COMMON GROUND
FOREWORDS
Sometimes I don’t think it’s possible to look at historical moments without considering the role of culture and especially music in people’s lives. This graphic novel tells a big story about how dance music has affected and helped change society for the better. I’d like to thank David Campbell for making this publication and Wendy Blemings who has been my constant guide and creative companion in Derry.
Jeremy Deller
The act of gathering, in person, and experiencing a collective moment has been at the heart of this new commission, The Triumph of Art by artist Jeremy Deller. It is a celebration of 200 years of the National Gallery with a major event taking place across each nation of the UK in Derry-Londonderry, Dundee, Llandudno, Plymouth, culminating in London. Each event speaks to local folklore and classical mythology with music, performance and crucially joy taking centre stage. What is left at the end of these events will be the memories of those who came and the mythologies of what they experienced passed down to those around them…and perhaps in years to come a graphic novel that captures the importance and the energy of being together.
Emily Stone: Project Curator - National Gallery
We can’t tell the definitive story about rave and dance music culture in this region, but here’s
The Triumph of Art / The Triumph of Music is a UK nation-wide project by artist Jeremy Deller. It was commissioned by the National Gallery, London, as part of NG200, its Bicentenary celebrations.
Emily Stone: Project Curator - National Gallery
Wendy Blemings: Art Fund Assistant Curator, The Triumph of Art, The Playhouse & National Gallery
1991
As the conflict in the north of Ireland, often referred to as ‘The Troubles’, raged into a third decade, something stirs in the North-West as a new scene develops, capturing the imagination of a generation.
Words by: David Campbell + Gareth Stewart
Common Ground
Art by: David Campbell
for
We visit this beautiful cottage in the West of Ireland, stunning located in the gre...
...talks between the main political parties stalled again, as the ...
...the trouble continued for a third night as youths responded to the bombing, setting fire to a ...
Derry, early 1990s
... leader of the party claims record unemployment in Londonderry and the North West is due to chronic underfundi...
load of shite...
Music offered alternatives.
...with the new sounds of dance music...
Much better alternatives...
...a scene was growing.
Why were people, particularly young people, so ready to embrace this new scene?
100 years of strife, division and conflict had impacted the people, but it didn’t define them. They found a way.
But there was an undeniable weight to the history, that had to be felt by a country’s population, and show in different ways.
Partition and the creation of the northern state left the island divided with the unequal system designed to keep people apart and to discriminate against the Catholic/Nationalist community. This led to the civil rights campaign of the 1960s and the 30 year long conflict that followed and the loss of thousands of lives.
During that time, Derry was divided.
Power was concentrated in the hands of a privileged few, while the majority lived under harsh laws designed to control and divide.
British rule created deep inequality. Irish people were excluded from political and economic life, and events like the Great Famine exposed the cruelty of a system that prioritised the ruling empire over people’s lives.
What went before, to lead to this complicated situation, and contribute to the unique character of the people?
By the early 1990s people had lived with the issues for years.
Britain’s occupation of Ireland spanned centuries, beginning with conquest and evolving into a system of colonisation that suppressed Irish culture and language.
This was largely along state-manufactured religious, political and class lines which meant people who lived yards apart, but were from different religions, did not learn, work, socialise or live together.
1991. The conflict on the streets reached a peak with the danger of it tipping into full scale civil war. Against this backdrop, the seeds were being sown for a rave revolution.
The strange, grim, madness of life during those times became normal, mundane even, as time went on. But who couldn’t understand a need to experience something else? For all sides.
Release
The dancefloor provided solace and escape.
Abandon Community
That truly amazing feeling, locked into a groove, losing yourself to the music. Magic.
‘Seeking
transcendence through repetitive beats’* A scene had found an eager audience.
*Quote from Andrew Weatherall interview
Origins: Rave in the North West of Ireland
1991
Two DJs in Derry played a big part in the origins of Rave Culture in the North West of Ireland. In ‘The Venue’ a young Paul ‘P’ Moran started DJing with Les Bennett, the biggest DJ in Derry at the time.
