14/02/16: Valentines night and I’m headed for a romantic night out in Vauxhall!
Romantic may not be the first word you think of when heading to Orange, but nostalgic? Yes. Orange is the longest running after hours party still going in the capital and so we’ve all got a good story or two to tell about a Sunday night shindig. 2am and we are met at the door by resident Orange Nation host James Herne who instantly puts a smile on my face and welcomes us into Fire’s legendary main room. The club has had many facelifts over the years but it really does look incredible. With the ‘no expense spared’ décor and fantastic sound and lighting rig you really know that you are right in the centre of London’s clubbing scene. Hi Fi Sean is warming up the dancefloor with his deep house mixes, as the laser lights hypnotize the crowd. We move into room two, the Fire Lounge, to hear the sounds of ‘Disco Smack’. I love the bootlegs mixing up some fantastic Disco classics ‘Born to be alive’ with ‘Loveshack’ and lots of Donna Summer! 3am and the main dance floor gets lifted to another level as celebrity DJ Fat Tony takes to the decks. As always his track selection wows the clubbers with just the right mix of Old Skool meets New Skool, I go into a world of my own as he drops new house mix of Kelis ‘Milkshake’, one of my all-time favourites. Just when we thought the party couldn’t get any better an acrobat falls from the Ceiling as tonight’s show begins and scene legend Glendora lights up the podium with her funky moves. Orange Nation – you’ve done it again!
Fire, 39 Parry Street, SW8
Words by Jason Prince
Photos by Joel Ryder
