In September 2020 we had State of the Independents day on BBC Radio 6 Music. It was a day devoted to doing a health check on the UK’s independent music sector, looking at the challenges, opportunities and responses of the sector caused by the global pandemic lockdown. There’s no doubt - club culture has taken a MASSIVE hit. When lockdown happened DJs, producers and platforms all over the world were able to move sets online. Whether they were for long-established platforms like Boiler Room, record label live streams, personal DJ pages, one off events like DJ EZ’s 24 hour set or raising money for foodbank charities as was the case with Live For Love, everyone was at it! In some areas of Europe like Barcelona in Spain- clubs reopened at the end of June but shut again a few weeks later as the virus surged.

Here in the UK clubbing remained off the cards - but in a short space of time post lockdown some venues were able to diversify in a bid to stay open hosting seated, socially distanced events. Meanwhile globally - virtual clubbing boomed.

I have been exploring how the scene has been adapting and what needs to be done to safeguard club culture for the months ahead…