TuneLab
Zubz
Keep Hush Live Manchester: SOUP Takeover
Manchester's SOUP takeover demanded a certain level of eclecticism, and Zubz answered with a set that felt like rifling through a particularly well-curated record bag from 2002. We were all there, squinting at the booth, trying to place that familiar synth line as it cut through the humid air. The vibe was pure, unadulterated dancefloor nostalgia, powered by a sound system that did justice to every soaring lead and four-to-the-floor kick. Technically, this was a ride averaging 142.6 BPM, firmly rooted in the 12A key, which allowed for seamless transitions between trance, house, and garage.
The energy profile, with 63% in the lows, gave it a warm, bass-heavy thrust, while the mids carried the melodic hooks that defined the era. Zubz's mixing was confident and functional, prioritising flow over flashy tricks, letting anthems breathe and build naturally. For the crate diggers, opening with Michael Gray's 'The Weekend' was a stroke of genius, immediately locking the room into a classic house groove. Dropping JÄXM's 'Are U' provided a slick, modern UK garage pivot, while the inclusion of Sash!'s 'Stay' and Nalin & Kane's 'Beachball (Tall Paul Remix)' were unabashed, hands-in-the-air trance moments that we're never too cool to enjoy.
Prime Mover's 'Perfect Organism' was a deeper, driving techno cut that showed the set's tougher underbelly. The journey from the opening track's familiar piano riff, through the peak-time rush of 'Beachball', and landing on Asquith's sprawling 'Clapton Rider' as a marathon closing track was a testament to the enduring power of a well-told musical story.