There are very few that would doubt that Las Vegas has everything to offer in terms of night-time entertainment. However, when it comes to clubs, very few exist without the tie-in of a hotel to lean on. This has, in the past, led to a lack of recognition in the serious clubber fraternity to Las Vegas as a whole. ICE Meta_Club, the city's largest free-standing nightclub, aims to change this view with a bold attempt to alter this perception. Over the past two years the founder of the club, Ed Williams, intensely researched the worldwide clubbing scene to determine the ultimate venue and genre. ICE Meta_Club now brings a unique concept into the heart of Las Vegas. 'Meta' describes the club as consisting of micro-environments but its aim is simple: "To give Las Vegas a club that's as fabulous and well appointed as the others but decidedly more music-centred."

The Lounge, featuring a mix of Funk, R&B and Hip Hop, is the first place guest's visit as they begin their journey through ICE. Moving forward to the Main Arena and Cloud Bar guests arrive at the core of the club to hear Vocal House through the country's largest Funktion-One, 100,000 watt sound system. The main arena also boasts an imported cushioned Brazilian walnut dancefloor and the only Kryogenifex Atmospheric System in Las Vegas, which sporadically coats the clubbers in a sea of fog, dramatically dropping the temperature of the venue. All elements are synthesised within an architectural setting that matches the club's high fashion style.

The Fur Room is a shocking all pink paradise, with fur-lined walls, latex and S&M iconography and mirror polished panels. Guests are submitted to a plush world of sexual delight and inhibition all the while having a commanding view of the club floor action.

For guests wanting a more intimate experience, exclusive VIP rooms with the finest amenities and views of the entire club are available. ICE also features a private entrance into the club to eliminate long wait lines and a VIP membership system, which is second to none in the clubbing industry.

Due to the ideal location and design of the venue, ICE is ideal for special events and private parties. Within three weeks of the club opening, ICE was booked for several private parties, including Sean John's Fashion Party for Magic and Playboy's Anniversary Party. The modern image and chic architecture of the club has also attracted attention from music video producers, fashion photographers, and movie studios.

Additionally, ICE offers one of the finest in-house catering and food departments in Las Vegas. "As with everything we are doing at ICE, the food is always first-class and we offer top-quality service at every turn. Service is our priority here and we cater to our customers every need," Marc Jay, Director of Marketing & Special Events, explained. "We realise that there are many choices for entertainment in Las Vegas, but ICE has been designed to offer a truly one-of-a-kind experience."

Technologically, ICE is the result of a collaboration between Dan Agne (Sound Investment), Steve Lieberman (SJ Lighting) and Alejandro Gonzalez (Kryogenifex).

The lighting in the Main Arena consists of Coemar's iWash and iSpot moving heads (with Philips 575 MSD lamps) controlled by a MA Lighting GrandMA console. Most are fixed to the main circular truss over the middle of the dancefloor creating a focal point along with the elevated DJ booth.

The sound system, designed by Dean McNaughton and Dan Agne, can be found in every room in the club and was custom designed for the space with audiophile quality in mind. "The system is second to none in the area of sonic fidelity, one look at the nine foot tall speaker stacks, and you can see that ICE Meta_Club has the best sound system in the country," says Agne.

This statement has been borne out by the fact that ICE has won a number of awards including Best New Venue in the United States and Best Sound System at the Second Annual 'Club World Awards' (although that should read Club America Awards, I think).

The 30' x 30' main floor features a 4-point Funktion One Dance Stack speaker system with MC2 Audio T2000 and T1500 amplifiers. Agne comments: "The transparency of the XTA processing and the MC2 amplification combine quite eloquently with the overall accuracy of the Funktion One speakers. The result of this marriage is an audio system that is very musical and dynamic, a high output system that offers audiophile quality."

In control are XTA DP226 loudspeaker processors, a DP324 SiDD dynamics controller and XTA AudioCore software. Additionally, the lounges and the VIP lounge also feature Funktion One loudspeakers, MC2 Audio T2000 amplifiers and XTA.

With such a high quality spec it is unsurprising that ICE has already managed to attract a plethora of internationally renowned DJ's. At the time of mondo*dr's visit Boy George was appearing the night after and news had already filtered through of an alliance with Godskitchen to bring the famous British dance music brand to the venue. The collaboration will bring top international DJ's to perform in Las Vegas on a monthly basis.

Neil Moffitt, owner of Godskitchen, who currently promotes talent such as Armin van Buuren, Tall Paul, among other top DJ's is clearly very excited about the partnership: "ICE Meta_Club is the only club that my events could work in, in Las Vegas. With Godskitchen's home being a large free-standing building in England, we wanted to replicate that, without the affiliation of any hotels or casinos. ICE Meta_Club was exactly what we were looking for and has the most advanced sound and lighting systems on the West Coast. With the kind of talent we will be bringing to ICE, we can't afford to make do. Godskitchen is one of the most famous dance brands in the world and, with a partnership with ICE Meta_Club, the music scene is in for a shock! America is not going to know what's hit them!"

A bold dictum indeed but one which I think is warranted. As you can see from this issue, the States is a great place to be to build clubs at the moment and you would be hard pushed to find a more thoughtfully put together sound and lighting scheme as this.

technical information

light
10 x Coemar iWash 575EB; 10 x Coemar iSpot 575EB; 8 x Martin Atomic Strobe; 1 x 48channel ETC Unison Dimming System; 1 x 50' x 40' Ground Support System; 1 x 20' Circle Truss with 8 5' arms; 200' of led stip light (rgb); 16 x Par 46; 15 x Source 4 Par; 4 x Source 4 Lekos; 2 x 1k Cyc; 46 x Times Square Lighting MR75Z; 12 x Times Square Lighting MR16 Mini Par; 2 x Martin Magnum Pro 2000 Fogger; 2 x Le Maitre Hazer; 1 x MA Lighting GrandMA Light Console

sound
4-point Funktion One Dance Stack speaker system; MC2 Audio T2000 & T1500 amplifiers; XTA DP226 loudspeaker processors; DP324 SiDD dynamics controller; XTA AudioCore software

links: www.icelasvegas.com