Clubbers: Sync or Swim, you've got choice offerings in Cork

It doesn’t strike me as being the greatest name for a DJ collective, but Sync or Swim emerged in December 2024 with their inaugural event at the Liberty Bar. Among the six-DJ line-up on the night, alongside such names as Childish Lambino and DJ Bagheera, were Sync or Swim mainstays Dylan O’Keeffe and Bonz. They haven’t put on many events since then, but on Friday night (April 24) they come to The Pav with a line-up that features Charlotte Walsh and headliner Lawrence.

Opening the night is Bonz. Having started out DJ-ing at college house parties, Bonz has appeared at nights like Phrases and most recently over Paddy’s Weekend at Curate, and has supported acts such as Club Angel, Entasia and Thelma. His sets typically span across multiple genres and sounds, but he promises some fun tracks to open the night up tomorrow.

Following Bonz is fellow Cork, but now Dublin-based, DJ Charlotte Walsh. Walsh has been making a name for herself over the past three years with shows at Pharmacia, Wigwam, Cyprus Avenue, Róisín Dubh, Tengu, and only earlier this month at the venerable Sunday Times at Aye. She has also enjoyed some festival appearances at Beyond the Pale, Fuinneamh and Electric Picnic, where she played the Elements of Change stage in the Global Green area. She has also guested online on Puzzy Wragler’s Puzzy Prezentz and recently appeared on the Limerick-based Shed Sets. Expect her to play anything from acid-tinged house to UK garage, progressive house and techno tomorrow.

Headlining is Lawrence. The alias of Meath’s Laurie Johnson, the self-described “Ireland’s Favourite Underdog” has been making waves with sets across District X, Index, and Forbidden Fruit afterparties, as well as Index, Slither, The Lounge and Helm – sharing the stage with artists such as X-Club, Clouds, Club Angel, LB aka Labat, Sunnysoposted, Ammara, Luke Dean and Max Dean.

With a love for both underground and more commercial leaning sounds, Lawrence’s sets are all about high-energy dance music that crosses genres — from trance and garage to dubby techno and everything in between. His productions carry that same energy, ranging from deep ambient cuts to club-ready rollers. Last year saw him hit over 300,000 streams and earn support from artists like LB, Future666, Thelma and Faster Horses. This year he looks forward to his debut festival appearance at Outset Festival.

Lawrence, Charlotte Walsh and Bonz play the Pav on Friday, April 24, from 10:30-2:00.

As Sync or Swim make what looks like a number of events over the coming months, another is using this time to take a step back. On Saturday, April 25, Milk’s most regular residents, Acid Dave and Esmé2k will be spinning tunes at Dali for what they say will be their last party until after the summer.

“It kind of feels like the end of a chapter for Milk,” posted club founder Acid Dave enigmatically. “But also the beginning of something new.”

No doubt it will leave a bit of a void, having established itself since its founding 18 months ago as a premier party night for queers and allies. As usual, they promise a sweaty one as Dave and Esme go b2b all night long, serving up the usual mix of house, progressive, UK garage, trance and bassy bangers.

€10 on the door only (€5 before 10pm).