Tunnel X Brainiac: Kable Club takeover
- Will & Connie
- Apr 7
- 4 min read
Updated: 6 days ago
Watch the Feature video below 👇
C: We had the pleasure of joining the Brainiac crew at Kable Club on March 27th, showcasing true local pedigree such as Metrodome. He’s a proper legend in Manchester, perhaps known most notably for securing a Sankeys residency at the baby age of 12! We mainly expected some Jungle selections as a whole. Still, with a headliner like Metrodome, known for his expansive discovery across multiple genres, we knew it would be a night of surprises. We were not disappointed.
W: Indeed, we were not! I’ve been especially looking forward to this as the first gig I went to after joining Acid Rain was the Brainiac boys’ first gig at Kable Club featuring Samurai Breaks. This was just over a year ago now, and I immediately knew that Brainiac would be one to watch for the future. Here we are in the future, and Brainiac is still killing it!
C: Before we jump too far into some of my favourite elements of the night (like Will’s killer dance moves), we must touch on the loss of the beloved Old Abbey Taphouse. The originally intended venue of the night hosted its last event in mid-February, with owners voicing financial struggle as the cause of closure. It’s becoming more apparent that drinking culture is changing for one, plus the monetisation of expression, dance and club culture has evolved into something that serves the beast of capitalism like none before. Without igniting a fat, political, nightmarish rant, let’s agree that attending local events has never been more critical.
W: We’ve been lucky enough to start covering some significant events at Acid Rain, but these show-stoppers couldn’t exist without small venues for new artists to build their craft. Obviously, the industry has to change to fit the new world we find ourselves in, so get out there and help shape live music!
C: Without grassroots collectives, we wouldn’t have had so much fun on Thursday with the Brainiac squad; it’s as simple as that. Now let’s get into it.
C: Thursday, if you’ve never been to Kable Club, let’s set the scene. Think intimate, blackout and LOUD in the best of ways. You’re about a gun finger away from the decks at the front and a couple more events away from permanent ear damage, so bring your buds.
W: I can confirm my ears were ringing after, though I did succumb to the call of the void at one point and put my head in a cab so it’s mainly my fault.
C: Grab yourself a can from the bar, or a water if you had work on Friday like me and join one of the most wholesome dancefloors I’ve been on in a hot minute. With smiling faces all around, we all remarked that the vibes of the space were reminiscent of the local, community-driven and genuinely passionate events we reminisce on from years gone by.
W: Yeah, it was a great crowd for a Thursday night and kudos again to Brainiac for getting it together despite the date changes. For gigs like this, you really feel like you are a part of something. It feels like a movement for the passionate, building momentum.
C: Big-up to the group behind Brainiac, namely Joe Simpson, Liam White and Oscar Wheatley. Each of the boys knows what they’re doing both behind the desk and behind the decks. I often think of a dancefloor as this type of independent life form, and those hosting events, along with their sets, cultivate, propagate and nurture its energy. In that sense, we could look at Joe, Liam and Oscar as decently green-thumbed, since the floor that night really was giving LIFE.
W: Beautifully put! It’s hard not to get involved in a gig like that. Brainiac’s energy is infectious, and even though jungle isn’t my favourite dance genre, the night was packed with wall-to-wall bangers. I think the best jungle I’ve ever heard has been with Brainiac.
C: As far as the music is concerned, we were all looking forward to Metrodome headlining, but seeing Oscar, also known as Sweetly, ‘the guy with the pads,’ was an especially sweet treat. Sweetly brings a unique flare to their sets by incorporating live breakbeats, providing an impressive and energetic performance. His early 90s Jungle and old-school hardcore influences were clear as day and welcomed with open arms by the crowd, made up of clearly authentic appreciators of classic electronic roots.
W: Yeah, that was such a nice surprise. These boys have true musicianship as part of their foundations, which I think is so important! Little known fact: Sweetly also plays a traditional Irish drum in a folk three-piece! I’d love to see that; I wonder if he slips an amen break in there sometimes…?
C: We’re definitely getting that on the calendar, Will. That sounds sick!
You can find the Brainiac squad @brainiac.records on Instagram, so make sure to give them a follow. We can assure you that you don’t wanna miss their next event…
Huge thank you again to the boys. Here’s to the next one.
As always, We will see you at the front! Follow Us ACID RAIN
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