Bushwacka – Margate’s Closing Party

It’s been a certified scorcher of a summer, hasn’t it? 2022 has delivered that most rare of things an actual English summer, record-breaking temperatures and a heatwave that has caused us to swear randomly throughout the day or declare, to nobody in particular, ‘bloody hot, isn’t it?’.

The sizzling summer has only intensified the popularity of our idyllic Isle, with hordes of city-dwellers descending onto the beaches that line the Kentish coast. The weather has no doubt made Margate even more alluring and enticing this summer but some of those who made the pilgrimage to the seaside would have done so even in gale-force winds and the usual summertime drizzle. The reason behind their pilgrimage can be accredited to Margate’s musical menu!

Since the freedoms of old took hold, we’ve rejoiced in partying in a restriction-free fashion, mask-less and together. Live performance and music have been at the top of people’s priorities as we’ve craved connection… without a wi-fi connection. Thankfully for us locally here in Margate, the town has offered a melange of musical treats as its various venues have served up some sensational stuff this summer.

The sublime Soul Festival aside I suppose Dreamland’s Summer Series is the obvious place to start as that’s where the big household names traditionally head and this year was no different from Noel Gallagher and his High-Flying Birds, to Simply Red, Sugarbabes and the man everyone wants to hear seven days a week… Mr Craig David. Lesser-known names but no lesser talent are constantly on offer at one of the South East’s greatest independent music venues ELSEWHERE. Venues such as Elsewhere should be cherished and supported as they give the alternative and up-and-coming acts of the world a stage. It’s the kind of place that Margate’s favourite Indie Band turned Hoteliers, The Libertines, would have performed when they were starting out. The Albion Room owners didn’t let the summer heatwave pass them by without treating their local fans to a gig, the Cliftonville bandstand had 300 people descend upon it on an August Wednesday afternoon. The band members really are loved here in the GATE, they’ve been adopted by the people of Margate as ‘our local celebs’, particularly Pete who is still treated like a rock god, the women in attendance were wolf whistling, screaming and cheering his name with such infatuation. In fact, the way they were staring at Pete is probably similar to how he stared at that famous Dalby Breakfast… eyes full of appetite.

Then there’s the Sun Deck where on any given weekend this summer you could have found trendy types sipping and swaying to electronic music, for similar ‘vibes’ see Faith In Strangers, where DJs bop in front of a beautiful backdrop of sunset and sea. The sun may have finally set on our summer but local promoter Dominic Johnson wants the people of Margate to come out in force one more time for Margate’s Summer Closing Party.

Bushwacka! DJ and producer has been prolific in the scene since the late 1980s with his summers involving sets in Ibiza, boat parties, festivals and performances in various sun-soaked techno-loving party islands of Europe!

The Bushwacka closing party is set in one of Margate’s most iconic buildings the Old Kent Margate, a favourite with foodies and fans of Gina’s buns the venue doubles up well as an events space, two successful NYE parties organised by Mr Johnson’s Likeminded Music have proofed that to be the case, with another booked in for this December. Likeminded Music has been putting on events for over a decade across Kent and in the top clubs in the capital, but Dominic’s excitement for this particular one is paramount and that is partly due to the headliner. “Bringing a big name such as Bushwacka! To my home town is brilliant. It shows how far Margate has come, and the appetite that there is for electronic dance music… and music of all sorts”.

For those Techno and Acid-House fans amongst our readership, a niche pairing admittedly, Bushwacka! Will be well known as the DJ and producer who has been prolific in the scene since the late 1980s. His normal summers involve sets in Ibiza, boat parties, festivals and performances in various sun-soaked techno-loving party islands of Europe but even Bushwacka! has heard of Margate’s Musical Menu and he wants to be on it.

If you want to serve up some shapes then note that Bushwacka! comes to town this Saturday September 3rd, Tickets available at – https://www.skiddle.com/whats-on/Margate/The-Old-Kent-Market/Margate-Summer-Closing-Party-with-Bushwacka/36142423/

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