Dance music started seeping in ...
...and Paul and Les were allowed to play dance records for an hour before or after the slow set*.
Dance music had already taken root on the North Coast, in Portrush, where DJ Chris Hurley brought his own striking take on dance music to Kellys Nightclub.
But the North West, Border Country...
...hadn’t fully experienced this yet, but it wouldn’t take long.
Seeing the potential of this new music, Les approached Frank Shortt, the owner of The Point Inn, a venue just across the border in Donegal.
While technically classed as located in a different country by some, Derry people remained connected to neighbouring Donegal...
...a place for day trips and a release from the issues of the North...
...despite some (actual physical) barriers.
1992
It was a Friday Night.
It was a total sell-out.
It had really started, The Point Inn was truly born.
A new movement, a culture, a community, more interested in throwing shapes, not stones.
After some successful Sunday nights, with Les, Paul and guest Chris Hurley...
...they partnered with likeminded Belfast promoters to hold the first ‘Hellraiser’.
If you build it,
Les went back to his regular gig at The Venue and Paul P stayed, organising things... they will come...
...with a talented new supporting cast. Colin Bass, Bill X and Glen Molloy.
But raving here was a not a straightforward thing...
...you had to work hard for your spot on the dancefloor...
The Ring of Steel
The actual journey from Derry to The Point Inn, located in Quigley’s Point in Donegal, seemed simple enough, 20 minutes down the road.
But there were massive barriers in between, that could disrupt or stop your planned night. Or worse.
A British Army Border Checkpoint near Muff...
...where your vehicle and passengers were stopped... ...and possibly searched and detained.
THE POINT INN, COUNTY DONEGAL, IRELAND
GARDAI / RIOT POLICE / UNDERCOVER
QUIGLEY’S POINT
CUSTOMS/ GARDAI
Once across the border, there were often Customs checkpoints...
BRITISH ARMY BORDER CHECKPOINT
DERRY COUNTY DERRY, THE NORTH OF IRELAND
...where people were commonly stopped, strip searched and sometimes arrested.
And even when you reached The Point, there were regular heavy handed Gardaí raids, with riot police and sledgehammers shocking a friendly crowd of dancers.
At home too, were dangers to the activities of a raver...
...paramilitaries from both the Catholic (Republican) and Protestant (Loyalist) sides would take a keen interest in elements of the rave scene and in many cases, dramatic actions were taken.
MUFF
CULMORE
Lough Foyle
THERE AND BACK AGAIN Trusty Steeds
Additional Info:
Paying tribute to the dodgy motors that carried ravers to and from the party. Their contributions will never be forgotten, but remembered kind of vaguely, like a lot of things really.
Car: 1992 Ford Fiesta
Known as: ‘Blue Lightning’
Main driver: Claire
Tours of Duty: 6
Point Inn Runs: 27
Reports of up to 8 or 9 passengers in this small car on certain trips, so the car stopped before the border checkpoint to allow some of them to walk over the border, who were then collected when safely past the authorities.
Car: 1985 Fiat Panda
Known as: ‘Barney’
Main driver: Leisa
Tours of Duty: 9
Point Inn Runs: 93
Kelly’s Portrush: 38
Traks: 26
Misc: 124
Additional Info:
Holds the record for most times being stopped and searched by the border authorities. Rumoured to have taken DJ Carl Cox for a burger (in tin foil) in Muff, Co.Donegal.
But...young people having a release? The most fun they could have - they might ever have? The powers that be were not up for that. The mere suggestion of drugs was enough for a range of authorities and other ‘organisations’ to gear up. Drugs were definitely being used...
Over the next 2 years, there were a number of heavy handed drug busts in The Point Inn, with very little drugs found.
There was disbelief. But the Shortt family were vindicated when Frank was released.
But...27 months suffering in jail, his family subjected to vilification and terrible abuse...
