There’s something magically different about a North Quarter night. The energy feels warmer, deeper, more connected; and their recent session at Phonox was no exception. As the soulful melodies and deep basslines rolled out over the eternally grooving crowd, this one felt like a proper reunion.
Back after a short hiatus, The North Quarter returned to their spiritual Brixton home in some style, bringing with them a flawlessly curated lineup and the kind of vibe that reminds us why this label is so special. Sadly, TNQ’s main man Lenzman was unable to make the trip to the UK, as he continues his courageous ongoing health battle. Everyone at K Mag sends their love and support.
Saturday night was full of heartfelt support for the imprint’s chief. Vanity Roxanne wrapping up her blissful opening set with the iconic Lenzman remix of Children Of Zeus’s ‘Still Standing’ had the whole club channelling their inner Tyler Daley; a truly special moment, and one that we hope echoed back through to Amsterdam.
In true North Quarter style, each artist effortlessly fused beautiful soulful selections with just the right amount of moody, sub-heavy steppers. Echo Brown’s mesmerising set perfectly demonstrated the breadth of TNQ releases- a label that has truly mastered the equilibrium between light and dark.
Manchester’s finest, Fox, came through alongside Diemond for a brisk glide through the MC’s epic discography; the man only makes classics. Redeyes kept the vibes coming, perfectly matched by some stellar hosting from rising star Ellis Esco. With some huge releases this year on the likes of TNQ, Flexout and The Sauce Recordings, the versatile MC is certainly one to watch.
The legendary LSB was on hand to step in for Lenzman, delivering an hour of liquid gold accompanied by a generous dose of dark heavy hitters to rattle some skulls. With Fox back on mic duties, this one was never going to disappoint. FD and the one and only MC Stamina were on late duties, with FD’s unmistakable, rolling deep-end sonics carrying us through until the early hours, rounding up an astoundingly well-crafted night.
A massive shout out to Phonox as well. An intimate space fostering a palpable connection between artists and fans with an inclusive ethos, all topped off by a crisp, weighty Funktion One sound system, it’s the ideal setting for a North Quarter session. The vibes on Saturday were impeccable; the kind that remind punters why they fell in love with drum & bass in the first place.
TNQ’s return to the capital was truly testament to the incredible platform that Lenzman has built. It’s far more than just a label; it’s a movement pushing forward-thinking drum & bass, fuelled by a wonderful community of artists and fans that are united by a boundless passion for the music. These nights encapsulate everything the scene should be about. If you haven’t had the pleasure of attending a TNQ party, make sure you do.
Huge love to Lenzman and The North Quarter crew, who really did the big boss proud. You can find tickets for their next Phonox rollout here.