Clubbers: The Liberty Bar in Cork hosts 40th Open Deck night by Underground Ovation 

The beginning of October, the calm before the storm that is the Jazz Festival. With so much set to be going on over that weekend, it’s as if clubs and venues hold a view that people are saving their money for that big blowout. Even Charlie Bones, rescheduled at the Savoy for Saturday 10th from its original Radio Solstice midsummer date, has been cancelled. Perhaps they are wisely deferring to the Winter Solstice? One dance event going ahead on the same date is Mark Blair, but I can’t imagine that anyone partial to his particular brand of nosebleed techno will be thinking too deeply about what gems lie in the Jazz Festival programme.

Be thankful then for grassroots events. Tonight, October 1, The Liberty Bar on South Main Street hosts the fortieth – 40th! – Open Deck night by Underground Ovation. Since 2018, NATMAC (Natalie McCormack) has been a lively force on the Cork DJ scene. From appearances at Dali when it was at the Pavilion and Cyprus Avenue or playing on Cork Underground Radio or as one of the instigators of Cork underground dance music network Electronic Music Council, NATMAC has always been motivated by community. Known primarily as boss lady of Underground Ovation, she initiated the Open Deck night in 2023.

Dedicated to supporting both aspiring and established DJs, Underground Ovation’s Open Deck night provides a platform for all types of styles, cherishing the quality of individuality. Having commenced in the Liberty Bar on South Main Street, Open Deck has presented many nights in the Spailpín Fánach before returning home, as it were. Some nights have been crazy busy. One event saw a whopping 26 acts on show. To date, over their three years, they’ve handed out close to 440 DJ slots to over 250 different artists, from people playing their first-ever set to seasoned selectors coming down to tear it up.

Without limit to any particular genre, participants are given 30-minute slots to showcase their talents and rep their favourite music. Tonight sees the following 12 DJs, including last month’s winner, battle it out: Angelicmeg, Biam, Depembe, Easystreet, Hien, JUSTG, KDG, Kettser, LEWY N, Matxicado, Schilling, and TASH. There is also a Jump On slot, running from 8:15pm to 9:15pm, giving anyone who has a USB sitting in their pocket the chance to get on the setup and have a go.

This month’s event is also a fundraiser for Cork Simon Community, supporting people experiencing homelessness and housing insecurity across Cork. There’ll be fundraising throughout the night, including a special raffle with a selection of prizes up for grabs. Entry is free, but as this one is for Cork Simon Community, anyone who can is asked to contribute on the night in whatever way they can.

Expect house, techno, garage, jungle, disco, breaks, bass and whatever else finds its way onto the USBs.

With so little happening over the weekend (although I’m sure Dali will have some local DJs on), it’s funny that another underground, grassroots event is taking place tonight also. This time representing hip-hop. At the Kino, KODA presents UK underground rap artist and producer DP1UP, rising East London MC Syst7m of the 400 label, and Beddyminaj of Dublin’s Catacombs Collective. At the Kino from 7:30pm-11pm.