Distant Planet: Multi-Generational Raving

Distant Planet has definitely established a reputation for itself within the London underground rave scene by embracing the ecstasy of 90s UK rave nostalgia by its dance occasions. Louise Beer, AKA Louise+1 and Simon Hughes, AKA DJ Hughesee co-founded Distant Planet in 2011

and have been gathering old-school vinyl records in addition to attending free events because the late 80s/early 90s. Together, they began their all-vinyl raves in varied pubs and obscure basement bars round London. With 13 years within the sport, Distant Planet continues to host their occasions at MOT and the Fox & Firkin, proper within the coronary heart of South-East London’s vibrant nightlife. Louise+1 and Hughesee’s recognition has prolonged past London as they’ve additionally began internet hosting Distant Planet events at Lost Horizon and Cosie’s in Bristol in addition to representing Distant Planet on the Black Swan for An Experience Presents and Dharma Hifi Sound System at St Paul’s Carnival. 

With their profound understanding and devotion to old-school rave tradition, Louise+1 and Hughesee have confirmed their distinctive capacity to curate a wonderful and intriguing lineup. Distant Planet has concerned the likes of Future Retro London head honcho Tim Reaper and Myor Massive’s Coco Bryce/ DJ Y alongside Dwarde & Equinox. Through their Bristol connections, DJ Azure (Dissonance) and Artificial Red (Omerta Records) are additionally repeatedly included into their occasion lineups. By exploring the riveting realms of correct old-school rave sound past the genres of jungle, techno, hardcore, and drum & bass, the Distant Planet events are by no means one to overlook. 

The Distant Planet nights have all the time typically attracted an older crowd of the old school ravers and free-party goers. However, extra younger individuals are attending their raves because of the latest resurgence of the old-skool sound. Distant Planet persists in making an effort to incorporate up-and-coming DJs of their lineups (REO, DJ B and Techtonic to call some) since attracting a youthful crowd. We sat down with Louise+1 to replicate on her journey organising/ selling their Distant Planet occasions and her perspective on the development of intergenerational raving within the London underground scene. 

As you’ve got been operating occasions in and round London for over a decade now, might you inform us the story of how Distant Planet first happened? 

I’ve been placing on occasions because the late 90s. I used to do an evening referred to as Re-Rave-All on the Dungeons in Lea Bridge Road, which I did for fairly a number of years. It began off rather well when it was on the Dungeons, however after I left the Dungeons it went up-and-down when it comes to getting numbers in. I attempted a number of different initiatives earlier than I received along with Simon after we received concerned in an evening referred to as Deep Acid, which was an acid home and techno evening. Our first Distant Planet occasion was up in Harlesden at this massive pub that backed onto the canal. We had a sound system inside and one exterior, and had about 400 individuals there. It went rather well. We moved round completely different venues in London, this was, 12 years ago- 2011. It’s going to be 13 years this May. 

Sick! 

And we simply had the five-year celebration of Distant Planet at MOT just lately…

When we first went to MOT, that was when the whole lot actually got here collectively for us. Before, it was onerous to discover a good venue that suited us. We tried a number of completely different

locations, there’s a place referred to as the Sovereign in Hackney which we nonetheless do events at, they had been actually good occasions. There was this different place referred to as Bar 512 in Hackney, We then did a celebration in Peckham at this place referred to as Peckham Palais, it was a large venue. That was all at a time while you needed to do sufficient flyering, as you couldn’t rely on the web. The celebration went off however we struggled to get the numbers we wanted. The subsequent 4 events we did had been all in actually good venues, however they had been all venues the place we’d do a celebration as soon as after which weren’t certain about going again and doing them once more. There was a little bit of an absence of locations. 

Then it was one other couple of years later that MOT happened and since then it’s simply been superb. It’s correct underground. Jan, the man that runs it, simply needs it to be a very good rave mainly, he does actually care about that. The sense of group is superb! We by no means thought in 1,000,000 years that we’d come throughout a venue like that. We had been optimistic about stuff, however that simply utterly modified our lives. 

Do you suppose that the London underground rave scene has change into a extra progressive house? 

Yes, in quite a lot of methods as a result of not so way back there weren’t that many younger individuals getting concerned. Both myself and Hughesee come from a free celebration background, however there was a time when quite a lot of the sound techniques stopped doing it, for one purpose or the opposite. But over time, I don’t know if it was the kids of the dad and mom which have come to a sure age, but it surely’s been superb to see the variety of youthful individuals getting concerned and placing on occasions. They are very progressive of their outlook and really inclusive. It was good to see and actually refreshing! 

Love it! How do you are feeling about completely different generations of ravers uniting in locations like Distant Planet events? 

I believe it’s sensible, and I believe that from what individuals say, we’ve a very good illustration for that. it’s nice, I find it irresistible. I like all of the people who come. All the older people who come can’t imagine that there are all these youthful individuals within the rave. 

You make an effort to incorporate youthful DJs on the Distant Planet lineup, might you inform me extra concerning the intention behind that? 

It took us some time. When we had been doing events in Bar 512 in Hackney, there weren’t that many youthful DJs round. There was solely Dwarde and Gand. At the time, the gang was largely older individuals, there was hardly anyone younger in any respect. It’s sensible that there are quite a lot of youthful DJs coming to the forefront now. 