...but it wasn’t just drugs. It was so much more.
Then in 1995, the owner Frank Shortt was arrested for allowing drugs to be sold on his premises and jailed for 3 years.
He sued the authorities and was eventually awarded €4.5m in damages from the State.
And the impact of The Point Inn? Massive. To some outsiders, just hedonistic partying - but to most who knew...
...unbelievable nights with the best of people. Beautiful madness. With an amazing soundtrack.
...money couldn’t erase this trauma...
...but was a confirmation of police corruption.
There’s an old story about legendary concerts that launched a thousand bands. The Point Inn was the night that fired imaginations, inspired many, and led to the launch of many more raves.
There had been heavy hearts when The Point was actually burned down in ‘95, by incendiary devices, planted by paramilitaries. Part of a shocking tale, even by the standards of those times.
The craziest thing was, despite all the various tensions at the time, there was little to none of that inside. It was irrelevant. People were one tribe. Ravers.
It wasn’t all sweetness and light, no large gatherings are...
...but on dancefloors, hands were shook, hugs were given and screams of joy were shared. Very little bullshit was tolerated.
rave was the biggest ever cross community project in Ireland...
...but not on purpose. Although nothing happens in a complete vacuum, mixing with other religions just happened, most were oblivious.
Lines weren’t blurred... there were no lines.
Further North in Kellys Portrush, the greatest mixing happened.
Even off duty British Soldiers and police, partied alongside a wide variety of Protestants and Catholics.
Unheard of at the time. Unnoticed on the dancefloor.
*Cross-community work: projects in the North of Ireland, ongoing to this day. to build bridges between communities, mainly the Catholic and Protestant communities. Generally part of ‘Peace and Reconciliation’ work in the region.
origins: deep fried funk celtronic
The early years of rave and dance music culture was the inspiration for a group of friends in Derry, mostly from Galliagh and Shantallow, who would eventually go on to become DJs and come together to organise a wide range of club nights, music events and festivals, founding Deep Fried Funk and then Celtronic. The rest of the crew supported the nights brilliantly and helped provide the atmosphere - turning up, tuning in, and rocking out.
Memory is a strange thing. These days, an ‘experienced’ raver might have problems remembering where they left their shoes, or car keys, or computer passwords... but have a crystal clear memory of when Frank De Wulf dropped Phylyps Trak, from Basic Channel, in the Ulster Hall, and blew their minds and definitions of what techno could be. The brain must work hard to keep the good stuff.
People can have valuable and meaningful experiences all through life, but there’s something about those formative years, those early events, that hits different - and can make a massive impact on who you are.
rave pilgrims
Some friends had gone to the Point Inn and then went further out in the world, exploring, searching for more of this music, these experiences.
They went to the The Ulster Hall in Belfast, used by Ian Paisley and the DUP for political rallies.
But the Underground crew threw a number of raves there, Hellraiser & Vengeance...
...found the hidden gem that was Club 69 in Paisley Glasgow, underneath an Indian restaurant.
A young Shantallow man found the Rex in Paris, unbelievable nights, spearheaded by DJ and musician Laurent Garnier, one of the scene’s leading lights.
Ran by Rub-a-Dub Records. They were warmly invited in. Magic people, magic place.
There were many more nightsand pilgrimages.
A young couple from Galliagh and Creggan...
David Holmes - Art College Belfast, Orb gigs (with DJ Lewis), Frank De WulfVengeance, Procyon in Lisburn (crazy night), Richie Hawtin - The Real McCoy, Daft Punk - Red Box, DJ Sneak - Shine, Aphex Twin - Hardcore, LTJ Bukem (anywhere)
...a quality plot twist.
These friends came back to Derry, excited, inspired.
They hung out in each other’s bedrooms, bought more and more records...
...then got their hands on a set of decks, turntables that would help make the final steps.
Continuing to travel to Belfast and Dublin on a regular basis to hear the best in house and techno, the friends realised the only way they were going to hear this music in Derry was if they did it themselves.... and Deep Fried Funk was born.
