One of the biggest clubs of all time celebrates it’s 20th Birthday in style
Receiving a press release from a club celebrating it’s 20th Birthday isn’t really the norm these days. Most clubs out there these days are lucky to be blowing out 5 candles on their cake, never mind 10, 15 or indeed 20. But you’d never file The Gallery under the norm. Yes we are told amazing facts that over 1.5 million clubbers have passed through the doors over the years and some 500,000 records have been played by the superstar DJs to The Gallery faithful…but that doesn’t even scratch the surface of this seminal club. This is where Armin van Buuren and Tiesto got their first breaks in the UK market place, Lottie used to DJ here for thirty quid before finding Radio 1 fame, it’s where Sister Bliss would try out her new Faithless tracks and it’s where a nervous Tall Paul would make his mark on the music world. Here, Dan Prince checks in with the big fella – a DJ and producer with the bit between his teeth once again as he pedals furiously to the next double decade…
Mr Newman a massive welcome back to DMCWORLD towers. Where in the world are you right now?
Hi Dan – getting ready for the off to Belgium for the weekend…
What was the first piece of music you heard this morning after jumping out of bed?
We had Chill FM on last night so when radio came on this morning we had RY X-Berlin, very nice. Then the kids get to the radio then it all goes EDM at 7.15, not so nice.
You smashed it at Clockwork Orange last weekend in London – you announced that you’d finally been back in the studio after a hiatus and had three new tunes ready to roll. What can you tell us about the tunes?
Had some ideas floating around for a while and over the last two years I felt more and more like I wanted to get them finished, this coincided with some great music I was hearing and being sent. In January I unexpectedly had some time on my hands and started to explore the possibility of getting into a studio. Spoke to an old producer mate of mine Julian (Johan Simms) and three tracks later I’m buzzing again about music. Got first one signed to Hoxton Hoare’s, played them out for the first time at Clockwork and they all smashed it. Very chuffed. More to come on the other two soon…
Obvious question – why the dust on your studio equipment, why have you neglected it for so long?
Lots of negative things were happening for me around 5/6 years ago, including Turnmills going my Dad not being around , Plus I was hearing house music at the time that I didn’t get on with and didn’t like the direction, it wasn’t working for me. I lost interest for a while, I was worn out by that stage and needed a big break from it all. So I decided to stop touring and making music. A very tough decision.
We had Andy ‘the claw’ Manston in the interview chamber last week talking about Ibiza. I asked him for some gossip on you last year from the white isle. He replied “Paul Newman is so clean it’s boring”. Thoughts on that?
Right answer. He makes up for everyone’s entertainment anyway and wouldn’t remember if I was a good boy or not. I do love that all day thing similar to the Clockwork party at Sands last year, it has got so popular in Ibiza, it’s like having a night out during the day. Not too keen on getting in at 7am any more.
So the big one. The Gallery 20th Birthday at The Ministry next weekend. True or false? You planned the Opening Night to coincide with your birthday, because you were worried about numbers…even though you had Oaky?
Yes true, we didn’t want to leave anything to chance. The deal with Oaky was we couldn’t go crazy on the advertising as he was doing us a big favour on price (apparently)…haha…
Gareth Emery…
“The Gallery is one of my all-time favourite clubs, not just because it’s in my home country! From playing at Turnmills in the early days to Ministry of Sound now, the crowds are always epic and there is a really amazing old-school rave vibe that can be hard to find nowadays”
One thing we love about Paul Oakenfold is that through thick and thin he has stuck by trance music, in whatever form. And you can say the same for The Gallery, I remember in the late 90s when hard house was ripping it up in the UK…you always tried to keep it euphoric and uplifting at Turnmills towers…?
That’s right, and I think that’s why we are here 20 years later. Trance, House, Deep Trance, Progressive deep trance house, call it what ever it has to have a certain feel for the main room…
Simon Patterson…
“I first got involved with The Gallery around 10 years ago. Fortunately got to play at Turnmills, which was one my most favourite clubs ever! On moving to Ministry, they continued to book the best DJ talent every Friday night. I honestly can’t tell you another night in the world which does this.”
