With a name like Glitterbox, it's no surprise that the floor of the disco bus is already riddled with different shades of glitter and sequins as we jump on board and make our way to Space, but it's nothing compared to what the Terrace itself will see.
With the club having its opening over and done with, fewer rooms are open which allows a more intimate show, and intimate it is. I'm welcomed to the floor by Chic's ‘I Want Your Love' and it's hard to miss one of the main attractions - no one has a chance of not joining in - as the most glamorous, 6ft drag queens, quilted in all things shiny, separate the crowd to perform the sassiest catwalk imagined.
Dimitri from Paris lives up to his sophisticated name as he takes to the decks donning a bow tie and a yellow knit. The drag queens start to synchronise and the night has officially started when Todd Terje & the Olsens, ‘Disco Circus', is chosen as his opening track. The dancers, now a mix of cross-dressers and women who look like they've just come from the '70s, have spread themselves across the club, some clambering across the DJ booth to ensure all eyes are on them.
El Salon's walls are echoing with the slow jazz of The Far Out Monster Disco Orchestra's ‘Step Into My Life'. There are clubbers dressed in the wackiest of clothes perched on every level of the lounge area like goats. My ears feel refreshed as funk infused guitar riffs float between each disco ball hanging from the walls.
Dimitri cleverly starts to end his set with King Bee's ‘Back By Dope Demand', teasing us ready for Kenny Dope, but before he can, there's a formation on the stage and Barbara Tucker insists we all raise our hands as she soulfully performs the live version of Hardrives' ‘Deep Inside'. The energy in the room is almost too much to handle, it's impossible not to wear a face aching grin as Dope introduces a classic fist pumping house vibe, and an eagle-like dancer spreads his golden tassled arms, christening the crowd with only the best vibes.
Dope plays a track I've been waiting 20 years to dance to, with an approving head bob by Todd Terry who's stood next him in the booth, Earth People's ‘Dance' is played, and just like that, I lose myself completely. It's time for the the king of old school rave to grace stage, and already pumped from the set before, there's no better way to greet Todd Terry than the blasting sound of ‘O Fortuna'. Terry gives us no mercy as he plays tune after tune, Maurice's ‘This Is Acid' supplies us with the best acid house and just about everyone in the club is swinging their limbs as manically as possible. If I could write this review with a 400-word written scream, I would. Glitterbox was by far, my favourite night of my whole time on the island.
WORDS | Ruby Munslow PHOTOGRAPHY | La Skimal
