- After being introduced to the Cutloose way of life just 3 months ago I haven't looked back. Their flyers alone speak volumes to me, listing only the headline act—for which there is only ever one—against the artist's associated artwork. The residents, who I presume play a big hand in running the night, take a humble backseat and are only mentioned on the website. Like so many great parties, Cutloose seem to focus almost solely on the travelling artist and creating a great vibe for them.
It's because of this—and memories of events past—that I was willingly driven from my Friday night slumber and out into the Manchester dark. Familiar house sounds were rolling out from the Roadhouse speakers when I arrived; the crowd was relatively small at the time with a few familiar faces holding fast at the bar. I turned round after procuring some drinks to a changed venue as a gaggle of people were clambering through the front door. The club filled instantly and the atmosphere suddenly leapt from that of a subdued gathering of friendly fellows to something more akin to a Skins party montage.
Residents Mark and Wes looked like they were having the time of their life at this point, twiddling knobs and smiling widely. I only really caught Wes' warm-up, which was ripe with groove drunk basslines that were neatly pieced together. I wish I'd got down earlier so I could have heard more from the local contingency but sadly the financial implications of being in such close proximity to a bar so early were too great.
Mark E came on about 40 minutes after I arrived and started with a soul-influenced little number that sounded like it had come straight out of New Orleans. I'd read online that his sets are hypnotic, which in some respects I agree with although I'm not sure it's a word I would have used. He was most definitely eclectic; playing all manner of house music in what was a technically immaculate display. I was gripped by the first half-hour, wavered slightly during the next due to my own narrow minded tastes but was then at the front, elbows waving for his last hour. This was due to the slightly housier sound from about 2 AM onwards, which was still reminiscent of the classic soul and R&B vibe from earlier.
Manchester has seen some dark times over the past two years for club nights but with help from nights like Cutloose the city is become a feverishly fun place to be at the weekend, with guaranteed good times to be had. They have Mark Seven's coming up next month, Theo Parrish in July and a disco extravaganza in between and I've no doubt that I'll be at all of them.