That's from one part of North London to the next. Ridiculous. I should have walked. The relentless, belting rain didn't help. Stay Beautiful was more sparsely attended than usual, even though it was their big Christmas Party night.
How much of this was due to the weather and public transport problems, how much due to the many other Christmas parties and events on in town (ones that are more easy to get to), and how much was due to people just HATING ME PERSONALLY, I don't know. The big Orlando reunion that Tim and I had been thinking about DAILY for WEEKS. Too bad. And some of those who did turn up complained about my choice of music. It was just like the old Orlando days: not enough people turned up, and we got complaints from the rockists. Rather apt, really.
In retrospect, maybe it wasn't such a good idea of mine playing lots of disco and camp pop to a clientele who'd come to hear glam-rock. But to thine ownself be true.
Still, the people that were there seemed to like it. Tim's Orlando bootleg was a real "follow that!" shock, and I'm just glad that my own choices didn't clear the floor too much. The Kylie song went down particularly well. And apparently people noticed me playing air-guitar to the Steve Vai-esque synth solo on Daft Punk's "Digital Love". The shame! I think I was imagining myself in that 80s film, "Crossroads", starring top boyish-girl-boy pin-up Ralph "Karate Kid" Macchio.
I got an immense kick out of playing Olivia, Moz, Take That and the Monochrome Set. Maybe I should start my own rollerdisco.
Here's what we played:
Tim: Just For A Second – Orlando vs Eminem (bootleg)
Dickon: Xanadu – Olivia Newton-John & ELO
Tim: Magnatron – Kenickie
Dickon: Could It Be Magic – Take That
Tim: UGLY – Daphne & Celeste
Dickon: Handsome Devil – The Smiths
Tim: Megacolon – Fischerspooner
Dickon: Digital Love – Daft Punk
Tim: Deanna – Nick Cave
Dickon: Doctor's Orders – Carol Douglas
Tim: Spiritwalker – The Cult
Dickon: He's Frank (Slight Return) – Monochrome Set
Tim: Sound Of The Underground – Girls Aloud
Dickon: Give Him A Great Big Kiss – Shangri-Las
Tim: Don't Mug Yourself – The Streets
Dickon: Better The Devil You Know – Kylie Minogue
Tim: Whatever, Whenever – Shakira
Dickon: Beautiful Stranger – Madonna
Many thanks to those who came along and danced.
