Blissy E takes a deep-dive into the beating heart of London’s nightlife - Plastic People, a 200 capacity nightclub based on Curtain Road, Shoreditch, founded by DJ Ade Fakile. It provided a safe, intimate and inclusive space for music lovers to celebrate London’s culturally rich underground music scene. No frills, just a dark basement, a great sound system, brilliant music from all corners of the globe and the passion of its owners fuelling a deeply intimate musical experience.
Through both spoken context and music, she explores the sonic identity of the space, considering the many communities and artists who passed through. From FWD championing UK bass, dubstep and grime to Floating Points’ residency “You Are A Melody” to the early 00’s broken beat group Coop Presents flooding its Function-Ones, it highlights the importance of this space for these burgeoning movements. By speaking to key faces in the clubs history such as founder Ade Fakile, Manager Charlotte Kepel, the various collectives involved, and most importantly those on the dance floor, Blissy paints a picture of the feeling, the meaning and the impact of one of London’s greatest musical institutions.
Live from WOH Radio Stage, this show delves into how an unassuming venue in the UK's capital had such a lasting impact not just on music but on the individual. It will shine a light on existing grass roots venues around the country with the same potential, and highlight the importance of their survival. It took a village to build a venue like this, and it’ll take a village to keep them alive.
