Mr. Scruff (Andrew Carthy) has been entertaining the masses with his special brand of friendly DJing since the mid-90s. Famed for his ability to get feet moving and bodies twisting, his nights regularly sell out, as people know they’re guaranteed a good time, like at London’s KOKO on Saturday, February 18th.
A large venue to fill, the Camden party spot did feel distinctly empty for the first couple of hours, but by 11pm KOKO had filled up nicely, and most people there had joined the dance floor rather than standing at the side trying to look cool. Anyone not dancing was at the bar or at the pop-up teashop selling, among other delights, Mr. Scruff’s own brand tea.
The music ranged from house to Motown to more salsa-infused tracks. All undercut by infectious beats, the dance floor remained lively throughout the night. Scruff has honed his DJing over the past fifteen-odd years and knows what to play to keep the crowd happy. Cartoon images, penned by Mr. Scruff himself, were projected on screens either side of the decks, just in case the crowd got bored of dancing and needed alternative entertainment. Sometimes a bit of a student-orientated venue (with all the chaos this can bring), KOKO seemed a lot more mature that night, but by no means any less fun. People danced not to be seen, but because they couldn’t help but move to the well-chosen tunes. Everything was gratefully received, nothing more so than Scruff’s own music, which caused cheers and even wilder dancing.
Mr. Scruff played an epic six-hour set, so even though there were a few lulls, they can be easily forgiven. The tea, the projected images and the willingness of the audience to dance immediately on arrival made this an amazing night. It’s clear to see why Scruff’s nights are so popular, it would be hard to find a more fun and friendly atmosphere.
