It’s easy to take a club like Cielo for granted. After all, it’s been around for a full ten years, rock-steady in its musical offerings all the while, balancing underground cred with the need to bring in the bucks. (Running a club in the middle of the Meatpacking District isn’t cheap, you know.) Consistency doesn’t garner headlines, of course…but once in a while, you’re reminded how much a jewel the spot still is. Saturday, June 29 marked the return of the long-missing Techtonic’s bash—helmed by Illich Mujica and headlined by Systematic Recordings head honcho Marc Romboy, with the Moth duo (Mujica and Luis Padron) and Rinsed’s Dan Wender lending sonic support—and the shindig served as one of those reminders. The sound was warm and crystal clear; the vibe was relaxed yet charged; and the music, largely deep house, tech-house and techno, was top of the line. The verdict? Cielo is still Manhattan’s best dance club—and with nights like this, it might be for another decade. Another verdict: Techtonics rocks!
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