David Campbellresident at Planet of the Drums, a house/ techno night at the Earth/Strand Tavern, with Jack O’Hare.
Feargal McCloskey, the first to actually play out, started at the Venue, and was then a resident at the Blunt Club, a quality downtempo night with Mark Kenny, a purveyor of fine beats.
One by one they practised and unlocked the art of mixing, matching beats for the first time - that magic feeling as your first mix locked in, beats overlapping, moving around each other.
They started playing some house parties and random small gigs, with some getting the chance of a residency at regular club nights.
The first Deep Fried Funk parties were held in 1997 in Ling’s Chinese on Shipquay Street and The Factory in Rosemount.
Then there were a couple of sell-out midweek parties at The Dungloe Bar.
The Dungloe nights led to a Friday residency with local DJs David Campbell, Mark Jennings and F-Mac joined by some of Ireland’s best - Alan Simms, Billy Scurry, Johnny Moy and Greg Dowling...
...who not only rocked the party but also gave invaluable advice and support.
Paul ‘Pepzi’ Gillespie fully joined the crew, a brilliant addition.
Followed by The Gweedore, further down the same street which was renowned for its traditional style pubs. Bigger capacity. More possibilities. Momentum was building.
Deep Fried Funk had early support from Dublin born community activist Stephen Gargan and community festival, Gasyard Wall Feile, partnering with them for annual dance music weekender, Deep Fried Féile which provided the blueprint for Celtronic, Deep Fried Funk’s annual festival.
Then for special occasions and guests, the Nerve Centre, bigger space, big sound system, big possibilities. Gareth Stewart was tutored by Tony Talbot on a music production course at the Nerve Centre, who was a massive help in setting up Celtronic, and things took off in a major way. It was time for a week long Celebration of Dance Music Culture.
Andrew Weatherall
In June 1998, Andrew Weatherall was the first international guest at our Deep Fried Funk party at The Gweedore Bar.
Over the following 20+ years, Andrew became the most regular guest at our parties, coming once or twice a year to give masterclasses in the art of DJing.
Some highlights include the Two Lone Swordsmen nights at The Longfield Inn and The Gasyard, the rockabilly sets at Masons where he scared the life out of the techno purists but eventually won them over and had them dancing to music from the 1950’s, A Love From Outer Space at Celtronic and his numerous extended solo sets at venues across the city.
Andrew had a great interest and understanding of the politics and complications of Derry and the north. The morning after his gigs in Derry, he would often be seen scouring the shops of Derry before his taxi came, for multipacks of the Free State variety of Tayto Cheese & Onion and Cadbury’s Golden Crisp. A man after our own hearts.
selected rave tales: deep fried funk + celtronic
There have been many amazing, frenetic, some would say mental, nights at Deep Fried Funk, Celtronic and the other related events. The craic was unreal, but only because it coupled some of the best, soundest dancers around with a soundtrack provided by some of the most inspirational and innovative selectors from across the globe.
There’s barely a pub, venue or space in Derry that hasn’t had a Celtronic or Deep Fried party. Who can forget / remember...
• Far too many crazy parties at The Nerve Centre. Highlights must include Mylo, Erol Alkan, DVS1, Paula Temple, Alloy Mental, Radio Slave, Carl Craig, Billy Nasty, DJ Nobu, DJ Mehdi and Laurent Garnier.
• The Bring yer own parties at The Gasyard with Dixon, Weatherall, Optimo, Ame, Silicone Soul and Jimpster making Free Derry a clubbing hotspot for a while.
• DJ Format and Dave Clarke in The Basement.
• Ralph Lawson’s 2020 Soundsystem, still the best live house music band ever.
• Jon Carter’s last-minute Halloween party upstairs in Badgers.
• Billy Scurry playing Knights of The Jaguar for the first time in The Gweedore.
