Everyone remembers their first time…

…feeling a little shy and unsure exactly what to expect, you paid your money and took that first giant leap...

As you walked through the doors of your first ever hard house event your jaw hit the floor. Your eyes took in a medley of UV drapes and backdrops, awesome lasers and smiling faces. Your nose registered beer, smoke and the adrenaline pumping from the bodies of scores of others who are there for the exact same reason you are…..to experience the amazingly orgasmic sounds that erupt from speakers the size of elephants.

But, most of all to experience the EXPERIENCE.

To experience a feeling that can only be described as UNITY. To be in a place where “social norms” and outside rules are suspended for a few hours, hours that are always over too soon. To help create a space where all people of all description are welcomed, embraced and celebrated, where we are all “normal”, where everyone is in “the cool group”.

A place to dance to the beats that awake that certain “tribal feeling” within us all.
A space in time where the only label one bears is “RAVER”. And this we bear with pride, and preferably daubed on foreheads in UV paint.

“Remember when….?”

Remember when everything was shiny and brilliant?
To achieve that electric “UNITY” atmosphere you need more than just a venue, a few tunes and DJs and a light rig.
Like many others who have shared their opinions with me, I felt myself becoming jaded and disillusioned with the scene I love so much.

A mental image of Mr. Faceless Promoter counting cash began to rise in imaginations far too easily for comfort. Counting cash and checking profit margins whilst herding the next flock of ravers into the next over-priced, over-capacity, under-air conditioned event, with only fading trust in a once-reputable name keeping the whole thing afloat.

Too many sheep in the flock began to feel like the “cool guys” from ‘Human Traffic’ (too cool to rave?!) and the flock began to shuffle uneasily, unused to this awkward feeling of not-quite-belonging. Increasing amounts of conversations started and ended with “remember when?”

The lost sheep needed a new shepherd, a new keeper of the flock. One who would care, who would listen to their needs, fulfil promises, and provide a safe haven in which to grow and thrive.
A good shepherd wants no return except to see his flock happy, satisfied, and bonding into a community, an extended family.

I was a lost raver and Night Shift my shepherd.

Like a pair of familiar open arms, Night Shift’s first event last June welcomed many lost sheep into its fold and worked its magic amongst the flock. Many jaws dropped in the doorway – reminiscent of that ‘first time’. The atmosphere was happy, open, friendly and magical.
By morning there was not one stranger in the building – we had all been united by a shiny new “remember when?”
By the end of the weekend the internet was buzzing; “best night I’ve ever been to,”, “you should’ve been there dude,”, “when’s the next one?”
After only one event the name Night Shift had rustled like a cheeky breeze through the jaded cobwebs and awakened….something.

Night Shift declares itself a night “by ravers, for ravers”, along with the team’s mantra “tell us what you want and we’ll make it happen”.
These aren’t new ethics, but fuelled by their overwhelming desire to bring those “remember when” events into the NOW, the Night Shift Team proudly produce brilliant results. This was well and truly proven when doors opened on the second Night Shift event in October 2007.

“….If you paint it UV, they will come….”

The flock returned and with them came the friends who “should’ve been there” back in June.

Outside fire performers greeted them with spirals of orange flame flickering against the backdrop of the converted church – the Mass, the home venue of Night Shift.
Inside flowed a pulsating rainbow of brightly painted faces, fluffy boots, white t-shirts and multi-coloured clubbing outfits.
Ever been to an event where you’re the only one in cyber gear? Unlikely to happen here, as there is a strong emphasis on UV and costumes of any sort are vigorously encouraged, with the Night Shift team all setting the example. True efforts are rewarded with entry concessions.

Resident performers mesmerise with poi tricks, LED hula hoop displays, glowstick moves, and choreography.
You are struck by the friendly comfortable atmosphere, and notice that the performers are not only trading tricks with each other but teaching the ravers as well. There is no animosity or ‘preciousness’ over their skills.
DJs, performers and the Night Shift team are friendly, approachable and enjoying the night as much as the crowd.

Set after set, hour after hour, established household DJs spin the decks alongside London’s emerging fresh talent, smashing up both rooms with wave after wave of uplifting golden sound. Live video-link from the DJ box is transmitted into huge screens suspended from the ceiling, which was genius and added an extra dimension to the DJs sets.

What strikes you most is the enjoyment and passion radiating from every person around you. They are all here to do what they love best, AT their best in a setting where they FEEL their best.

Night Shift is created from the heart, with enthusiasm and love, by people who cherish the “remember when?” and are passionate about making it the “NOW” over and over again.
A “NOW” that we can all exist in, thrive in, smile in and, most importantly, feel at home in.
A “NOW” to look back on in years to come and say “…remember when?”

Night Shift, with input from it’s rapidly growing community, craft events that re-awaken the true raver spirit within each individual and invites everyone to come and be a part of something unique and brilliant and OURS!

“REMEMBER NOW…..?”