London set for ‘rave renaissance’ with new 24hr venue

The Shapes Collective, an artists’ collective founded by Seb Glover, owner of now-shuttered Hackney venue Shapes, has announced the launch of Fold, a new 24-hour electronic music venue in industrial east London.

The 600-capacity venue will officially open with a 24-hour launch party starting on 18 August, and aims to spur a “rave renaissance” in the British capital, say promoters, bringing together “fellow ravers from all over the city” with a 110dB soundsystem and DJs playing “the most progressive electronic sounds from the UK and beyond”.

Located in an unassuming, non-residential location between Canning Town and Star Lane, Fold will share a membership scheme with other Shapes venues Many Hands (Bermondsey) and the Glove that Fits (Hackney), and additionally incorporate a recording complex comprising five studios.

Lasha Jorjoliani, Fold co-founder, says: “Fold presents an uncompromising schedule of forward-thinking electronic music. Veering away from the regular four to the floor, we offer a smorgasbord of alien sounds from the unknown. Twenty four-hour events generally take place on Saturdays; Fridays we go till late and mid-week live events are till 3am. Our opening season includes label takeovers from Ilian Tape, Clone and Pinkman, with a carefully curated selection of headliners supported by the Fold crew.

“The 24-hour programme gives us a unique opportunity to surprise, challenge and inspire. Expect extended set times, obscure B2Bs [back-to-back DJs] and a generally more expansive pallet of sounds over the course of one event.”

“What we have created at Fold is a new home, tucked away from the pressures of the city”

“London, unlike other leading European cities such as Berlin or Amsterdam, has struggled in recent times,” adds Glover. “Gentrifying forces have put huge pressures on artists and musicians, with many leaving as a result. Licensed venues, which is where artists and DJs are predominantly able to earn their living, have come under attack.

“What we have created at Fold is a new home, tucked away from the pressures of the city – a place where you can listen to extended sets on a tuned soundsystem tailored to the specifications of the room to maximise the experience of the space.

“We strive to do things differently in London, cultivating a more continental approach, creating a place where you can spend extended periods or come and go as you please. We welcome all races, all religions, all genders, all countries of origin, all sexual orientations…

“Our focus is creating a safe space that is disconnected from the intense pressures of London life – that allows freedom of expression, positivity and inspiration to take form.”

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