Club Yellow Closing Week: Tuesday “Beyond The Dance”

Club Yellow Closing Week: Tuesday “Beyond The Dance”

30 June, 2008 | 9.34AM

• Section: Music News Topics: Beatport Blog
• Written by: Beatportal

When I first received the news Yellow was closing, I emailed Derrick May.

His response was emotional: He was angry, as is a natural response to negative emotions.

He, too, is one of “us”—the people who fell in love with Yellow. 

Derrick May always said that Yellow is the best club in the world, with a great sound system, enthusiastic crowd, professional staff that always inspired him.

He told me that he will play one more time before closing, no matter what it takes.

At that time, Yellow told him closing week was booked already but Derrick made it happen—June 17, 2008 was the day of Derrick May’s last gig at Yellow.

Yellow asked me to pick Derrick up from the hotel, and in the cab I asked him if he felt any special emotion about the night.

He replied, “I haven’t had a chance to think about it yet, but I might feel it as I play.”

When we got to the club, we were greeted with a huge line at the door.

It was Tuesday, but it felt like Saturday, and as soon as Derrick started playing, the atmosphere of the club changed.

I will never forget that moment.  It’s hard to explain, but it was electrifying. 

Derrick’s set was intense, and that intensity was mirrored in the vibe of the crowd—it was almost magical.

It is kind of cheesy expression, but dance floor was filled of love.

The palpable heat of the dancefloor kept rising, even after sunrise. 

In the morning, Derrick threw down ‘Sueno Latino (Mayday Mix)’.

A timeless classic, he plays this almost every time but it always makes us feel emotional.

Then, he played another track that was melancholy and erotic, and Derrick whispered to me, “Frankie Knuckles used to play this track when I was younger.”

And with that, the party was over. But, there were same amount of people on the dance floor past dawn as there had been at 1AM, which just shows how good his set was.

I will never forget this day in my life so, thanks Derrick.

Thanks Yellow. 

Words by: Special guest blogger Takamori Kadoi
Photos by Kenta Fujiki

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