KU itself is a well-conceived venue; a dedicated party space with a bar area next door offering refuge for those who needed a moment away from the relentless pull of the bass.

We arrived around 8:30pm to find the warm-up already well underway, courtesy of DJ Grace Garcia, who was doing everything right, warming the fairly sparse room with enough energy to get feet twitching before the main event had even started limbering up. A classy, confident opening set.

Then, without fanfare or ceremony, Jez and Tim slipped behind the decks. No grand entrance, no drawn-out intro, just two DJ’s who know exactly what they’re doing, quietly taking control of the night.

What followed was the better part of two hours of relentless, joyful, expertly crafted electronic dance music.

The duo moved through the decades with ease, anchoring the set in era-defining tracks (Lil Louis, C+C Music Factory, The Source) while weaving in newer material that sat seamlessly alongside the classics. The mixing was flawless, with not a seam in sight. Each transition felt inevitable, like the music had always been heading exactly where it went next.

The crowd, packed tightly by the time the set hit its stride, was a beautiful thing to witness. Largely drawn from the generation that came of age in 90s rave culture, though with a heartening smattering of younger faces who’ve clearly been drawn in by the music rather than the nostalgia, everyone was fully committed. Two-stepping, arms raised, the occasional big fish/little fish making a welcome appearance. Faces lit up with that particular kind of joy that only comes from communal hearts and feet dancing as one.

Jez offered a couple of warm, well-timed moments on the mic. Early in the set, with good humour, he acknowledged Tim’s preference for letting the music do the talking, before later sharing a story about Tim playing Stockton years ago, early in his career. The evening, he suggested, felt like completing a circle, sincere without being sentimental, and the crowd received it warmly. He also made sure to mention the two additional subwoofers drafted in especially for the night. On the evidence, it was a very good decision.

As the set drew to a close, Jez returned to the mic for a final word, signing off with what might be the most necessary instruction of the moment – “Keep the fucking joy!”

We left with ringing ears, lighter hearts, and every intention of doing exactly that.

Utah Saints remain utterly, brilliantly essential, then, now and always.

12th March 2026