As a 20-year-old student, I have of course done my fair share of London clubs, because that is the main activity on my weekends (or even during the week). However, being at Goldsmiths has taught me that I have missed out on the main topic of discussions, raves. Everyone is free to go wherever, but I suddenly felt a wave of ‘FOMO’ when I heard all the coolest people go to them. Though, there was one problem. I don’t particularly like the noise, or as they call it, techno…
In addition to this, I also do not do drugs. FYI, I went to Fabric, which still technically counts as a rave. The club was permanently closed in 2016 The club was permanently closed in 2016, because of two drug-related deaths. Sadiq Khan, the Mayor of London, and other important figures of London nightlife protested this closure. London has lost 50% of its nightclubs since 2008 and with that its world-class reputation. Hence, as a result Fabric was reopened with strict conditions in November 2016.
This was evident at the entrance of the club, where I felt like I was going through a Heathrow security check. Being over 19 is mandatory, which was quite a shock when my fresher friends and I wanted to come by earlier last year and were rejected. I was prepared this time, and by that I mean, I was the least drunk person in the queue. My roommate, who went later that night, told me that they escorted one group member (who the security guards thought was too drunk), to an outside balcony behind the club.
In the security, we went through a peaceful experience of being checked from head to toe, even through my wallet. Stickers were put on our phone cameras, and absolutely no pictures allowed. ‘Staying in the moment’ – their motto-written on the walls in bold, white letters. It’s easy to stay in the moment when there is literally no internet connection, anywhere. So I danced, I looked around for security, I took off the sticker on my camera and took pictures of the waiter’s shirt which said; ‘Fuck Off, I’m Dancing’, or ‘Don’t be a Creep.’ It gives the whole club a minimalist allure.
In terms of general ambiance, Fabric is a good recommendation if you’re looking for a night of looking around for your lost friends. Sometimes, you feel like you’re not actually in a club but in an underground parking lot. Due to its large choice of rooms, with different stairs leading to other dark spaces, you feel like you’re not really in a club. Thankfully, we were not very sober, hence the experience was: out of the ordinary. Fabric is located in a former meat-packing warehouse, and Time Out magazine even states that they have the “finest low-frequencies and the deepest grooves in town, as the hip crowds that pack out the dancefloor will testify”. I would say, I have seen more ‘fine’ music, as it sounded more like a constant fluctuation of booms.
Nonetheless, to make sure that the readers don’t waste too much time, we have agreed on a global rating of this experience. It is important to consider my position, some may say, slightly posh and French, as well as an enjoyer of Mayfair clubs. Having said that, Fabric is to me a good beginning to the rave scene. I would mark a strong 8/10 for the experience, since I did have fun but also paid £28 for it, and not counting the numerous drinks (which we didn’t pay). I am proud to say to my ‘creative’ friends that I have been there and done that. Will I come back? Possibly. For one reason, there is space and choice, in addition to there not being actual hard techno. Would I recommend it? To be fair, I don’t really need to. It’s London’s most famous clubbing establishment.