Review: Kinky Malinki, Matter

REVIEW
Kinky Malinki celebrated its 11th birthday at Matter in The O2, on Saturday, with a spectacular performance by some of world's best DJs.

The night promised to bring Miami and Ibiza to the Docklands, with guest appearances from Eddie Thoneick, pictured, Ian Carey and live PA with Kelly Barnes.

And the promoters did just that, providing exceptional sets with the DJs pumping out feel good tunes over hard-hitting beats. The performers lived up to expectations and had the audience smitten.

However, the evening hadn't started off well with party-goers waiting in a 2,000-strong queue that snaked around The O2 arena.

Once we were finally inside, excitement crept up as music penetrated the cloakroom area. But this was quickly subdued by a much younger crowd than expected packed into every inch of space.

In reality, the night was dominated by the herding of clubbers as we were unable to move freely due to the queues of people battling to get from one end of the venue to the other.

With only one large dance area downstairs, the walkways and bar areas spread across three floors were packed to the brim, leaving no option to take a break and enjoy the sounds with seating only offered in the VIP section.

Any attempt to stand with friends and dance the night away were dashed by endless amounts of people shoving past.

Service in the club was slow, with one bar with two staff attempting to cater for more than 150 thirsty clubbers.

Kinky Malinki has a reputation of wowing clubbers with extravagant nights, offering up the best acts the scene has to offer. And in Miami or Ibiza I'm sure the promoters cater for that. At Matter, unfortunately, the disorganised, over-crowded venue let the night down.

Another place and this night could have been fantastic - the club just didn't do it justice.