00:01 – The Return

Monday the 19th July 2021 will become one of the most memorable dates in England’s history. The UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson has announced the lifting of most lockdown restrictions and legal COVID requirements such as mandatory face coverings and social distancing. 

Dubbed ‘Freedom Day’, this special date also marks the opening of the nightlife industry in full, including all nightclub venues, both indoors and out and with full operational capacity. After a devastating 16 months for the hospitality industry, bars, clubs, DJs, promoters, sound engineers, bar staff, door staff, and many many more related professions will finally get the opportunity to return to their careers and take the first steps in rebuilding their livelihoods. 

Many venues have put plans in place to open their doors as the clock strikes 00:01 on the 19th, with celebrations set to start with pinpoint accuracy. We can already sense a multitude of Monday hangovers and sick day calls, and let’s be honest, who could argue?! 

We look at some of the most appealing parties taking place around the UK at 1 minute past midnight. These showcases will be unleashing sonics through those ground-shaking sound systems and feeding our souls once more with music and love. 

Some of the events we have included are still to confirm billing, but we know that they will open with a bang!

London 

EGG – The Re-Birth W/ Yousef & Kyle E
5-13 Vale Royal, N7 9AP

EGG Ldn is one of the most widely-adored venues in London and has announced its ‘Re-Birth’ event at 00:01 with Circus head honcho, Yousef, who spearheaded the COVID test event in Liverpool, working tirelessly for the hospitality cause. It will be an event packed full of emotion and adoration as London embarks on its recovery journey in a post-COVID world.
The club’s new entrance is now located in the corner lane, Vale Royal.

Fabric – Frame Presents: A Journey to Planet 9 W/ Sweely, Desert Sound Colony
77A Charterhouse Street, EC1 

Sundays at Fabric are always a sight to behold. The globally- famed London underground venue kicks off its post-COVID programming with underground brand Frame and their ‘A Journey to Planet 9’ concept – An immersive world of artistry, expressiveness and innovations. An intergalactic experience showcasing some of the finest in underground, electronic acts. French DJ and producer Sweely leads a typically ‘Fabric’ eclectic and elegant lineup, sure to pack a punch. 

Leeds 

Mint Warehouse – System presents: The Grand Reopening 
Aquatite House, Holbeck, Leeds LS11

The iconic Mint Warehouse in Leeds has a glittering reputation for an electric vibe, playing host to some of the worlds finest electronic music talent. Not messing about, Mint will be launching straight into action at 00:01 with a lineup headlined by Fuse resident Archie Hamilton, supported by a freshly stacked local talent programme. 

Liverpool 

24 Kitchen Street – Return to Rave 
4 Kitchen Street, Liverpool L1 

Liverpool’s creative hub is situated in the Baltic Triangle and is utilised for many prominent club nights and festivals. After 16 long months, the diverse space will unlock the chains on the clubbing side and unleash their ‘Return to Rave’ event. These events showcase the best in house music, minimal techno & acid house and are welcomed back to 24 Kitchen Street with a 2-part spectacle. Local heroes Dobbs (She/They), Dowd, Kusp & Nikki Chong provide the soundtrack. 

Manchester 

South – A New Beginning: Part 1 
4A S King Street, Manchester M2 

The basement returns! Known for its intimate vibe and raw, authentic setting, South finally opens its doors on the 19th of July. The Manchester hotspot opened in 1995 and has gained a reputation for distinct, underground frequencies blasting out of its Funktion 1 sound system. Expect all sorts of wild celebrations at one minute past midnight. (Line up TBC) 

Kent 

The Source – Source Reopening 
Rose Yard, Maidstone ME14 

Kent’s leading underground electronic music haven is taking the reset head-on with a freshly revamped venue, and a lineup packed full of local talent. Pre-pandemic, The Source had worked tirelessly to become a staunch supporter and authority within the dance music scene. Kicking things off on the 19th at 00:01 is a carefully curated lineup of local talent, staying true to the venue ethos. Adam Brown, Cameron Moore and Dempsee will be just a few of the rapidly-rising talent names on show. 

We cannot express enough just how important it will be to support the nightlife industry moving forward. Through adversity now comes opportunity and hope to us all. Many of our industry professionals have suffered catastrophic consequences of the pandemic, both financially and mentally. Therefore it is vital for us, the dance community, to fuse and rebuild the scene. Let us create new heights and build a vibrancy never seen or heard before. 

As a music journalist, DJ and promoter, this has been one of the most joyous articles to write and represents a new and exciting era for us all.