Like Marmite, Boris Johnson or the continuing world domination of Gangnam Style, New Year's Eve is a love it or hate it affair. For the faithful it’s a whirlwind night of revelry, with everyone in the capital coming together to vibe under the same starlit sky maaaaan. For the rest it resembles an oyster dinner in Mayfair — cold, wet & very expensive.
Whatever — if the alternative is to sit at home watching a guy with a wobbly head murder the piano (no, not Macca’s Olympic performance again) then surely it’s a good idea to head out. London has an unbelievably strong line up of clubbing treats, and with free travel laid on till the wee hours it promises to be a voyage across the capital that lasts as long as your legs do. Enough faffing — with NYE prices seemingly recession proof it's best to plan ahead. We'll update with more information as it's given.
Eastern Electrics NYE @ Coronet Theatre
A heavyweight line up here, with four of Resident Advisor's DJs of the year present at Eastern Electrics' bash. Headlining the ornate Coronet Theatre in Elephant and Castle is UK wunderkid Joy Orbison, whose four year purple streak sees no sign of abating. The addictive Ibiza house of Hot Creations' Miguel Campbell, Tring’s rising star Huxley and the hungry, hungry house of Bristolian burger baron Eats Everything round off a 'triffic bill. Info here.
Beat Dimension NYE @ Ewer Street Warehouse
A great bill from a diverse range of producers who like their techno as clunking, clanging and perverse as possible. Blawan's furious work rate this year — teaming up with Pariah under the Karenn guise, touring relentlessly and dropping 2012's most terrifying record — has seen him leap from promising upstart to headline status. Untold's Hemlock label just celebrated its fifth birthday, so expect some percussive curveballs. And no doubt praying for a little more Eurozone stability in the upcoming financial year, Germany's Mike Dehnert and Romania's Cosmin TRG will add some continental colour. Info here.
Border Community NYE @ Peckham Palais
Not the busiest of years for James Holden's little fluffy Border Community but no matter, with a line-up this strong. Nathan Fake's "Steam Days" was the label's sole release of 2012 — a playfully emotive epic overlooked by too many. Luke Abbott and a special guest slot from Parisian survivor Ivan Smagghe complete the unique electronic vision. In room two, promoters Warm host the supreme disco of Mark E and Fort Romeau's dreamy deep house. Info here.
Dollop NYE @ The Troxy
East London's legendary theatre hosts a who's who of UK bass talent. Breaking into the mainstream this year, via his work with Jessie Ware, the irrepressible Julio Bashmore writes infectious house cuts you'd have to have been christened Gideon not to enjoy. Add that to the DJ tag-team of Jackmaster and Oneman and your feet will be aching into February. The tear-jerking garage of Deadboy promises to leave your emotions similarly shattered. Info here.
Four Tet, Steffi & Robert Hood @ Fabric
Godzilla club Fabric wheels out the big guns for the big occasion. Is there really anything left to say about Four Tet? Let's just say if you haven't yet seen London's best producer there is no better time. Steffi curves the trend for Berlin techno DJs to be stern sourpusses with her poppy and melodic sound — "Sadness" is everything the title suggests. Finally Robert Hood, of shadowy Detroit collective Underground Resistance fame, dusts off his uptempo floorplan moniker — so expect appropriate soulful disco vibes for the occasion. Info here.
Regulate presents Swamp 81 @ The Lightbox
It seems weird to miss dubstep when it is omnipresent these days. But honestly, only Swamp 81 comes close to capturing the spirit of those early days, combining radical sounds with real menace. While the style has evolved, each release promises a trip into uncharted waters. The label caps off a fine year at the Lightbox with the boss Loefah, Instra:Mental better half Boddika and MC-cum-producer Chunky on hand to guide us into the darkness. Info here
Secretsundaze NYE @ The Bussey Building
Could this be the best party South of the river? If we're making lists of 2012, Andrés' "New For U" single would be right on top — a string-drenched giddy piece of house from a long-ignored great. One Dutchie that we wouldn't advise passing on is Rotterdam's Martyn — the über-producer looks to show us what he has in store for next year. Fellow countryman Trevino brings some orange support. Info here.
Simian Mobile Disco vs. Hercules & Love Affair @ XOYO
East London's premier clubbing venue continues to celebrate its refit with an undeniably crowd pleasing bill. We've drifted from Simian Mobile Disco since our neon glo-paint ran dry, but new album Unpattern's bassy house-swing sees them keeping pace with the new pack admirably. Hercules & Love Affair will keep you dancing like it's a sweaty evening in late 70s New York. Addison Groove's frantic footwork round off a class-A bill. Info here.
Trouble Vision & Tief NYE @ Corsica Studios
Corsica Studios brings some of its biggest headliners of 2012 for a greatest hit sets of sorts, bringing midsummer vibes to a no doubt miserable evening. From sunny Barcelona, John Talabot’s "ƒIN" album was one of the year's highlights. So too were the early-90s rave cuts of Ireland's Bicep — expect a lot more of both in 2013. Move D at Corsica earlier in the year treated us to one of the most uplifting sets we’ve heard in an age — expect a few revelations if he manages the feat again. Info here.
Anything we've missed? Let us know in the comments!
Still going? New Year's Day guide here.
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