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Together again at Turnmills
By Charlotte Melville, London Lite 25.01.08
The party to end 'em all: Together at Turnmills is a must-visit before the venue closes in March
Cool: the crowd at Together is a mix of die-hard ravers and Shoreditch types
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After 20 years and more than 3,000 club nights, legendary Farringdon hotspot Turnmills will close its doors for the final time on 23 March. Over the last two decades it has played host to the biggest DJs in the world, as well as supporting new talent and helping to launch the careers of stars including Paul Oakenfold, Judge Jules, Paul van Dyk and The Chemical Brothers.
But it seems the developers' wrecking ball has it in for London's club scene. After the closure of The Cross, The Key and Canvas earlier this month, now Turnmills's time is up. The lease has run out and the landlord plans to develop the site.
Much to my shame, I'd never been to the club, so decided I had to pay a visit while I still could.
Together is Turnmills' hugely successful monthly house/electro/indie crossover club night, featuring live bands as well as promoting up-and-coming talent and pulling in big-name DJs.
The night celebrates its second birthday tomorrow with a party that will pull out all the stops. We got a sneak preview with a one-off Together night earlier this month.
As we descended the seemingly neverending stairs, I was impressed by the elaborate décor - I've never seen such a labyrinth. This place was in a different class to the grimy, dingy sweatboxes I'd come to expect from some other big London dance clubs: chandeliers softly lit the top floor, while fairy lights highlighted the exposed brickwork downstairs.
Virtually every wall was a bar, making it easy for my friend Briony to put in the first order (vodka and tonics, £3.50 each). At 11.30pm the club was already filling up with attractive young things. The atmosphere was relaxed and not at all edgy - die-hard ravers seemed happy to mix in with Shoreditch types.
With its cutting-edge music programming and consistently brilliant nights, it was hard to believe that Turnmills would be turning 20 later this year.
When the club opened in 1985 as a champagne bar no one could've predicted its success or longevity - every year it has been voted one of the top 20 clubs in the world.
The trick has been to unswervingly book the best artists. And for Together nights that means inviting David Guetta and 2ManyDJs, as well as expertly hand-picking fresh young future stars. For tomorrow's birthday party, Hot Chip, Fischerspooner, Justin Robertson, The Maccabees and The Metros will be performing.
Another thing that sets Turnmills apart from other clubs is its many and varied rooms - making it perfect for nights like
Together with its huge range of different acts. We meandered through to the main room where Tronik Youth, a DJ duo with a growing fan base and a reputation for inspired remixes, were bashing out an invigorating set and getting everyone in the mood for the all-night party. The line-up in here featured Yuksek (France's hottest new export) and rising star DJ/producer Alex Metric.
Any thoughts of an early night were blown away when we found the Zombie Disco Squad in room two, who were leading the troops in what would prove to be the best room of the night.
Next came a stomping and uplifting set from the gifted Hannah Holland, who mixed intoxicating beats to the dirtiest of basslines.
Continuing the girl power behind the decks, the all-female trio Bastard Batty Bass took over next - and even the bouncer guarding the emergency exit couldn't stand still.
By this time, I was ready to embark on a proper tour of the maze. On my travels I marvelled at the number of chill-out areas, full of lounging groups. One even offered a screening of the Eighties film Gremlins.
Yet despite all the different areas, the lack of doors in the venue allowed the music to mix easily through the club.
All too soon residents Streetlife DJs were doing a poor job of persuading everyone to go home. The four of us eventually admitted defeat at 6am, in spite of the urge to chain ourselves to the DJ booth. There will be a lot of that in the next two months - it's the end of an era. See you there for the last dance.
Together at Turnmills, 63B Clerkenwell Road, EC1.
Saturday, Jan 26, 10pm-7am, £12 adv, £15 on the door
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Reader views (4)
I can't believe it...I'm back to the UK in July and Turnmills is dead...truly gutted...
Best club night you'll ever have.
- John Polhill, Fleet, Hampshire / Melbourne, Australia
I spent many confused nights at Trade and the Gallery in the mid-nineties. Rather like being on another planet for several hours then emerging blinking in to the daylight at the end of it all. What is happening to London's club venues? The Cross and Turnmills going and the Astoria soon to be bulldozed. We might end up like some European cities where you have to go to the outskirts to find a large club venue. Do we really need another soulless office block in Farringdon? I'm actually surprised the building isn't listed -it's very much a part of the area and will be sadly missed. There are a lot of bad eighties/nineties office buildings around there only redemmed by some very characterful Victorian edifices. This city is in danger of becoming a very dull place.
- Tony Mcmahon, London, UK
I remember the days there watching David Morales on the decks and when Mad Frank Fraser went off there too, oh they were the days....
- Nick Johnson, Gold Coast Australia
My favourite club in my young days. If you haven't been there, I suggest you go there before it is demolished.
- Jose, London
