A UK rave crew, Starbass, are holding a “sit-in protest rave” at a closed nightclub in Dartford, as part of the Save Our Nightlife campaign. ATIK nightclub in Dartford was shut down earlier this month amid country-wide club closures by owner Rekom UK. Starbass UK is using “squatting loopholes” to stage a “sit-in” rave in protest of the closure, as well as the recent slew of club closures around the UK. They believe the UK is “losing its musical heritage” and are offering opportunities for young creatives to immerse themselves in music instead of resorting to harmful alternatives.
The UK music scene is often “monopolized by industry giants”, and a major culprit of club closures is the “fight against anti-social behavior”. The organizers argue that they are passionate about providing opportunities and leveling the playing field – especially for individuals from challenging backgrounds. They also aim to steer youngsters away from negative paths by offering them a chance to express themselves through music instead of resorting to harmful alternatives. One of the organizers said, “In essence, it’s about breaking down barriers and fostering a culture that empowers individuals to express themselves through music, art and creativity as a whole which has a therapeutic effect as well as having a major impact alleviating anti-social behavior.”
ATIK owners Rekom UK – one of the UK’s largest nightclub operators – announced last month that administrators had been called in amid financial trouble. It’s reportedly set to undergo a restructure as part of the move. The company said the decision came amid a “challenging time for the industry” in 2023 – referencing factors such as a drop in student club-goers and soaring energy bills as sources for its financial woes. Casting doubt on the future of the 43 bars and nightclubs it currently owns, 17 clubs have been shuttered so far. Starbass stands in solidarity with the Save Our Nightlife campaign and is protesting to highlight the effects of club closures on young creatives, hoping to influence new policies that will help save the UK’s nightlife and its musical heritage
Read the full article from Mixmag here: Read More