EVENT PREVIEW: Labour of Love 2014 at The Guvernment Complex 08-31-14 by Adam Micallef

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As excited as I am about this year’s Labour of Love, I can’t help but be saddened by the fact that this event symbolizes the end. The end of a summer that was way too short, the end of an iconic event & the beginning of the end for Toronto’s most well known and longest running music temple The Guvernment Complex. Slated to close in January of 2015, Labour Day signifies the beginning of its final quarter in operation. Since opening in 1996 Guv has become famous for “full complex” events that basically amount to mini indoor music festivals. This year is no exception as the crew at INK Entertainment has pulled out all the stops for one last epic Labour Day bash. So let’s take a look at this year’s lineup.

What do Ministers De la Funk, The Dronez, RAW, Smooth Touch, RBM, Deep Soul, Club Ultimate, Li’l Mo Ying Yang, Reel 2 Real & Sympho Nympho have in common? They all involve Erick Morillo! He’s been known under many pseudonyms but for the purpose of this preview let’s just call him the 2014 Labour of Love headliner. The I Like To Move It hit maker has been making beats & spinning records since 1992. Considering Morillo holds the record for the longest ever residency (13 years), at Pacha Ibiza there’s no question he will have the Guv Main Room crowd “dancin” up a storm.

Also featured on this year’s bill is Serbian-Australian DJ Dirty South, who’s hit single City of Dreams is one of my personal favorites. I’m getting chills up my spine just thinking about the atmosphere in the main room when he drops that chart topper which also features Alesso & Ruben Haze.

Also in the main room Dutch producer Oliver Heldens, whose star has shot to the top of the charts with the release of his hit single Gecko. After witnessing Heldens set at VELD Music Festival earlier this month, I’m rather excited INK decided to bring him back so soon. At VELD the crowd was soaked by a sun shower during his set, I’m expecting more of the same cause we all know how sweaty these Guv all nighters can get.

Some people have remarked that this years lineup is short on “brand name” DJs. Personally, I’m really glad that INK set up this bill to showcase our extremely talented local DJs. Longtime Guv resident Mark Oliver rounds out the talent in the main room and anyone who’s frequented Guv over the years knows not to under estimate him. Two of my personal local favorites Deko-Ze & Joee Cons will be spinning on the rooftop Skybar alongside Italian producer EDX who’s catalogue stretches all the way back to 1997.

Chroma will also be bumpin with an all local lineup of Manzone & Strong, MC Flipside & Hatiras. For me Joe Manzone & Fab Strong have come to symbolize everything that The Guvernment Nightclub is all about. I can’t even begin to count the number of mornings I’ve danced away listening to these two masterfully controlling the tempo, and keeping the vibes going well past 6 a.m.

Not to be forgotten, the hard right turn as you enter the main room also known as Acid Lounge will feature Peter Zurub, Quik and Tyrell.

Get your tickets now so you don’t miss out on some epic #GuvLuv at the final edition of Labour of Love.

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