INTERNATIONALLY renowned DJ superstar Judge Jules led an hour-long set of dance music in the historic Warrington Fishmarket in Golden Square last night.
The iconic DJ seamlessly mixes the music of Bryan Adams and Nivarna, to name two examples, with contemporary dance beats.
The wrought iron balustrades of the old building were brought firmly into the 21st Century with a dazzling laser and smoke show which added to the impact of the music.
The rave scene passed me by, I’m more of a Friday night at Legends kind of a teenager not a Saturday night cool raver.
Warrington was famously at the heart of the rave scene in the 80s, along with Manchester’s Hacienda and city centre clubs like Sankeys.
But what an experience for this middle-aged novice who’s typically more likely to listen to classical music nowadays. The Fishmarket was pounding to the bass for hours on end in an event brought to town by the Golden Square and HC Promotions watched by a crowd of hundreds of adoring fans.
Until he gets behind the decks and works his magic, Judge Jules just looks like an ordinary guy in a white t-shirt with black writing and glasses.
Then midway through his hour-long set, he stepped out from behind his DJ booth and took a selfie with the rapturous crowd who cheered with delight, arms raised. Throughout his set, he encouraged the audience by engaging with them by cupping his ear to get them to cheer and pretending to throw an invisible ball into the crowd.
As for the crowd, they waved glow sticks, and wore bucket hats, sequined tops and glittery faces. People wore lights on their heads like crowns as they danced and cheered with passion.
I managed to briefly get on stage to take a picture of the crowd below. It was a great moment to see it from the artist’s perspective. Hundreds of faces basking in the glow of the music and lights.
DJs Fergie and Manchester’s Ricky Isted were great support acts with their mixology seamlessly melding the music into one constant sound. The evening ended with an energetic performance from Symphonic Ibiza an orchestra whose musicians played familiar tunes which kept the audience entertained and engaged. It was directed by Steve Etherington collaborating with renowned club DJ Andy Joyce, who has had residencies at Ibiza super clubs like Pacha, Eden and Amnesia, among others.
The classical musicians have performed in the Golden Square in the past three years in collaboration with Having Judge Jules performing was a huge coup for the town.
He’s been DJing since 1987 and is a huge household name who has influenced a generation on Radio 1 and Kiss FM.
His weekly show, the Global Warmup, is enduringly popular and gets 750,000 downloads every time it drops. It is broadcast worldwide across 80 stations.
Dance music unites the generations. There was a young boy with his mum having the time of his life, dancing to his favourite tunes.
He eventually was allowed to make a brief appearance next to Judge Jules in the DJ booth and beamed with delight when he returned to the front of the crowd with his mum.
There were retired people with glitter on their faces and arms in the air all united by the love of the bass and DJ Jules.
A truly memorable evening of light and music.
