- The situation felt somehow ominous. The week before Christmas, news had broken that fabric's license was under review, with imminent closure a distinct possibility. Panic had set in for fans of the club the world over. Call it great timing, but in the face of such adversity there couldn't have been a better way to show resilience than to immediately have two world-class guest DJs headlining.
Prosumer had been billed for Room Three but was unfortunately absent due to illness. Rumour has it John Digweed nearly suffered the same fate, but thankfully he was on-time and ready for a six-hour slot in a packed Room One. He began majestically, working pensive, rolling numbers to tremendous effect on that perfectly primed soundsystem. Digweed's mixing technique reflects his years of experience: some early tracks were married together for so long and with such sophistication that they became their own wonderfully complex entity. It was a treat for the senses.
Over in the smoky abyss of Room Two, Ben Klock commanded the decks. Now a regular guest in both main rooms at fabric, he's clearly well-acquainted with the club's atmosphere and audience. On this night he was characteristically ruthless, leaving an adoring crowd begging for more by the time he finished around 6 AM.
Back in Room One, Digweed had lost some momentum. His annual residency at fabric is usually a masterclass in keeping an old style sounding fresh, but this time there were glimpses of why it has faded. Digweed's finest moments are when he disguises those progressive elements, unconsciously gripping you with an unfamiliar and understated euphoria. But on this occasion some of his breakdowns and hyper climaxes felt forced and, dare I say it, a little cheesy. He did eventually get the balance right, and fabric slipped back into something close to its best. In the best possible sense, this was business as usual at fabric, which is something to be grateful for now more than ever.