Review: Ninja Tune XX Anniversary

By suke Last edited 161 months ago
Review: Ninja Tune XX Anniversary

ninja-tune-speakers.jpg It’s hard to fathom how 20 years have passed since Messrs Jonathon Moore and Matt Black (aka Coldcut) co-founded independent record label Ninja Tune. Synonymous with exciting and experimental electronica, cutting-edge audio-visuals and some of the coolest names in the business on their books, it was always going to be the mother-of-all parties to celebrate such a monumental occasion. In fact, they are mid-way through 20 mother-of-all parties worldwide. Saturday night saw London’s turn, with the biggest of them all, and through the driving rain we made our way to the subterranean space of Ewer St Car park where 5 Colossal arches, 3 sound and lighting systems and a line-up of the label's top stars awaited us.

Our bones were thrilled by ear-splitting sets from international Ninjas old and new - Canadian Kid Koala, Ninja newbie SF based Eskmo, unmistakable Mancunian Mr Scruff, LA based Daedelus using the Monome to great effect, DJ Food, and ex-rockers turned drum ‘n’ bassists The Qemists. Roots Manuva, The Bug and Hexstatic surely would have too had we been a bit more together and not just caught the tail end of what sounded like awesome sets.

Packed out, well organised, good vibes, chill-out space and decor courtesy of the Mutoid Waste Company and plenty of bars made for the full-on Ninja Tune experience. We spilled out at 5.30am with just one disappointment - brilliant Brazillian Amon Tobin couldn’t be there, as originally planned, due to some current immigration issues in the US which prevented him from leaving the country.

Ninja Tune XX. Celebratory box-set info here

Last Updated 06 October 2010