HIGH FIVE: THE UK'S BEST THIS MONTH

 DEFECTED IN THE HOUSE, MINISTRY OF SOUND, LONDON

SATURDAY 28TH JUNE

NIC FANCIULLI, OLIVER $, SECONDCITY, COPYRIGHT, FRANKY RIZARDO, CRISTOPH

 

An example to anyone who doubts the survival of the dance music label in traditional form, Defected is 15-years-old and only getting stronger. The imprint has been at the forefront of the UK house revolution, snapping up in-demand tunes from FCL, Storm Queen and Chicken Lips for re-presses. In 2013, they put out massive originals from the likes of Huxley & Shenoda, while roping in house music's hottest, most current, like Henrik Schwarz, Nick Curly and Noir, for their regular 'In the House' series.

The label's loyal roster — Flashmob, Copyright, Stefano Ritteri, Osunlade and co — help keep the output decent and frequent, but it's Defected's history that's most remarkable. Classics from Masters At Work, Bob Sinclar and Paul Johnson during the '90s marked house music at its heyday and the imprint is still leading from the front, as the sound storms the UK charts once again.

A label that's thrived due to its industrious work rate, its underground spin-off DFTD is laying down top-notch cuts from people like Guti, Gerd and NiCe7, breaking new talent like Cristoph, while Luke Solomun and Derrick Carter's Classic Music brand has also enjoyed a renaissance under its auspices.

Defected has no shortage of achievements, so the opportunity to celebrate 15 years on the dancefloor doesn't come lightly. It makes sense Simon Dunmore and his team have joined forces with Ministry of Sound, the legendary London club.

Saved boss Nic Fanciulli and Oliver $ will join new talent Secondcity in The Box, while Copyright, Franky Rizardo and Cristoph man the 103.

Two of house music's most unstoppable forces in unison, Defected in the House at Ministry of Sound is a night not to be missed if you're serious about UK clubbing. Raise your glass and show some respect!

11pm – 7am | £20 | defected.com

FABRIC, LONDON

SATURDAY 28TH JUNE

DEETRON, REDSHAPE, WILL SAUL, SLAM, TERRY FRANCIS, CRAIG RICHARDS

 

Still the undisputed king of London's underground club scene, Fabric continues to be revered worldwide not just for its colossal soundsystem, but its consistently excellent programming. The last Saturday in June is a case in point. Everything-in-the-pot DJ and top-class producer Deetron will bring his unique ability to join the dots between techno, house and electro to Room 1 in a bid to launch his contribution to the Fabric Live mix hall of fame. Masked techno destroyer Redshape will play live and Aus boss Will Saul is also onboard alongside Craig Richards, the club's deft resident. Meanwhile in Room 2, Glasgow's Soma duo Slam will lay down a panel-beating set with Terry Francis, Fabric's other lauded in-house talent. House and techno of all varying shades, you'll find them at this Farringdon mecca tonight.

11pm – 8am | £10 - £25 | fabriclondon.com 

SANKEYS: PARKLIFE AFTERLIFE, MANCHESTER

SATURDAY 7TH JUNE

EATS EVERYTHING, CATZ 'N DOGZ, ROUTE 94, HANNAH WANTS

 

If you aren't too tired after a day and night in a field for Parklife, there's afterparties a-plenty in Manchester that weekend. From Ben UFO b2b Midland at Underland to Jamie Jones and Lee Foss at The Albert Hall, there's more than a few reasons to drag your sweaty feet across town, even if you're desperately in need of a post-festival shower. The pick of the bunch, though, is Eats Everything, Catz 'N Dogz, Route 94 and Hannah Wants at Sankeys. Please note: we don't advise trying to shuffle in wellies.

10pm -  5am | £20 | sankeys.info

HOSPITALITY, CONCORDE 2, BRIGHTON

SATURDAY 7TH JUNE

CAMO & KROOKED, SPY, ETHERWOOD, CALLOUS, MC LOWQUI, MC RUTHLESS, MC YOUTHSTAR

Ever wondered if there's a Concorde 1? We haven't. Preferring instead to concentrate on Brighton's grimy warehouse shack by the shore where d&b's finest regularly come to cause a ruckus. This month, the Hospital crew stop by, off the back of their epic 18-year celebrations to give Brighton's ravers exactly what they want. You guessed it. Dutty, liquid d&b. With Camo & Krooked, SPY, Etherwood, Callous and a host of MCs on the bill, Concorde 2 will always be our No.1.

11pm – 4am | £15 | hospitalitydnb.com

ELECTRIC MINDS, STUDIO SPACES, WAPPING

FRIDAY 20TH JUNE

JOHN TALABOT, AXEL BOMAN, KRIS WADSWORTH, DOLAN BERGIN

 

Dolan Bergin knows how to pick 'em. After bringing in Theo Parrish, Move D and Last Magpie for a Dimensions Festival launch at Easter, he's drafted in Barcelona's elusive outsider house dude John Talabot, Studio Barnhus boss Axel Boman and Detroit's techno cat with attitude Kris Wadsworth to play at Autumn Studios. A line-up guaranteed to get the moustaches of east London hipsters in a twist; will no doubt appeal to hardcore dance heads too.

11pm – 6am | TBC |  facebook.com/electricminds