STAYING ahead in the nightclub game is something that TRAKS in Portrush has always been good at!
The venue was first to bring leading names such as Tiesto, Alex Kidd, Scot Project, Lisa Lashes and others in the Trance scene. On the commercial front Ian Van Dahl, Lasgo, Sash and celebrities from all the major "soaps" have graced the stage.
The
R & B scene hasn't been neglected either with the Portrush venue being the first to dedicate a room to this genre and guests included Trevor Nelson, Jaguar Skills, Matt White and Mark Devlin.
The then bible of the R & B scene, "Blues and Soul" magazine, described TRAKS as the best venue in Ireland and Kutski of BBC Radio 1 further compounded this when witnessing the performance of Bobby Analog when he visited the venue earlier this year.
Patterns constantly change however and clubbers are now going to Festivals where they can see a plethora of DJs at one event. The next generation in the nightclubs are decidedly mainstream in their tastes preferring the likes of Akon, Ironik, Beyonce and Lady Gaga and it is with this is in mind that TRAKS is changing course somewhat.
"We'll still be presenting big Trance DJs – indeed, Scot Project and Alex Kidd are not that far off – but Saturdays are going to lean towards a raunchier, funkier club scene with Guest R &B DJs, dancers and promotions that will give the clubber something to go away with – thus the Sean Paul Album promotion coming up," said Brian Moore of TRAKS.
"But it won't be R&B all night. House, trance, commercial, evergreens etc will all be catered for in the other rooms as always.
And the new concept TRAKS won't be hiking up prices.
"The club policy has always been to keep admission prices as low as possible so nothing will change there. We're also looking at loyalty admission deals etc," added Brian.
"And our door policy will stay the same as always. It's over eighteens with a recognised form of ID where requested"
The gorgeous Miss Que Tee is also lined up but the opening night features a couple of "big hitters" with Artful Dodger and Cutmaster Swift flying in to do the honours.
Bobby Analog is the ideal resident combining skills and tunes honed from his experiences in America making that which went before seem quite amateurish.
The TV cameras are in the venue on Saturday 1st August to witness the events and the club is keen to emphasise that those who are daring in their dress are especially welcome.
Fitted in among all the above is the heavily anticipated return of SASH! on Saturday 22nd August for which the venue is giving a Beach Party theme.
Those who respond with appropriate dress will find themselves with envelopes which could contain a free drink, free tickets and other goodies. SASH! arrive with a complete entourage who all absolutely adore the venue and with the Beach Party theme it's sure to add to a summer programme that will be the talk of the social scene.
Saturday, August 1 - ROOM 1 Artful Dodger, Cutmaster Swift and Bobby Analog. ROOM 2 Steve Graham. ROOM 3 Brian Moore and David Mac. Saturday, August 8 – Miss Que Tee; Saturday, August 15 – Sean Paul Album Promotion with DJ Match Stick. Saturday, August 22 – SASH!