We've been very fortunate over the past 20 years to have been able to record some great sets from a wide array of artists both local and international in origin and witness some unforgettable nights while at it. Over those years we've collected a number of first's like an artist playing in Chicago or the U.S. for the first time or the first time a venue was used for a underground event. Along the way we've also recorded a few final or last nights at a club or venue before they closed their doors for good. This post is from the latter and it's by an great artist that we can also call a friend at the closing of a Detroit institution. John Acquaviva live at "The Last Dance" Motor Detroit 6 year anniversary and club closing party.
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| John during his set. |
This is another set from the archives that I've been meaning to post for awhile now but kept getting pushed back for one reason or another. That changed when over the summer of 2015 I read a piece by Michaelangelo Matos on Redbull Music Academy's site named "Nightclubbing: An oral history of Detroit's Motor". In it he spoke to those involved with the clubs success and gave some of it's history. But more recently after attending one of the "Chicago vs Detroit" Boiler Room streams that took place here, I thought it was time to finally put the set and the story behind the night out. Recording this set came about from an long relationship that we've had with John over the years. We've been recording his sets here in Chicago since 1999 and have made multiple trips to Detroit to record him at Motor during that time as well. John had talked about us coming up to record this show a few weeks prior during one of his well attended residency nights at Smartbar in Chicago where he would regularly play seven to eight hour sets. Being that the The Datman couldn't make the trip, I went and recorded the night myself.
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| Flyer from the night. |
This mix was a celebration of the music and sets that John had played over the years at Motor. As you can tell from the setlist below, it's was an journey filled with great music along the way. But not only did he have a some great memories at the club but has deep roots in the city as a whole as well. Between the various club, party and New Year eve events he's done, running his own Definitive record label and Plus 8 Records along side Richie Hawtin, John has had a great love for the city as has the city for him. As far as this night goes, the energy in the club was intense. John fed off the crowd as they took in every track that he played, clapping and singing along the way. Especially when "All Night Long" and his encore with "One More Time" came on. As special as this set is, the real gem here is the final ten minutes or so of the recording. I usually let the tape roll (I was still recording with the DAT Recorder then) past the last track of the night just in case someone would get on the mic to say a few words. With the night being what it was, I knew someone would here.
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| Crowd during the night. |
After the music stops you hear head of operations Dan Sordyl get on the mic and thank everyone in attendance. In the background you can hear John saying "One more song", "One More Song"! I'm not sure if they let him or he just put it on but Daft Punks "One More Time" as his encore to a cheering crowd. Afterwards Dan gets back on and says a few more words then Acquaviva takes the mic and thanks Dan and Detroit for everything. I believe Motor Booker Jon Ozias gets on and gives a bit of the history on how the club started and mentioned those involved with its success over the years. Mike "Agent x" Clark gets on and says some words as did Derek Plaslaiko before I stopped recording. It was a somber mood as the lights went on all around. The crowd didn't want to leave as everyone there knew it was the end of a era for Detroit and wanted to take in as much as they could. From what I've seen or should I say not seen, this will be the first time that this set has been posted anywhere. John did however want me to send copies soon after the night to someone who wanted to play the set at their wedding reception. That must have been one hell of a party!
Setlist for the night:
Tim Deluxe Feat. Sam Obernik - Just Won't Do.
The Biginerz - Reckless Girl.
DJ Gregory - Tropical Soundclash.
Shakedown - At Night. Kid Cream Remix.
O'Jays I Love Music - Unknown Remix.
LCD Sound System - Beat Connection. Disco Dub.
Jefferson Airplane VS The Boogie Pimps - Somebody To Love. Saltshaker Remix.
Moguai - U Know Y. Punx Squad Remix.
16th Element - Warp.
Timo Maas - O.C.B.
Oricom - The Intersonic.
Galaxy 2 Galaxy Feat. Atlantis - Transition.
Deepswing - In The Music. Acapella.
The Supermen Lover - The Player.
Delicious Inc. - Love Me Or Leave Me. 15000 Dollars Mix.
Lionel Richie - All Night Long. White Label Mix.
Capricorn - 20hz.
Michael Jackson. Wanna Be Startin' Something.
DJ Rolando - Jaguar.
Roland Clark - Speak To Me. Acapella.
Blunted Dummies - House Music For All.
Saba - Die Strasse. Jeenie Green Remix.
Romanthony's Nightvision - Never Fuck. Vocal Mix.
Tony Johns Edits - Erotic City.
DJ Pippi Presents Natural Colours - Feel It. Pleasure Team Perverse Remix.
Huntemann. Disco Tech.
Fingers Inc. - My House. Acapella.
Fat Boy Slim - Star 69.
First Mic Check.
Daft Punk - One More Time.
Second Mic Check.
Special thanks to John Acquaviva and Rodostina Dovcheva.
Hope this finds you all well.
Cheers!
Gus "Audio"
© Live Sets Chicago. 2015.