What are the 5 tunes that always remind you of The Gallery?
– Durango 95 -555 (Danny’s tune)
Made to be played at that time every Sat morning at 5.55am. A true Gallery Tune.
– Precious Heart -Tall Paul
Wouldn’t have come out but for the Gallery crowd.
– Eric Prydz – On Off
Eric’s been a real energy for the Gallery and he always does the business for us…
– Depeche Mode – Pain that I’m Used To (Thin White Duke Mix)
One of my all time fave Gallery tunes, never used to work for me everywhere, but the Gallery crowd worshiped it.
– Mind Z – Amygdala (Main Mix)
Seb used to love playing this, an absolute destroyer of the Gallery dancefloor, 12 minutes long of pure Friday tech house…
Judge Jules…
“Alongside democracy, the free press and the NHS, The Gallery is nothing short of a great British institution! I’d go so far as to say no underground club night, has put on more parties, booked more artists, or brought joy to more clubbers than The Gallery. Here’s to the next 20 years!”
I was with you at the club’s 10th Birthday when you said to Danny “imagine if we are still doing this in another 10 years!”. Well fuck me you are. What are the main reason that The Gallery has continued for so long. I put it down to the professionalism of the promoters. You’ll probably put it down to your crowd?
Bit of both I hope. I reckon our policy of DJ talent seemed to have worked. Headliners alongside new up and coming talent, spotted by our ever searching team.
Tell us about the time when you sold your beloved Turnmills. Was there ever any other potential home for the night other than The Ministry?
There was a few options to move to but circumstances at the time prevented us wanting to buy a club, so we starting looking for a new home for the Gallery. Ministry’s different rooms worked for us so here we are.
Sander van Doorn…
“Playing at The Gallery is always insane, especially have fond memories of my residency days at Turnmills! I’m really looking forward to celebrate this special year with you on the 22nd of May.”
A quote from you recently…”It does seem like London could do with a few more specialist clubs, maybe in a few years we might see the like of Turnmills re-appearing.” Discuss….
I’ve seen some iconic clubs go in London and not really been replaced. I know the festival vibe is strong with the popularity of types of dance music at the moment, but I’ve seen many trends and I’m not sure how much milk is left with the huge festival thing. My prediction is in around 3 years time a demand for more specialised clubs will come through.
Paul Oakenfold…
“The Gallery is one of my favourite clubs, it has been for many years now – even before it moved from Turnmills to Ministry of Sound. I’ve been playing for a long time since the early days, and it has always stood for good production, great sound and a quality team!”
Right let’s crack on with the cycling. When I saw you at Mambo last summer my first thought was that you’d had a secret son. You looked so healthy dude. What is the story behind your new No. 1 love of pedal power…
Doctors orders, three years ago my left knee was struggling with my beloved running so I needed to find something else sharpish. Cycling is the next best thing and Ibiza is a lovely ride, I insist I take you out one day Dan…
As long as it’s a tandem dude. Moving on, how much involvement do you have with the organization of SW4?
It’s Danny’s baby, I just bug him for drinks tickets on the day .We chat early in the year about artists and DJs that he would like downwith, but he has a pretty strong idea of where he wants to go with it.
Markus Schulz…
“From clubber at Turnmills to resident DJ at Ministry of Sound, my associations with London and The Gallery have played a pivotal role in my career development. I am honoured to have been associated with their outstanding crew throughout the years, and look forward to creating yet more magical Friday night memories at Ministry in the future.”
The biggest tune in your box this weekend?
Lovin Arms – Tall Paul (Hoare House)
And finally Mr Newman, on the evening of Saturday April 12th as The Gallery rocks out another sell out party in London, what do you think your old fella is thinking looking down at his two whippersnappers…?
I do often wonder Dan. He probably can’t believe how much Danny spends on advertising and production. That was always a healthy argument around the dinner table…
***
The Gallery celebrates it’s 20th Birthday at The Ministry of Sound in London on Friday April 10th.
Ticket link…
http://www.ministryofsound.com/events/calendar/club/2015/02/10/17/56/150410-gallery-20th-birthday
Head to the birthday mini-site for more information, The Gallery timeline, memories and more:
