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DJ Mag Top100 Clubs
27
The Arches
14

Is there any UK city with as rich a techno history as Glasgow? Examine the history of The Arches and you'd have to conclude not. The spiritual home of Glasgow's Slam, the Soma duo have resided at the venue since 1992, when they began a six-year weekly residency (called Slam) that gave Daft Punk their first UK appearance and was the testing ground for timeless classics like Slam's own 'Positive Education'.

But ever since 1998 the venue's calling card has been Slam's more ambitious monthly project - Pressure. Reaching its 10-year milestone last November, the roll call at the aptly-named Pressure reads like an Almanac of modern techno. Each time, up to eight worldclass headliners join the Slam boys for what is arguably the best regular techno ticket in the UK.

During the anniversary party alone, Carl Craig, Damian Lazarus, Dusty Kid, Radio Slave and Jesse Rose all added their own brands of driving 4/4 intensity to Pressure's sonic cauldron, whilst cut 'n' paste beatsmith Yoda and German filth king Boys Noize proved that Slam's intimate attachment to techno has not blinkered their embrace of other genres.

An institution every bit as vital as The Arches, Slam have risen as the monarchs of Glasgow's techno scene through their residency there and it remains the benchmark that "they measure all other gigs against".

"The Arches has a unique atmosphere," explains Slam's Stuart McMillan. "Its cavernous archway layout manages to cram countless tunnels and four rooms of varying sizes on one level and the industrial setting is perfect for the Slam sound. With its bricked walls, it's got that illicit feel of the best underground acid house party but with all the comfort and bar space of a modern venue."

"It continues to have a special place in our hearts," agrees Silicone Soul's Graeme Reedie. "It's easily the best club in Scotland, if not the UK, for house and techno."

But techno isn't the only music played there. The Colours night caters for the populist euphoria of trance and big room house; Death Disco enjoys headliners like Digitalism, whilst Numbers recently brought experimental German duo Modeselektor for a sell-out live show.