International News
Prydz on Swedish House Mafia
“I always really wanted to go my own way. I’m not part of the collective known... [more]
One of London – and the world’s – most acclaimed nightclubs, The End & AKA, have announced that after 13 years they will close their doors for the last time on 24 January, 2009. Consistently rated as one of the world’s premier nightspots, The End has played host to just about every major DJ that counts since opening on 1 December, 1995. Promoters and labels running parties there include Buzzin’ Fly, Olmeto, MN2S, Circo Loco, Cocoon and Laurent Garnier, and they’re drawn punters in from around the world to be seduced (and deafened) by the club’s monster sound system and – quite literally – underground atmosphere.
As director Layo Paskin (of Layo & Bushwacka fame) explains, the decision to close the clubs was not an easy one. “It’s partially a circumstantial decision, and partially a decision of choice,” he says. “It wasn’t a purely financial decision – it was about beginning again for us. We felt that we’d done what we could do here, and we wouldn’t want to be in a position where we’re just repeating ourselves. So the choice we were faced with was either how to develop The End, or how to let go.”
“The End isn’t a club where we over-market ourselves – we attract talent, fantastic DJs and promoters, and we work with that talent to promote certain styles of music and parties,” he went on to explain. “And that’s why after all these years it’s kept such a cool core crowd, because it isn’t over exposed. The music varies through the month, different nights appeal to different people. We’ve had to compete 365 days a year, and we have to run it unbelievably well to compete – I think our standards here are fantastic, but equally, it does take a lot out of you. Plus the option to be able to close on a high appeals to our romantic nature.”
If you’re in London, or you’re heading there in the next few months, Paskin confirmed that the club will be sent off in typically massive style. There will be a series of closing parties featuring The End’s closest DJs and promoters, and then a grand closing weekend on January 23rd and 24th. For more details visit www.endclub.com/goodbyebaby. The End is nigh!
hydee says...
damn ben watt is gunna be devo'd, he loved that club
JackT says...
It's a damn shame.
CloudTwo says...
I'm devo'd, only got to go there once and it was one of the coolest clubs i'v been too, with some of the best music, crowd was great too. But hey atleast i got in before it closed. Who knows maybe layo n mr c will open something even better one day..i hope lol.
Tribal Dancer says...
What a shame. One of the most fantastic nights out I have ever had was in that place for a Layo