*Originally wrote for the website ELL- East London Lines*

When thinking of London’s buzzing nightlife, for people outside of the capital Hackney is probably the last place that would come to mind. Many still see the west end as one of if not the main clubbing area within central London. Well think again, because Hackney nightlife is on the rise, and the underground clubs there are becoming increasingly more popular amongst young people. These venues in Hackney all have a different aspect to them that makes them attractive to a younger crowd. The main aim of these clubs is to welcome anyone and everyone. Certain clubs such as Libertine and DSTRKT are notorious for their strict guest list. I myself have been turned away 3 times from some of these clubs, for nothing more than who I was with or how they were dressed. The Hackney underground scene aims to rival these A-list only clubs and bring back the stress-free vibe that is supposed to come with clubbing. Going out to these places is a form of ‘play’, therefore no one wants to spend the majority of the beginning of their evening, worrying about whether they will be let into these clubs.

I have spoken to two different but very similar clubs, that are on the rise within the music/house scene in Hackney. Mangle is a music and events venue space within the heart of Hackney. They aim to create events that are enjoyable and cutting edge, a quote from Mangle themselves ‘Our ethos is finding the most exciting and emerging talent whilst working with some of the scenes most dynamic agents and promoters’. This connection they aim to have with the paying customers is one of the many reasons people keep returning to this venue. Another aspect that keeps them coming back is money, for one event that I attended which was Solardo’s UK tour it cost me as little as £10.50 to purchase a ticket. For clubs like Cirque Le Soir and Libertine it is often £20 entry. As well as this extortionate entry fee the promotors often encourage you to purchase a table for a set price between friends. As a double vodka coke is as much as £15 at most of these venues. This aspect of splitting the expensive fare, is sometimes the only option for young people who still want to go out and enjoy themselves, but their rent is due next week.

In addition to the prices there is other aspects that make clubs like Mangle attractive to different audiences. The music in many commercial clubs can become repetitive and often boring. Mangle have stated ‘We are fully rigged with L’acoustic sound providing crisp, clear and powerful audio’. People will go to these underground clubs to often experience a different electronic sound. Clubs like DSTRKT have a reputation for only catering to certain people. There have been many stories of DSTRKT having door men discriminating due to race or gender when letting people into their club. Mangle however have said ‘We believe you, the spectator, is the most important person in the audio chain’. Knowing that the club cares about your experience inside is something that draws people into clubs such as Mangle. Sadly, some of the west end clubs are lacking this sense of enjoyment within their night clubs, it has become all about the money and publicity surrounding the nights. There is so much hype to get into these exclusive clubs, but when you’re finally a part of it does it really live up to expectations?

Village underground is a warehouse space near Shoreditch. Their aim was to ‘build affordable studios for creative people who were struggling to get a foothold in London’. The space is made up of two shipping containers and four tube carriages on top of the warehouse venue itself. The venue is a positive space aimed to influence artists, filmmakers, architects, photographers, producers and DJ’s to ‘start up working side by side in a creative community’. The club part of the venue is a renovated turn of the century warehouse, exclusive for club nights, exhibitions, live art to theatre and concerts. All these diverse features, are one of the reasons why people are choosing this as their venue of choice. These clubs want to showcase the talent they represent whilst caring about the experience of the people on the dance floor. Village underground was opened with the aim to build this platform for artists and DJ’s to come forward, and showcase their art or present their events to London’s public, regardless of their background.

It has now have turned into one of London’s most premier live music venues. Starting off as a space for art, Village Underground welcomed in the world of house music through their doors. This is the aspect of the club that draws people into it, it’s so versatile in comparison to main stream clubs, and the musical experience is next to none. Clubs like Cirque have quoted ‘for the best clubbing experience and the easiest way to gain access into our weird and wonderful world, a table reservation is highly recommended’. This is a concept that is unheard of in clubs like Village underground or Mangle. People will attend these club nights for the simple fact they know everyone is welcome, and they are guaranteed a good night. As a clubber, myself I can personally say there is nothing worse than walking into a venue and feeling judged. Although Libertine have quoted ‘We have long been considered the centre of the capitals exclusive club scene’ .It is clear that this is changing rapidly, and people don’t want ‘exclusivity’ they want a good judgement free night.

We spoke to DJ Sol Edge on what it means to be a DJ at these types of clubs & events, and the community aspect that comes with it. ‘I think there is definitely a community element within these events, that have people coming back’. Sol Edge then went onto explain ‘the way social media works these days it has everyone connected with the same interests despite coming from different backgrounds’. There is nothing better than going to an event and knowing so many people there, this is an aspect to clubbing and raving that I feel the house music genre has a complete hold over , and what in turn makes it a community. Sol Edge says before you know it ‘you become friends with people from all over London and abroad, you will likely see these people out at every event’. I remember being 18 at the Steelyard in London and after spending several of my Sundays at 93 Feet East for their day parties. I started recognising people from other events, this in fact how I got to know Sol Edge himself as a DJ. Sol edge explained that with these clubs and events, you connect with people from all over the world and he feels this is what keeps people coming back. ‘The feeling of having a couple hours of letting your hair down and raving with like-minded people, has people coming back’

We then discussed how the commercial club land is becoming so saturated due to big club chains closing down. That this has in turn given way for underground venues to increase their popularity and exposure to flourish. He said that ‘the way house music has grown over the last 10 years or so it’s making there be more of a high demand for the music’. With west end clubs the appeal will always be on the night itself not about the music or the DJ’s playing ‘With house music, its more about the journey the music takes you on ‘this is how Sol Edge described some of the house events he has DJ’d at. Sol Edge explained that ‘The underground venues popularity has rocketed over the last 7/8 years, with high end clubs and VIP bars it’s not really about the music and dancing, sitting around a table drinking champagne’. Sol Edge has agreed that due to the rapid growth of these music brands they have gained attention of people who wouldn’t of usually gave raving a second look. Everyone wants to know what the hype is about, it has almost become ‘cooler’ to be seen at a rave than a high-end club in a way.

Both venues started off hosting smaller events for brands that were just starting up, helping give them a name for themselves. They are now hosting some of the biggest events in the house music industry. From Love juice to Abode, meaning they are becoming two of the ‘it’ spaces to hire for raves. This is bringing clubbers from outside of London to the venues, due to the well-known events taking place. In turn helping renovate the clubbing scene within Hackney, due to clubbers migrating to different places for their Friday and Saturday nights. The spaces are productively contributing to a community by giving them a name for themselves, whilst maintaining the cheap and enjoyable vibe to the area that it has always had. This is the community aspect that DJ Sol edge was talking about. People go back to these events to see the same faces each week, that familiar vibe. It is the same with the spaces they hire, everyone is working together to create, safe and fun environments for people to express and enjoy themselves. When I started raving that’s what it was all about, as Sol Edge said raving was simply about escaping the real world for a couple of hours on the dance floor. Not about what you looked like, who you knew or how much money you had.