Review: Shanti Celeste & Peach for Spice on SZN

On Thursday, Captain Morgan’s and Foundation FM took over the Winston Theatre in Bristol Uni’s SU in the second of their Spice on SZN party series, turning unexpected spaces into pop-up clubs.

Spice on SZN kicked off in a derelict office building in Shoreditch with OK. Williams going back-to-back with C.Frim. Here in Bristol, we were graced by the presence of club icons Shanti Celeste and Peach.

London-based DJ and Foundation FM resident ELLAWEEZ was supporting, warming the crowd up with a slick blend of laid-back house selections. But the music wasn’t the only thing getting the Bristol crowd in a party mood on a Thursday night. Captain Morgan’s was supplying free drinks all night, and several care packages of burgers and fries from Bristolian junk food institution Oowee were delivered throughout the evening to keep us dancers energised – a nice touch.

The venue itself made for an interesting place for a party. The space between the theatre’s stage and the first row of seats was turned into a makeshift dancefloor, and the first few rows of theatre seats were available for those who needed to take the weight off their feet for a few moments.

When Shanti Celeste and Peach stepped up, they played a blinder of a B2B, gradually ramping up the energy until the whole room hit boiling point — literally. As the 11pm curfew neared, the theatre was sweltering, makeshift fans were working overtime, and dancers started swapping their own clothes for Spice on SZN-branded tank tops.

Free burgers, drinks and two of dance music’s best selectors going back to back on a Thursday night – what more could you ask for? Whichever city is next up on the Spice on SZN tour is in for a treat.