We wouldn’t ‘Trade’ this guy for anyone…
Hi Laurence, hope you are well young man.
So the club that you own – Egg, now entering year 7. In my opinion your venue is one of the most underrated nightclubs in London. Do you think you do not get the accolades that other venues such as Fabric and say, The Ministry get in the press?
“Egg is a unique venue with a unique crowd, we are not as obvious as some of the other clubs in London, not sure if that’s a bad thing and I think that the press find it very hard to put Egg in a category or a box.”
A new year and a lot of changes. ‘Blow’ for instance – you want to make this the best Friday night in the country. A younger crowd that you’re bringing us different levels of music such as Drum N’ Bass and Dubstep – what’s the story here?
“We have been running Friday night’s in house for the last three years with ‘Always Fridays’, we’ve had some fantastic nights, but I feel it’s time to innovate and take the night to the next level. Fridays are changing at Egg, really putting some fun back into the night. I think it’s something that London is missing at the moment.”
Egg has had some recent renovations, walls have come crashing down, a new Sound System in place, the new plastic garden bubble – how do you think the current state of the state of recession is going to affect UK clubland in 2010? Are you confident the money that you have spent has been wise; are we on the way up?
“In a time of recession you can either shrink and hide away or you can push through it. I’m really proud how Egg is evolving at the moment, the place is looking fantastic. It’s my opinion you must evolve, improve and change in a recession or lose the race. I’m expecting big things from 2010.”
Some great new Saturdays on the way in – what are you most excited about? Tell us about ‘Siren’ and ‘BODYMOVE’ for instance…
“Egg’s Saturday nights are rocking at the moment, we have some fantastic new nights starting to enhance this. ‘BODYMOVE’ is a promotion that my team in the office have been putting together for months, we launch this in March which will coincide with the launch of our new VIP Area.”
Best club (except your own) you have ever partied at?
“Two years ago was my first visit to Berghain in Berlin, it’s the longest time I’ve ever spent in someone else’s club, thirteen hours in total.”
Okay, you own the venue next door to Egg where Boy George has a new night called God Speed – a party for people basically in rehab for drink or drugs – a brilliant, brilliant idea. I hear there may be some quite large superstar DJs guesting in coming months…?
‘God Speed’ is a fantastic night, so energetic and a really nice crowd, yes I understand from George and Tony that we have a massive guest for the next party, not allow to say who though yet!
I know who it is but my lips are sealed!
Your ‘Breakfast’ @ Egg madness has to be the maddest session in the capital – whispers on the dance floor are that you may be extending the party to Sunday afternoons this year?
“We have some big things in the pipeline, so watch this space, I’m really excited though.”
Have you ever had problems with running a such a late night Sunday party with the police regarding drugs/local residents etc?
“We have a fantastic working relationship with the police and work very closely with local residents, running and supporting local initiatives.”
How did you personally get into the whole dance music / club running / ownership business?
“I was in a band and I was interested in music, I was just putting on small parties for friends, I never did it to make money just plugging a gap for myself and my friends.”
What music were you into as a kid growing up?
“Always Techno.”
The whole of The Kings Cross clubbing area was obviously desecrated by the Channel Tunnel development – I understand though that your area is soon to be brought a huge new street of student bars, clubs and accommodation – what’s the story here?
“The Kings Cross development is one of the biggest regeneration projects in Europe and we are at the heart of it, it’s going to be one of the biggest social centre’s in London, bringing loads of fantastic people to the area. New bars, new shops and new people can only be a good thing. Kings Cross will be on everybody’s lips for years to come.”
You are obviously the guy behind one of the world’s finest club night’s ever, ‘Trade’, the night gave you the passport to Egg – what are the plans for 2010 for Trade?
“2010 is Trade’s 20th year, prepare yourselves for some big news, including a new residency and a world tour.”
Tony de Vit was my resident at Sundissential in Birmingham – an inspiration. Was he the best ever DJ to play at Turnmills for ‘Trade’?
“Trade was a stable for many talented DJ’s and Tony was one of them.”
Who were the most famous faces you ever got down to ‘Trade’?
“This list is endless, even today I’m shocked by the celebrities that I came into contact with and tell me they have been to ‘Trade’. ‘Trade’ was never about celebrity status, even though we attracted many today’s celebrities from Madonna, Alexandra Mc Queen through to Robbie Williams, it’s easier to mention the ones that weren’t there or couldn’t get in.”
Pete Wardman closed Trade at Turnmills to Sunday March 16th with the record ‘Schoneberg’ by Marmion – what however do you think was the biggest Trade anthem of all time?
“E Tracks – ‘Lets Rock’, but my favourite by far was Vincent Demoor’s ‘Flowtation’, It still brings a tear to my eye, it always reminds me of Tony de Vit.”
And finally, what’s your favourite style of egg for breakfast?
“I hate Eggs!”
EGG
200 York Way, Kings Cross, London, N7 9AP
Tel: 020 7609 8364
web: http://www.egglondon.net
myspace: http://www.myspace.com/egglondon