Creating memories, making careers and finding love in UK clubs

WITH 2016’s claim on some of the nation’s most loved venues, an army of veterans and fresh faces alike have shown the world how important UK club culture is through social media, articles, petitions and protests.

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Our losses this year and in year’s gone by are tragic and so a celebration of what clubs have done and are doing is more vital now more than ever especially as fabric continue their #SaveOurCulture campaign ahead of their appeal to have their license reinstated in a hearing confirmed to be taking place on November 28.

Here, a handful of DJs remember their favourite clubs past and present from seeing their heroes play to the dirty kebab stinking out the cab on the ride home.

on fabric, London [1999 – ?]

I was standing on the balcony about a year ago at a Playaz night (DJ HYPE’s night) and the promoters said to me, “Adam, you know two of the most memorable and successful nights for us at fabric were when Dre and Eminem were at fabric for your live performance with M.O.P’. That left a golden mark in my heart. fabric was a part of many of my dreams and ambitions unfolded.

I am lucky to have captured some of my night on video to be a memory not just in my heart and mind . I think I was one of the first Drum n Bass artists and labels to be lucky enough to be given the chance to host the first regular monthly night with KAOS Recordings. Soon my dream evolved with the birth of BREAKBEAT KAOS, my label with DJ Fresh. Pendulum who we had just signed went on to perform their first ever live gig at fabric under BBK during the ‘HOLD YOUR COLOUR’ album.

One of our first label nights had all our artists at the time at our regular label night which included Pendulum, NERO, Chase & Status, Sigma, myself, Brookes Brothers and DJ Fresh.

My nights at fabric were some of my best DnB raving memories, with my wife Ashley playing alongside line ups with Goldie, Dillinja, Roni Size & Redman and Andy C to name but a handful! Memories?!! I could go on and on and on.

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on Nation, Liverpool [1992 – 2015]

has to be recognized as one of the driving forces behind UK club culture over the last two decades and for me, it’s part responsible for the makings of what I now do today. Having gone to University in Liverpool, I was lucky enough to witness some of the world’s biggest DJ’s play at the famous Nation venue that Cream called home, from Carl Cox & Fatboy Slim… to a young, fresh faced duo who went by the names of Steve Angello & Sebastian Ingrosso, I saw so many DJ’s play there!

Fast Forward eight years to 2015 and the last event at Nation (before it got knocked down) and I was the one in the booth, about to play the same venue where I’d idolized so many of my DJ heroes; I went straight in with Eric Prydz’ ‘Opus’ and as it built and built I turned around and behind me were the group of mates that were there on that Angello/Ingrosso night in 2007 (we had a large one!) as well as my two sisters and some other friends who had made the journey from my hometown, Blackpool and that for me, with everybody there that I wanted to be, along with a crazy, up for it crowd… was a sick, sick moment in my DJ career!

’ Duvall on Turnmills, London [1990 – 2008]

We all have different memories growing up in the UK club scene - the first will always be the one where I got turned away from Turnmills for wearing boot cut jeans with loafers, but once I got my garments in check that was the first place I experienced real house music. Acid house was trying to make a comeback but I wasn't interested; you'd find me in the deep house room hugging a bottle of water and enjoying life. Each room had a different smell, a different mood and a different DJ. I'd leave just before daylight. My favourite part of all these nights - whether it was Turnmills, or the late fabric - was that dirty kebab stinking out the poor cab driver’s car on the way home. Get in.

on The End, London [1995 – 2009]

Its hard to put into words what The End meant to myself and . We became the longest running DnB residence at the club and it pretty much dictated the vibe of the label from the late 90’s until our last night there Christmas 2008. It was like a family get together every month and I’ll never forget the vibe I felt walking down those steps into the club and felt the excitement of the crowd waiting to hear the freshest DnB around. It started careers, cemented the music and became an iconic institution of UK nightlife. Memories of that club will last a lifetime.

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on Ministry of Sound, London [1993 – present]

It’s really hard to find one specific memory at as we’ve made so many over the years. Given the rich history of the club and our knowledge and appreciation of those that have come before us it’s honour to take our night there and make a contribution to the UK clubbing scene.

It is also special because we are surrounded by our friends; we travel the world just the two of us and when we are at Ministry the energy and enthusiasm of the people in such a great club is always an amazing combination. We’re looking forward to making some more memories at our next show in October.

on The Faversham, Leeds [1980s – present]

I have had many great clubbing moments in the UK but I think as a favourite I would have to choose the time I returned to my hometown to play at in Leeds. I had attended this party as a raver so many times and had seen some of the worlds best DJ's play there so to make a return as the headline DJ was phenomenal. It was the weekend I did the Essential Mix on BBC Radio 1 and lots of my friends and fans were there to support and celebrate the music.

on Ministry of Sound, London

The year was 2008, the club was Ministry of Sound, and the party was Defected In The House! Defected were a staple part of my musical diet around that time, and Bob Sinclar was a hero of mine. I remember being in the main room when he played his classic ‘Feel For You’ and the vibe was completely electric, the whole room was singing - it went off big time... for me that was a really magic moment in London clubbing!

resident, on Studio 338, London

When I headlined Studio 338 for ABODE in April - that was the one. A crowd of 3,000 people were chanting my name “Ellie, Ellie, Ellie!” over and over again which was pretty special. I even cried. I remember feeling so overwhelmed and just in shock at the reaction at the end of my set during my final track. It was even more special, as my Mum, Brother and favourite people were there supporting me, as always and the reaction I got from the crowd was something I would never expect. I genuinely believe that this moment will be one of the best moments that I’ll ever experience in my career and to think this magical moment has already happened early on, makes me even more excited for the future!

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on fabric, London

I was actually honoured to do a two hour set in 2014. It will always stick in my mind as one of the best clubs I’ve ever played at - It just oozed history, as soon as I’d walked through the metal doors, I was welcomed by the smell of rich clubbing goodness. I learnt a lot as a producer, I got to hear DJs I would probably never get to hear anywhere else in the UK. Hearing the best unheard, underground music, for me, made this club stand out from all the rest. It wasn't for rich people. It wasn't for poor people. It wasn't for one race or another. fabric was for people who enjoyed music and dancing and there was a lot of love in that room. You left feeling educated and inspired. Everyone needs to experience this once in their life, it's a tragedy that now, they might not get the chance…

on The Warehouse Project, Manchester [2006 – present day] and Studio 338, London 28k

As Manchester lads we have to give massive props to … the line ups, the level of production, the sound quality and what it generally gives the city is incredible. It’s hard to believe such an amazing project can be pulled off in the way they do and we are looking forward to playing there 4 times this season! One of our best memories has to be from Studio 338 which sadly burned down. ABODE throw incredibly fun parties; looking over the 2500+ crowd as we played was a real moment of realization for us both. Playing Fabric for the first time was also special for us because it is simply the best club in the world… it's important that we all fight for its future

on Ministry of Sound, London

My favourite and first club I ever went to was Ministry Of Sound. I was 18 years old and completely blown away by the music and experience, it changed my life! I went home the next day and started to focus my production on dance music. Since that day I have had a career in music, that's how important the UK clubbing scene is to the next generation of kids.

on fabric, London

I’d have to say my favorite club memory was actually at fabric, back in 2008 on a Playaz night, Commix were playing 'Be True' (yes, I’m a drum and bass head at heart), I was with my best mate and a bunch of people we’d met in the queue, that outrageous laser in Room 2 was projecting a wave across the dancefloor (as an 18 year old - the best thing ever) and everyone was arm-in-arm, it was pretty much perfect. It was the first time I’d hit fabric and a turning point for me in music - it’s what made me properly pursue DJing and ultimately, making music - for this reason it’ll always be my favourite place.