Clubland 90s

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Then there were Fat Cats, Revolution, Varsity, Manhattan’s, Chicos and more I can’t recall – all places we frequented at one time or another, forging friendships, building relationships, laughing and toasting a future too distant to care about. Eichner earned a reputation as a reliable and talented photographer and caught the attention of Gene DiNino, owner of the Roxy nightclub, and was granted access into the venue’s exclusive VIP spaces. Located at 515 West 18th Street, the Roxy was loud and proud, featuring an erotic roller disco and a house drag queen that could be seen soaring above the dance floor on her suspended throne. For Steve Eichner, this was pure visual ecstasy, but the party didn’t end there. Through word of mouth, he soon discovered the thrilling world of illegal raves on the streets of Manhattan known as “outlaw parties,” and the outrageous Club Kids who threw them.

For Peter Gatien, the closing of Club USA marked the beginning of the end for Clubland; by the end of the decade, Gatien would be deported to his home country of Canada under charges of tax evasion. Many of the promoters, artists, and Club Kids who helped define the scene had succumbed to the lifestyle’s heavy use of drugs and alcohol; and in 1996, the murder of Club Kid and purported drug dealer Andre Melendez by Michael Alig and his roommate Robert “Freeze” Riggs meant that the party was truly over. Each frame is like a snapshot from a fever dream that tingles the senses—the visceral heat of the bodies, the smell of the spilled liquor, the deafening bass. New York City nightlife in the early 1990s was a hot and visceral experience. Drenched in throbbing neon while whirling away inside the relentless, pulsating music, a simple passing glance and an open mind could lead to the journey of a lifetime. True freedom was something tangible—even addictive. Freedom from one’s self. Freedom from society’s expectations. Freedom from the politics and anxieties that dwell beyond the club walls. In New York after dark, life was indulged to the heart’s content, and there was plenty to go around.Clubland TV remains one of the most popular music channels on UK music TV – constantly bringing a unique mix of the both the classics and the new tunes to thousands of people everyday It was an eye-opening experience for a young lad from Cheadle, but I have rarely spent time in such a welcoming and carefree crowd since. Read More Related Articles

Most people associate Ibiza’s popularity with 70s hippies. However, the island was already bustling in the 1930s, 1940s, 1950s, and early sixties - when Ibiza life was quite a bohemian affair. Pioneers, writers, painters and other artists were working and enjoying life from the magic white island way before the hippies came. But there was more to The Place than just the basement. If a change of pace was required late on, you had the option of the upstairs bar, where the music was less intense in volume and pace. Off Union Square was Palladium, a mega club located in what is today a New York University dormitory on 14th Street between Irving Place and Third Avenue. The building was built in the 1920s as a movie palace and by the sixties was hosting bands like the Rolling Stones and the Grateful Dead. When Steve Eichner and his camera arrived, the bill featured music icons like Prince and Run DMC, as well as new acts like Naughty By Nature, LL Cool J, and A Tribe Called Quest—solidifying this venue’s reputation as New York’s premiere hip-hop scene. Bold experiments in music, fashion, art, and sexuality set the tone for decades to come and established a new paradigm of American culture, one that extends well beyond the realms of nightlife and entertainment. Sexuality was celebrated in all of its colorful forms and without judgement. In these clubs, every breed of New Yorker—from candy-eyed ravers to Wall Street suits—intermingled with respect and longing for an unforgettable night. While I was less keen on the American Diner part of the club – I can still taste one of their burgers that I threw up shortly after a lengthy stint on the Smirnoff Ice – it was nice to have the option to be able to get food. It was also a great place to escape the dancefloor between tunes and be able to chat.The Void, in particular, was a favoured destination for clubbers from all over the UK, regularly hosting world-famous DJs such as Pete Tong, Carl Cox, Judge Jules and local legend, Pete Bromley. A typical night out in Hanley for me would begin with me catching the Disco Bus – the 232 Uttoxeter to Hanley service, every quarter past and a quarter to – into town. While The Place could generate a heady atmosphere with a smaller headcount, Valentino’s needed a big crowd to get it jumping. But when it was full, it delivered some of the best nights out for me and my friends. From foam parties and all-you-can-drink sessions, to fairgrounds on the car park, Vally’s was not afraid to mix it up. Mystiques played host to one of the best nights out of my life. We went for a friend’s 18th and, honestly, I smiled and laughed myself hoarse. The 70s saw the real arrival of the tourist boom that has continued ever since. It also saw the opening of the discos, which would define history of Ibiza clubbing to the present day. Rave made it big in the 80s, Balearic house really emerged in the 90s, and today an eclectic mix of musical styles and people make it a massive tourist industry and one of the most fascinating and mind-blowing places to visit.

There are more pubs, clubs and bars I want to mention because, in all honesty, we were spoilt for choice. Clubland began as a series of compilation albums in 2002 and was the umbrella brand for an entire movement of commercial dance music which spawned countless classic dance hits over the past 20 years with artists such as Cascada, Scooter, BassHunter and Ultrabeat amongst many, many more – selling 30m albums The starting point for an epic night out was always The Pig and Truffle. I adore that pub, and although it lived on in various guises, it’ll always be the P&T to me. Once again we’ll be in Glasgow, Manchester, Newcastle and Aberdeen but new venues now included in Belfast and Nottingham.Ibiza has been a haven for music lovers, clubbers and partygoers for many years. But with its ability to welcome and cater for pretty much every niche, it’s easy to get caught up in the metamorphism and forget about the rich history that engulfs the walls and beaches of the island. How is it that this small Balearic Island became such a music Mecca? Was it a great band or the venue that made the time so special... or was there just something in the air? Following the massive success of last year’s tour – we are proud to announce that Clubland will be returning to the UK arena for six shows in April/ May of 2024. Clubland are a series of compilation albums from Clubland released by Universal Music TV and All Around the World Productions.