Five out-of-this-world moments from elrow’s opening party at [UNVRS]

Being the first residency to be announced at the new club, the hype surrounding crazed carnival elrow taking over Saturday nights at [UNVRS] has been fever pitch since the news broke.

Armed with a worldwide rep for throwing the most insane and colourful parties around, complete with outrageous production, acrobatic performers and a wonder of surprises, nothing's a miss at the Barcelona-born phenomenon. Mayhem isn't just expected at elrow, it’s guaranteed.

Having only opened just one week prior, we are still uncovering the full extent of [UNVRS]’s capabilities. So far, we continue to be amazed, but if ever there were an opportunity to push creative boundaries to the limit, then elrow’s opening night was it.

What happens when you pair the cutting-edge club space of [UNVRS] with party visionaries and downright dancefloor mavericks, elrow? We went along to find out.

Here are five out-of-this-world moments from elrow’s opening party at [UNVRS].

Enter Nowmads New World

Before the club doors opened, elrow kindly invited us along for some pre-party drinks, followed by an exclusive sneak peek of its astounding 360 degree club transformation.

WOW! The main room of [UNVRS] had been completely reimagined into a mesmerising fantasy land. Bringing to life one of elrow’s best-loved themes, Nowmads New World, on a whole new level.

Decked from floor to ceiling in psychedelic rainforest motifs, 3D deep sea wonders and mind-boggling creations of the cosmos, we didn't know where to look.

One of the perks of our early arrival meant securing a prime spot on the dancefloor with front-row views of the DJ booth where Bastian Bux was getting ready to plug in. Time to officially get this party started!

Bustin' a move with Bux

Long-standing member of the elrow family, Bastian Bux got a certified salute from us with his opening track choice of Fish Go Deep's The Cure & The Cause. Later ramping things up with his swaggering fan-favourite Roots, proving he knew exactly how to get the groovy gang in motion.

However, it was in Bux’s final minutes that the real stand-out moment came.

To the drop of his new single Good Things, released just 24 hours earlier, the room erupted. Right on cue, it was the moment we had all been waiting for: the first explosion of rainbow confetti showered over the cheering crowd below, in a moment of pure elrow magic.

Follow the doctor's orders

Over in the Wild Comet, the toilet rave underwent a makeover of its own, turning into The Pharmacy for the night and hosted by Bastian Bux’s record label Petit Comite of Housé.

Island DJ Laee prescribed a feverishly hot mix of Jackin’ House and funky Disco. Chocolate Dice’s P.A.C went down like a spoonful of sugar and certainly gave the crowd a hit of energy. That slapping bassline is now living in my head rent-free.

Meanwhile, the on-call theatrical doctor worked the dancefloor, dishing out candy-filled pill boxes, heart-shaped plasters and condoms. You know, all the party essentials.

A little later, a Namo Miatri edit of Michael Jackson’s They Don’t Care About Us sending the intimate club into elated hysterics, was not on my cards for the night. Still, nothing about elrow is ever predictable, not even the music.

Bring on The Rizz

Flying Dutchman Franky Rizardo wasn’t the only one with intentions to elevate the room.

Hanging acrobats in outlandish fancy dress now scaled the height of the club, and wacky inflatables bounced above our heads. We were in the thick of the elrow mayhem now and loving every second of it.

Although I will say, partying in front of the elrow DJ booth as the carnival carnage unfolds is not for those with a nervous disposition!

Franky Rizardo slammed down a riot of rhythmic records throughout his set. Keeping it cool with contemporary cuts like Supernova’s Art on the Road.

Before forging into classic House territory with Modjo’s Lady (Hear Me Tonight) and certified crowd-pleaser Work, the Masters At Work mix, which sent the dancefloor loco with the unmistakable tribal percussions and call-back vocals.

More than a party

If you can’t already tell by now, elrow is more than your usual party experience, it’s a funfair for the imagination, inviting clubbers to become part of the event itself. Dotted throughout the gardens were interactive games and props, which Lissy and I were only too happy to try out.

I walked away with a winning medal after an intense round of rock, paper, scissors, head-to-head with one of the elrow characters. Meanwhile, Lissy sat in on a whimsical fortune-telling with a deck of giant playing cards, which was as trippy as it sounds.

For a quirky momento, you could snap a polaroid in the elrow photobooth, but not before you’ve had a makeover of your own from the face glitter stand.

On and off the dancefloor, there is never a dull moment at elrow and with the endless possibilities new hyper-club [UNVRS] brings through advanced technology and sheer scale, this is a partnership of epic proportions.

elrow has now officially launched into the [UNVRS].

What exactly is in store for the next seventeen Saturdays to follow, nobody can truly predict, but one this is for sure, attendees are in for a wild ride!

Tickets and full weekly line-ups can be found below. See you under the confetti!