When did youthful individuals begin coming to your raves then, was it a gradual course of?

It was fascinating. It was a little bit of a gradual development, however I undoubtedly observed it from the primary couple of occasions that we did Distant Planet at MOT. Goldsmiths University is across the nook, so it’s close-by to the scholars. Being at MOT, I used to be fairly blown away. 

I like seeing your and Simon’s names on the lineups of the Hardcore Hanging, Singularity, and Brazen Records flyers. How did your relationship with the youthful promoters begin? 

With Hardcore Hanging, I believe Ariel (The Bass Injector) from Singularity had been education them a bit on old-skool. We have DJ’d for his occasion up in Manchester (Da Demolition Squad Tour) just lately. I observed Dan (DJ Drinkwater) and Sam at Distant Planet, who’re all the time on the entrance and all the time dancing, they’ll be dancing all evening lengthy, it’s superb! They began working reverse MOT at one of many lock-ups exterior of the venue. I clocked them and mentioned “alright”, and we received to know one another. This may need been throughout lockdown or proper after. I don’t know if Hardcore Hanging already existed then however they began constructing their friendships, I believe. Then, Jonah (Breeza) and Jacob (Master 4) who performed for the Distant Planet: Celebrating 5 Year anniversary at MOT on New Year’s Day. Even Though they’re from High Wycombe, they’ve been coming to each occasion, even simply household DJ gigs on the pub. Over time, they began doing postering for us, which has been good. When they turned associates with the Hardcore Hanging lot, I used to be actually happy as they now had associates their age in London. It’s so good, it was on my birthday that I used to be DJing and all the Hardcore Hanging lot had been all dancing in entrance of the decks. It was such a stunning and superb factor.

Hardcore Hanging and Distant Planet raves at MOT each have that robust sense of group, it’s very healthful. Both generations join in these areas, as everyone seems to be all there for a similar purpose… 

Yeah, completely! I couldn’t make it to their latest celebration, I had a gig at Planet Wax earlier than that evening. But whereas I used to be there, it was the identical type of feeling. I used to be speaking to this one man, he was most likely in his 40s or one thing, however he felt that there’s a energy constructing in South-East London. 

That’s a really lovely saying. South-East London venues are very energetic in the mean time. 

It is unbelievable! Even although I’m from North London, I’ve been watching this develop and been amazed by all these locations, Avalon cafe, MOT. I’ve actually observed it.

You have talked about flyering, with the age of social media and attracting a youthful crowd, do you suppose that the best way you promote Distant Planet has modified? 

We most likely don’t do as a lot flyering as earlier than. Lots of promoters don’t do any type of paper promotion, however we nonetheless do flyers and posters. We additionally just like the artwork facet of it. We have a flyer designer that we actually like. Even Though it’s a bit of cash and a little bit of effort, it’s undoubtedly price it. There might also be people who don’t occur to be in your web community or don’t use the web, so in the event that they see the poster, it retains it extra inclusive. 

South-East London is an space of London the place flyering continues to be executed by quite a lot of promoters. 

How do you suppose the underground rave scene will evolve? 

I all the time attempt to be optimistic. It is difficult, some individuals are extra optimistic, and a few are extra pessimistic. It is tough, individuals don’t have as a lot cash to exit which is a bit worrying. There are lots of people nonetheless doing out of doors occasions, however hopefully, it is going to proceed to develop. I’ve observed over time, that the underground scene all the time pops up once more, you’ll be able to’t do away with it. At the identical time, you now have individuals all around the nation collaborating. 

What is your favorite facet of the place the scene is at, at present? 

The multi-generation facet, simply seeing so many younger individuals being concerned. Seeing the expansion in it since lockdown, it has created this massive vacuum. Seeing the youthful individuals coming to the events, being tremendous pleasant and never ageist in any approach, I might say that’s my favorite facet. 

Lots of different rave scenes in London are experiencing ageism. Do you suppose that is related to Distant Planet? 

I don’t suppose it’s. I can see the way it is smart in different areas, possibly older individuals aren’t

getting bookings. Everyone is all the time tremendous pleasant at Distant Planet raves. Bigger business occasions the place brokers are used may wish to ebook youthful DJs as a result of they suppose that may herald cash. Whereas within the underground scene, we simply do our personal factor, it doesn’t matter what all people else does. 

What recommendation would you give to the youthful technology of upcoming DJs, producers and promoters of the old-skool sound? 

I might say be actual and real. Do what you’re keen on somewhat than what you suppose you need to be doing or following any developments. Just be as unique as attainable. Don’t be scared to check out various things, the identical with music as effectively. That’s how you’ll stand out. Lots of people, observe a development after which they don’t stand out and surprise why they aren’t getting anyplace. It is de facto necessary for promoters to place within the onerous graft. If you placed on a celebration that doesn’t do effectively and you’ve got executed the whole lot you’ll be able to consider when it comes to promotion, that’s one factor. But in case you don’t trouble with flyering or placing posters up then issues go fallacious, that one other. Also, it isn’t essentially all about massive names. It is extra about making a vibe with good music, which is necessary. Lots of the time, individuals wish to go see their associates DJ, they’re not likely bothered about an enormous lineup. So many nights fail the place they trouble to cowl the headliners however can’t chuck the cash anyplace else, they will’t get the numbers in. Start small, construct one thing up till you ram up after which go and do greater venues. 

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