Matter

Awesome, matter is back in the better prettier form of Proud2! Same amazing sound system but the dance floor has gotten bigger, the ambiance prettier and the transport easier. Woo hoo ... for a big night out this is as good as it gets.

I've been immersing myself too much recently in gay culture, so wanted to take a step back and re-enter the world of the 'super club' where you're well versed in getting frisked, pimpin' your ass for a pinchin' and generally accepting you're the meat in an sweaty sandwich. So with this in mind, I trundled off to Matter (aka world's end) to watch a Frankie Knuckles set, whilst reams of Lady Gaga fans stormed the o2 gates, kicking myself even harder I hadn't bagged a cheap ticket.


Into the club and it's expansive, annoying the second room wasn't open. The crowd was certainly chavier than I expected, the set funkier than I anticipated but alas, you can bring the boys to the club but all I could see in my peripheral vision was the hottest girl the wrong side of the Thames dancing in a skinny vest for four hours flat. Gutter, head out, working on it. A Benny Benassi moment if ever there was one.

Oh what a club!


It's seperated over different floors on the bottom floor you have the main DJ in a booth and the dance floor infront of him playing House music all night (the dance floor is so busy - as in back to back literally) you have cigarette machines and a merchandise counter and a bar also. There are tables and places to sit too. The club and bar and chairs are all made out of concrete but very modern. There's also a smoking area on this level.


Go up a level and there is a Room 2 which has a different DJ in this is also the same style music and busy too. There is a toilet on this level though beware you walk in one door and it splits in 2 sides which you can see down both and that's men and womens hmmm. another bar on this level and a balcony over looking the dance floor and again a seating area.


You can go to level 3 if your VIP for VIP you have to have a minimum spend of £500 per table, which believe me you do, you get waitress service and a nice leather booth. The table opens up and it's filled with ice and bottles of vodka or champagne or whatever you order. There is also your own private VIP dancefloor with disco lights and your own toilet - not split.


There is a lift for anyone who can't manage the stairs.


Brilliant club brilliant night would recommend to any lover of house and dance music

I went here on Friday 19th Feb to see Faithless and whilst Faithless where amazing I found that the club was not. Arriving at North Greenwich station a shuttle bus took us to the club which was handy as it was in the middle of nowhere, arriving we went through metal detectors, I had my chewing gum confiscated and my bra was nearly removed with the thorough body search. Going in to the club I was sure there where more body guards than customers, this doesn't create the best atomsphere. I found the club quite basic and cold and the dance floor was somewhere to be avoided as it was evident that it was a pulling floor. Maybe this is was large commercial clubs are about but I certainly won't be returning.

I had mixed feelings about Matter after going on its first weekend. Though I felt it really lacked atmosphere I also realise that that ought to be expected in a club so freshly minted, so this may change once the whole place has been worn in a bit.


Likewise, I can see how the body kinetic dance floor would really add to the experience, it wasn't entirely pleasant when paired with music that I wasn't a particular fan of.


What probably won't get any better is the ridiculous trek from the main entrance of the O2. By the time we got there I was so footsore that the last thing I wanted was thumping under my soles.

I loved Matter. I really did! Despite the kind of crowd that went there, and the terrible location, I loved the bodykinetic dance floor and the great line-up. And now that it's closed down, I'm incredibly sad. London's lost so many great clubs since I moved over (no correlation... I hope!) and this just might be the death blow!

Attention all dance music fans!- this is the club we have all been waiting for, gone are the sweaty club nights in some dingy basement!. enter matter- a brand new club in the heart of the 02 arena. With regular sets from dj's such as eric prydz, and paul van dyke, this is one club that you have to go to. Don't be fooled by first impressions- sure, it may look small on the outside but once you get inside you suddenly realise just how vast this place is- stand in the doorway by the dj booth on the mainfloor when the place is empty, then you will see just what i mean. With 3 floors, and a bar on each, there is plenty of room. you will also notice a walkway going over the top of the main dancefloor (don't worry, it won't break!!). What you don't realise is that matter actually has two rooms- both having dj's and a bar. the sound system is immensely impressive, with crisp clear sound coming from all speakers, and bass that goes through you!. the lighting system is also very impressive. You can't see all the lights until they come on- and when they do it brings back the good ole rave days!- especially in the second room (same floor as toilets, carry straight on). whre they have some really weird, although impressive lighting.
One thing that strikes you is the stage- this is where the main acts play. Thats when matter comes into its own. Ibiza?
PAH!! just go down to matter- it really does matter (excuse the pun!)

Always a bit of a mission getting there, as by the time you've trekked from North Greenwich station and through the dome of doom you pretty much just want a bit of a lie down and a tea. This combined with the thorough (though I'm sure necessary) frisking/ groping does not make for the best start


That said the space is very impressive as is the decor. And if you're going there for a gig there's plenty of options to either mooch about and watch from a balcony or join the sweaty masses near the stage.


However the sound system does not lend itself to live music and each time I've been have found it a little bit muffled. To be fair I've only ever been to live gigs there and the sound might be much better suited to a club night. Which of course in the trusted hands of sister club Fabric Matter has become synonymous with. So with consistently decent line-ups I'll reserve my judgement on the sound for now.