• St Columbs Hall becoming the People’s Hall again with KiNK, Rodhad, Ame, Horsemeat Disco, DJ Hell and The Blessed Madonna.
• Francesco Tristano playing Strings of Life live at The Gweedore.
• The Guildhall feeling like it finally found it’s real purpose with Henrik Schwarz, Ben UFO , Gerd Janson, Mano Le Tough and The Drifter.
• Radioactive Man and Ulrich Schnauss at The Orchard Gallery.
• Art v Techno madness at the Void and Orchard Gallery with Ewan Pearson and DJ Worthy.
• Sandino’s has had its fair share of legendary parties too with the likes of Tom Middleton and DJ Dexter causing roadblocks outside and dancefloor mayhem inside while the aptly named ‘Fried on Sundays’ parties at Sandinos still being the most craic available for a £1 ever.
• The mystery tours, the excursions to Shine, Letterkenny & Donegal Town parties, Homelands and Creamfields and the trips abroad to Sonar, Exit, The Garden Festival, Fabric and Berghain.
...and the beat goes on
selected rave tales: The Good Friday Night Agreement
One small story helps sum up the madness of the time...
...where different generations, different mindsets, would cross paths.
The Good Friday Agreement was a political deal in the North of Ireland in 1998, designed to end the 30 years of violent conflict.
It was, and remains, a significant event –and the basis for the peace that continues to hold in Ireland almost 30 years later.
A range of prisoners were released as part of this deal.
It could understandably be hard to arrange work.
In Derry, some republicans set up social enterprises, providing doormen for a number of bars and clubs.
Some prisoners would be helped with their reintegration.
They managed the door in a club where Deep Fried Funk had a residency.
selected rave tales: The Good Friday Night Agreement
One Friday night, a freshly released prisoner, began working at a Deep Fried Funk party featuring guest DJ Terry Francis from Fabric - London.
Surely a culture shock. Released after 15 years imprisoned in Long Kesh into a world where techno was now the soundtrack for a new generation, living in relative peace, coming together and busting moves on a Friday night.
The night went well. Very well. Good crowd, atmosphere and tunes.
The crowd wanted a little extra at the end of the night.
They chanted ‘ONE MORE TUNE, ONE MORE TUNE.’
Time passed, then some more.
And then the anger took over...
...he ran upstairs, tried to confront the DJ, and had to be restrained.
NO BASTARDENGLISH IS GONNA KEEP ME FROM MY WIFE AND WAINS!*
Chaos
But a unique situation at a unique time.
The new doorman became more agitated at the work night dragging on. agitation grew to anger.
The funny thing is, the doorman in question went on to be one of the best. Clued in. Sound. A gentleman.
*wains: children
selected rave tales: Laurent Garnier All-Nighter
Starting out, putting on nights, one name would regularly come up as a dream booking. Laurent Garnier...
...massively respected, ultra talented, a proper icon of the scene.
In 2003, after Councillor Tony Hasson helped arrange the licence, he agreed to visit Derry for an all-night event at the Nerve Centre.
Hard to mix when an absolute legend is hanging out, right behind you.
Then he proceeded to blow the place away. Some boy. All night.
How good? Supposed to end at 6am...
One of the best to ever do it, in your home town. Amazing.
During a dinner earlier, he gave a passionate description of what he intended to do during his set, which hinted at the mayhem to come.
100% authentic, generous in many ways. He sat behind the DFF residents for a half hour before his set...
...checking out the vibe, soaking it up. Freaking them out.
...but the door staff let it go on to 7.30am. Some of the same door staff that had clashed with DJs, not long before.
...But were completely sound, they got it. Class.
selected rave tales: Halloween
Starting over 2,000 years ago, Samhain was a time in Ireland when it was believed the veil between the living and the dead became blurred. It was a major basis for the modern Halloween.
Derry has strong ties to the ancient festival...
Masks* have been part of it, used for hundreds of years. The turnip was carved too, before the rise of the pumpkin.
...with the biggest event in Europe...
