By now, you’ve probably read, and argued with, more Best of 2024 lists than you can recall, but I’m here to tell you now, on the first day of 2025, that the real song of the year was a 40-year-old Bronski Beat club hit whose viral success probably wasn’t as organic as reported. (Seriously, people just happened to ask their parents how to dance to “Smalltown Boy” right at the time of the song’s 40th anniversary and not, like, when it appeared in Euphoria? And there just happened to be contemporary club remixes ready to be released in the aftermath of its success on TikTok?)
But, even if the song’s resurgence was a total marketing ploy, it worked. On the hottest nights of the summer, I would hear people scream for “Smalltown Boy” as they threw their hands in the air and danced with sweat dripping from their faces. After the summer faded, the song’s popularity dipped only slightly. On New Year’s Eve, it still hyped up the Underground crowd. But, to be fair, “Smalltown Boy” is one of those songs that never quite dropped off L.A. club playlists— like “Living on Video” or “Send Me an Angel”— the whole viral thing just gave it an extra kick.
Anyhow, thanks to everyone who made it out to Club Underground’s New Year’s Eve party last night. Scroll down to see what I played. Next gig for me is David Bowie night at Club Underground on Friday, January 10. David Bowie night is a biggie, and it has sold out before, so click on this link to get your tickets as soon as possible.
Set One:
Boy Harsher – Machina
Sextile – Contortion
Nitzer Ebb – Join in the Chant
New Order – The Perfect Kiss
Real Life – Send Me an Angel
Sisters of Mercy – Lucretia
The Cure- The Walk
Lebanon Hanover – Gallowdance
She Wants Revenge – Tear You Apart
Bloc Party – Banquet
Molchat Doma – Sudno (Boris Ryzhy)
French Police – HER
Le Tigre – Deceptacon
Wet Leg – Chaise Longue
The Smiths – Ask
Vampire Weekend – A-Punk
Postal Service – Such Great Heights
Los Prisioneros – Tren al Sur
Set Two:
Bronski Beat – Smalltown Boy
New Order – Blue Monday
Trans X – Living on Video
Vitalic – La Rock 01
Boy Harsher – Pain
Kittin and the Hacker – Frank Sinatra
Peaches – Fuck the Pain Away
Q Lazarus – Goodbye Horses
Hercules and Love Affair – Blind
Robyn – Dancing on My Own
Mr. Flagio – Take a Chance
Yaz – Situation
Depeche Mode – Everything Counts
Pet Shop Boys – West End Girls
Liz O. is an L.A.-based writer and DJ. Read her recently published work and check out her upcoming gigs.
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