Clubbers: High Tempo night at The Pav this weekend

Post lockdown has seen the emergence of a remarkable number of promoters, DJ collectives and club nights in Cork. Some have managed to endure, while others have bubbled up and have seemed to disappear. And then there are those who do more than just quietly bubble up to the surface – they herald their arrival with trumpets and fireworks. Not real horns and pyrotechnics, but a whole carnival of digital hoopla. Such a group are Tempo Events.

They are aptly named. Their Instagram account has been ticking over with content at a relentless pace as they upload various scenarios in their hyping up of their first show. Some people can find this a little too eager, but it puts me in mind of a club night that bubbled up and promptly disappeared last summer who had a video presentation shot upstairs in the Pavilion and I thought the three lads were trying to sell me denims and suits from some market town gents outfitters, such was the energy.

Any kind of conspicuous or viral marketing campaign at best usually goes over my head or at worst is off-putting. At least Campaign Tempo is entertaining, even if one of the core people involved describes himself with a straight face as a Business Growth Specialist. Kicking off on their Instagram account on May 13, the dynamic duo of Reece and Kev (DJ CrackerJack) invite us to join them as they prepare to launch their first event with ODF.

“This isn’t just another event,” they announce. “This is about building culture, creating energy, and bringing Cork nightlife to another level.” It’s a theme they returned to in earnest on a posting last week where they discuss the rationale behind Tempo Events. Looking back on the glory days of Sir Henry’s, they earnestly vow to bring some of that feeling back. It’s all rather grand.

Good luck to them. At least they have been entertaining. But what about the music?

Well, as fans of UK garage, speed garage and bass music they are bringing over On Da Floor records founder Oliver de Friend aka London-based DJ/producer ODF for his Irish debut. Hailing from Leeds, ODF has been creating hi energy cuts since his 2020 debut Check it Out. Subsequent releases saw him vary his sound, particularly on the more jungle oriented New York and the more house influenced Easy, but all maintaining a raw energy. His first vinyl release for On Da Floor was last year’s Tell Them/Underground 12”, while this year has seen him release a slew of white label 12”s. He has also released on Brighton’s Southpoint, Bristol’s Time is Now, and Hardline Sounds.

Expect a night of high energy tunage and a stacked line-up of support DJs with CrackerJack, PLAX, who has been enjoying a very busy 2026 release-wise, and someone I haven’t heard of in a while, Let’s Elevate and Phrases Music promotions’ Do Chara.

Tempo Events Presents ODF at the Pavilion on Saturday, June 27. Doors 10pm. Tickets from €15. And as Tempo Events would advise it would be best to avoid ticket delay syndrome.