An underground feel added to its bohemian if somewhat eccentric ethos: a particular style when it comes to offering an alternative to clubbing in the accepted sense. It works and was long awaited for and it was worth the wait. This is a party where social inter-activeness is the norm. the vibe is friendly and caring.

To a newcomer this may feel disconcerting, as the kindness is genuine. It may appear to hide, behind the smiles, a more sinister agenda but this is soon dispelled as the night settles down between two environments. A main dance room and a low ceiling chill out room with the habitual chai stall and shop.

A tribal feel exist through out. There is no fabrication or subterfuge. Drummers congregate together in groups as if performing ritual while exchanging rhythms. Poi-spinners dance and glide their UV reactive Pois to the grooves of Monkey Pilot who blends classic trance with global beats sprinkled with a large dose of anthems. including Groove Armada's Superstylin' and Banco da Gaia's Last train to Lhassa. The dance room stayed well attended through out the night.

Enriched by several generations, this is a mix of various races, creeds or professions, whether straight or new age in orientation of life style. But what is for sure is that they all hold the same ethos, and are a like-minded in the beliefs they share. There are no limits here. All is permissible. A place you can release inhibitions and leaves you free to meet strangers while expressing yourself freely in a non-judgmental dance arena where sixty year olds glide with arms in the air alongside teenagers, accompanied by their parents who reminisce a not so distant past when they first boogied at Whirly's invitation.

The 25th birthday was highlighted by Toby Marks aka Banco da Gaia who has contributed to the party for many years. Faithfully he returns to acknowledge his roots so to speak and in front of an audience who knows most of his songs by heart. His set started slowly as if in ambient mode. Progressively he increased the tempo. Banco is a fine master of the decks, who plays a mean guitar in some of his concerts; sometimes other musicians accompany him. Even his old material stays fresh in various re-interpreted mixes.

Now with Jack's residency Whirly is busy and well attended. The club unfortunately has a heat problem it needs to sorted out. It affects all parties held there. Jack's needs to rectify this sauna-like effect before someone heads out of the club in an ambulance. Short stints on the dance floor for most of the night was as much as I could suffer. It stretched many others limits too.


"Resurection?" Yes it looks like the "Mother of all parties" is back. Looking young for it's 25 years. This is not a banging party. It has a different expression. It offers a forum for meeting new and challenging people, whose lives are amazing, but who on the other hand appear to be quite sane and well grounded in Babylon's survival game. This is a rave for pagan celebration. For releasing stress in a light hedonistic group to the tribal sounds of trance, Goa and global grooves.
© Le Mufti
Whirl-Y-Gig
Peter Galbavy galleries