Printworks: A shining light for the UK club scene

January 13, 2017, was a sad day for UK nightlife, for it was on this day that one of England’s most iconic and entrenched clubbing institutions – Sankeys Manchester – was forced to close its doors. The notorious two-room club, which has grown and nurtured some of the biggest names in the scene today, is to be redeveloped into residential apartments, despite being a Grade II listed building. But as one door closes another opens, and as the continuing battle of culture vs. development rages on we see a gleaming light poke out of the darkness: Printworks London.

‘Gleaming light’ sounds rather underwhelming considering this is a brand new, 5000 capacity space that’s attracting some of the biggest line-ups in recent years, but more important is what this venue represents: the protection of culture and the sound of the underground. With the opening debut on February 4 billed as the Launch: Extravaganza, the metallic industrial walls will be graced by a triple B2B from three of tech house’s biggest talents: Mr. Seth Troxler, the Martinez Brothers and the henchman behind Desolat Records Mr. Loco Dice. Expect to be taken up and down the musical spectrum from beeps and squeaks to hard hitting snares, all co-ordinated by a gifted trio of the scenes biggest DJs.

Perhaps one of the most exciting things to come from this new space is that every single Printworks event starts at 12 noon and ends at 10.30pm – ten and a half hours of music. It’s a mini-festival set within a 16-acre former printing factory, featuring soundproof walls and a light/sound system that is likely to rival anything around today. And it’s not as if the line ups get worse after the opening debut, far from it. The next weekend sees bass heavyweights UKF host room 1, while drum and bass label Shogun Audio take over room 2 for a full day of bass-laden raving antics. The following weekend houses Maya Jane Coles and friends for an all-out techno party. Looking for the sound of the undergound? Then Printworks has you covered.

And so, the countdown begins. There’s less than a month till its debut and still we can’t stop talking about it, with tapping feet itching to get inside. Opening soon is Printworks: London’s ground-breaking new clubbing space.