Max HeyraudThis week’s Mix of the Week comes from Derv, who takes the reins for a 4-hour marathon at Tengu for Slither, flexing her house, techno, electro, and hardcore muscles.
An all-nighter is no small feat, starting with an empty dancefloor, building the mood from the ground up, then smoothly pushing the energy from zero to 100 (and beyond) is a fine art. It’s a task that should only be trusted to seasoned selectors. For her debut all-night-long set at Dublin’s favourite red-lit haunt, Tengu, Derv proves she’s an artist in full flow, showcasing a multi-faceted style and making every corner of her library sing in harmony.
Her approach is eclectic and story-driven, a gradual, almost cinematic rise toward peak-time without jolting dancers too quickly, but never lingering in the shallow end for too long. Derv judges this progression with a fine-tooth comb, allowing the intensity to build naturally. The word “jackin’” comes to mind as the overarching theme of this journey. From punchy, blocky house cuts to full-throttle 808-driven techno and slamming electro, she shows no mercy toward the end. When the big moment arrives, it feels instinctive, as if there was only one way forward: the banging way. And when it hits, it’s a welcome slap in the face.
At times, things get hypnotic, dancers melting into the red light spilling across Tengu’s haze-filled room. Derv doesn’t rush, letting the crowd sink deep into the smoke before yanking them back with dense Chicago sucker punches. The finale explodes into full-on rave territory: jolting footwork, ecstasy-laced breakbeats, happy hardcore, and more. It’s a proper ’90s Dublin rave ending, hold onto your hats, going out with a bang. And bang it did.
This four-hour statement cements Derv as a DJ who has earned her stripes in Dublin and is now proving her skills in a longer format in one of the best clubs in the country.