...parades, costumes, storytelling - a focus on tradition and folklore.
Any excuse for a party. But this was a good one.
and
Deep Fried Funk and Celtronic honoured the ancient Pagan traditions...
...of expression, imagination, celebration, mask wearing (and strange faces)...
...with annual celebrations, some of the wildest nights the city had seen.
Heritage & tradition. Peer pressure...from our ancestors.
*Source: Real masks
turnip from exhibition at the National Museum of Ireland.
Andrew Weatherall
Andrew Weatherall left this earth on 17th February 2020. We won’t get to hear that next set.
Like all great DJs, Andrew Weatherall has left us…wanting more. A true master. A genius. An innovator. A great story teller. A brilliant artist. Effortlessly cool. Great craic. Our favourite DJ. The greatest DJ ever. They say never meet your heroes. We are so glad that we met one of ours.
Donegal Crew
Michelle
Record Shops
The explosion of dance music in Derry was accompanied by a number of record shops popping up around the city where aspiring DJs, looking to emulate their DJ heroes, would try and track down the latest 12” and plan their weekend manoeuvres. Or DJs could also make the trek to Belfast to Dr Roberts, Underground, Snafu, Hairy Bear Records.
The Derry record shops were managed/owned by the resident DJs of the Point Inn.
1992: Perfect Beat Records – owned by Glen Molloy 1993-1998: Homegrown Records – owned by Paul P 1998-2004: Fresh Records – owned by Colin Bass 2005-2007: Fresh Records – owned by Jamie Mahon
Colin Bass was an early supporter of Celtronic, giving the festival a donation of £500, gold dust, with only one request. No credit, no big fuss - just give a young DJ called Darren Allen a slot at the festival. Deal. Darren Allen now runs his own record label, produces music and is one of the most talented DJs to come from this region. £500 well spent. Massive Respect to Colin Bass.
perspectives
looking back
Janet Moran: “Deep Fried Funk and Celtronic have been a big part of my life for the last 25 years. I didn’t read the small print when I was asked to help out at the door at the first Deep Fried Funk party. The role progressed to being the driver, the flyposter, the collector of DJs from airports, the unofficial tour guide and the relationship councillor for the young lovers of Celtronic.
Celtronic feels like a big family that comes together once a year, like a Christmas for people that are into dance music. I always look forward to catching up with people and hearing how everybody is getting on in life and their plans for the future. Through the festival and parties, we have all been lucky to hear so much great music but more importantly, I feel so lucky to have made so many great friends and had so much craic.”
Louise Graham: “Weekly Deep Fried Funk Friday nights in the 90s, were the pinnacle of my week, meeting up with my community, my family of like-minded dancers, there to listen to new music and dance to the beats of cherry-picked DJs and artists supported by the talented DFF crew. A highlight was Chicago House pioneer Marshall Jefferson in the Gweedore, this was electrifying!
This raving community migrated to the Celtronic festival. We have been utterly spoiled with 25 years of unforgettable nights, dancing to the pulsating beats of unrivaled electronic DJs, billed alongside upcoming local talent. Indelible memories created and life-long friendships were forged on these dancefloors. Most memorable highlights were Derrick May, DJ Bone, Carl Craig, Ulrich Schnauss, Mano le Tough, OR:LA, Andrew Weatherall, Francois K, Ryan Vail, Recondite, KiNK, Gerd Janson, Blessed Madonna, Move D, Tom Middleton.”
1997-2025
PROMOTION - The art of flyering and fly-posting.
If you wanted people to attend your events back in the day, there was a lot of legwork, paper and paste. Before social media hit fully and changed promo work, committed individuals would trek around a range of shops and venues leaving printed flyers. They would search for the best wall spots out in public, with maximum visibilty, to put large posters on. There was competition for the best spots. Not everybody could afford fancy newspaper ads. Special Mention to Brian Fisher, who led the way in this field and continues to do so.
