Alrighty then... Bar Sequence is evidently brand new, and although quite small has SEVEN projectors. Yes, really. The sound system is also nice and clear.
When I arrived it seemed I'd become engaged in negotiating a (possible) business deal, and when the subject of "open deck nights" came up, I had to ask, "This is an open deck night, isn't it?" ... "Can't we just play?" :o) And so I and brand-new-as-of-that-day VJ, code-named "Double Z" (until she chooses a name), were introduced to the booth.
The DJ booth is considerably elevated above the back part of the space, which is flanked (not the booth itself) by projectors on both side walls. The VJ space is behind the DJ, essentially facing the back wall, which isn't great if you don't have a preview monitor, but at least there is space enough and out of reach of guests' hands (and drinks). There is also another VGA input socket in the wall at the front of the venue.
The outputs are arranged on some sort of matrix switcher. I didn't see it, and the details aren't entirely clear, but I think there can be up to four separate VGA inputs running to various combinations of outputs. It might be possible to run a triple-head across three adjacent displays and use the 4th repeated across the other outputs - pure speculation, of course!
The projectors themselves are really short-throw from a high angle, so there is hardly any shadow from people even standing close to the walls. Unlike most venues I've played in, the brightness problem is that there's too much brightness... Two bright projectors close to the walls in a small room really saturates the space, so "darker" images are the order of the evening.
Aria (who I'm supposing to be the owner) says he designed the setup himself, and I think he called it something to the effect of the first digital media bar in London or maybe the UK (I wasn't taking close notes at the time). A bold claim, and, whether true or not, I'd be willing to bet it has more projectors per square metre than just about any place on the planet. ;o)
At any rate, he seemed pleased with the visuals we put on so after playing it was back to business proposal mode. We have a gig there this Saturday. Good effort "ZZ" on day zero as a VJ!
Every Wednesday is "open decks" for DJs and VJs. Music policy is in the electro/house area, and I was asked before being allowed to put on visuals if they contain (essentially) offensive content. Nudity, strong (anti?-)religious themes, etc, are not welcome.
I forgot to mention that they are looking for visual artists and so on to exhibit installations / photos / whatever works on a screen there, probably on a you-don't-charge-me-I-don't-charge-you sort of basis... Obviously if you can bring a few friends who buy a few drinks that is the idea.
It was nice to see some of the vjlondon folk on Saturday night. Thanks to all who came down to check it out and lend support.
Congratulations to ZeeZee on her first with-crowd performance.
Discussions between those attending and ourselves are pointing towards a big gap between what the management want and what they are offering. More on this later.
