The Juice Box

Rating: 5 out of 5 bottles of water!

by Jim Hauck

Perhaps the most special indulgence of a bank holiday weekend in London, is the chance to double dip in the pleasures of the good times at the Royal Vauxhall Tavern (RVT), and it is in the thinking that I present a review that encapsulates the first bank holiday weekend in London, and the first weekend of 2011 at the Royal Vauxhall Tavern.

With each bank holiday (3 day weekend) the RVT offers a Sunday night party that goes from 2PM to 2AM and a Monday night party that goes from 2PM to Midnight (makes sure you get out in time to go to work on Tuesday). Each day brings you a slightly different crowd as well, with the Sunday crowd often being younger and a group that is heading out to other destinations after a warm up dance at the RVT and the Monday crowd being more of the regulars who are faithful to the Tavern week over week. It is my clear belief that the RVT is a little slice of heaven on earth.

The Dame Edna Experience Sunday show this weekend was classic Jonathan Hellyer style. Lots of great humor, amazing vocal impressions and laughs all around. I have said in many reviews that I firmly believe Jonathan is having the best time when he looses his own composure on stage and has to turn away and laugh as well. The Sunday show can be a bit different, and after an amazing New Year’s Eve performance, it is wonderful to see this performer continue to pull out one after another, with fresh, fun, and relevant humor, plus amazing vocals. The Monday show was full of love songs of all types, brilliantly woven with comic tapestry. All shows close with an encore and revival of “I Just Wanna Dace” to get the crowd worked up and ready dance tho the amazing tracks that lie ahed.

Simon LeVans probably has the role of warming up the crowd from 2PM until the show. Simon is an amazing and talented DJ with a real drive to get the crowd going. Of course you have to understand that Simon plays to a mostly transient crowd for the first couple hours as people queue up to get a wrist band and often leave to get something to eat and come back closer to show time. None the less, Simon lays down some amazing high energy tracks to get the feet moving, the body swaying and the blood flowing. Following the show, the one and only Andy “Almighty” Wetson takes over the decks to start his magical mixing that is a one of a kind style. Layering song upon song, you can often hear the conversation going on between two different tracks with a tease of one and a full version of another. Andy played his amazing 5 song Kylie mega mix, some no other DJ would event try, and the crowd just eats it up. Sean Sirrs wraps up the evening with his gorgeous style of trance and deeper sounds, all still given that special Tavern love and attention to vocals and high energy beats. Sunday, with the longer hours, brings the additional talents of Rob C, who also substitutes for the other DJs on occasion. Rob C, also an amazingly talented DJ, seamlessly flowing his music mastery into the others. The amazing group of DJs here, while each very independent in their styles, all create a gorgeous tapestry of music to make a bank holiday weekend something to remember.

While from the outside this little bar is unassuming, on the inside it is full of fun, a great crowd, and no attitude. This institution in Vauxhall is the only place I want to be when I go to a Bank Holiday in London. The crowd is welcoming and sing along to all of thir favorite anthems, enough to raise the roof. Next time you are in town, make it your destination as well.

Be Sociable, Share!

• 

Tags: Andy Almighty, Dame Edna Experience, Jonathan Hellyear, Jonathan Hellyer, Rob C, RVT, Sean Sirrs, Simon Le Vans