Heavy Record Bags and Sore Shoulders - the joys of vinyl only sets. We can’t say that all DJs of a particular vintage may have dodgy shoulders, but there’s a good chance. Before the advent of CDs , USBs and digital, many DJs walked around lop-sided for years, carrying chunky bags of precious vinyl.
Mobile Phones, everywhere.
Although it would be nice to have a few photos of select nights from early raving, the usual jokes about not having any evidence are true. Social media would have a field day if the true impact of the early rave days could be seen in a series of mind and jaw bending photos online. Today, people live their lives more and more online. More reason to get on a dance floor and put the phone away for maximum enjoyment and freedom.
epilogue
Nearly 30 years of Deep Fried Funk and 25 years of Celtronic, a great run.
A long time. Lots of change. We’ve gone from this... ...to this.
We used ‘Good Times’ as our tagline for Celtronic 2005. It was a pure message, inspired by one of the most perfect dance tunes of all time.
We heard that tune live in 2013, at a Chic gig organised by Celtronic. Full circle, and the rest.
The dance music scene has suffered in recent years, alongside the overall music scene.
Different times, different habits and then some years of social shutdown, all factors.
But you have to step back and appreciate the positive changes too.
Resources and support we could have only dreamed of, when we started out.
As for all the past days and nights of music?
Nearly 30 years of memories, rocking with some of the best people on the planet.
Nostalgia can get a bad rap. Overly Romanticised memories. Selective love letters to a scene, to music, to friends, family, to your youth.
OR:LA, a Derry DJ, musician and promoter, one of the best - on the Radio One Essential Mix...
...to get on that was holy grail of the past. Unbelievable. Well deserved.
Celtronic Studios. State of the art recording studio, with a focus on electronic music and collaborative/ cross community work. Plus guidance from skilled mentors.
More access to the means to make and distribute music, and try to promote yourself, albeit in a crowded online space.
There has been amazing emerging talent too, with a range of DJs, musicians, artists coming from Derry, Donegal and the region.
But this is a love letter, an honest appreciation of good times.
The peace has held. Ravers can now grow up without experiencing Bomb Scares, Bullets and British Soldiers on the streets. Progress.
While there’s no doubt that Celtronic could continue and thrive for many years, the 25th anniversary milestone feels like the perfect time to bring this chapter to a close. What comes next? Who Knows?
THANKS
To our fellow ravers and anyone who has ever lost themselves on a dancefloor, big or small.
To Janet, Claire, Paulette and all the amazing partners who have danced, supported and made it all possible.
To our parents and Ciaran, Charles and Tony for their invaluable advice and unwavering support over the years.
To all the DJs, musicians, crew, sound and lighting engineers, bar staff and security who made the party happen.
Gareth Stewart:
We were just a few boys from Shantallow and Galliagh who fell in love with the rave. All we wanted to do, when we started to throw parties, was to hear the music that we loved out loud. We’re just so glad that there were other like minded heads out there who were into the same thing and came on this crazy journey with us. It has been a dream for us to have been able to welcome so many of our musical heroes to play in Derry and know that when they return home, they’ll tell their friends, that Derry, this place we call home, really is the best place on earth.
David Campbell:
Big thanks to all my family and friends. To Mark Duddy, Davey Karran and Alan Healy for nudging me in the right direction for DJing, and John Chrysafidis and Gabriel Campbell for showing me how to mix. To Mark Jennings for all the DJ sets together. Big Thanks + Respect to Timmy Stewart, Billy Scurry, Chris Duckenfield and Laurent Garnier for showing the way. And to Orbital, for making me (nearly) cry every time I hear ‘Halcyon’, and think of dancing with my brother Pete.
DEDICATIONS
For my sister + partner in crime on many an adventure, Julieann. xxx For Stephen Gargan, loved, remembered and missed every day.
GARETH STEWART
DAVID CAMPBELL thanks to all the photographers, for their work that helped inspire this book.
We are the music makers, And we are the dreamers of dreams