THE STORY SO FAR…

In October 1988 Labrynth began a series of warehouse parties that may never ever be matched. From the first night at Vale Rd, Manor House London N4 things would never be the same. From the opening night things did not improve and there followed three months of toil & struggle – Kingsland Rd, Essex Rd, Selby St, Poplar Civic & Refuse, Trundleys Rd, Caledonian Rd. Although we gave it our best shot, coming second was becoming a habit. But then came Dace Rd, Bow, The Unicorn Studio, over a thousand people arrived on the opening night, and Labrynth now became a Friday giant as opposed to a Saturday minnow. For 6 weeks the Q began at 9.30, doors opened at 11. Confidence grew and with regular Saturday nights now being a possibility, both nights were being used by Labrynth. Bow Flyover, East India Dock Road, Cambridge Heath Road, Clifton Rise, New Cross, New North Rd, Burmondsey St were all regular rave venues used by Labryrth.

Then in July ’89 following the success of Rona Rooms Labrynth took on it’s biggest challenge to date. With a warehouse opposite Kings X station in a road called York Way (ring a bell?) By 4pm on Saturday 1st July we had completely rigged up the venue everything -lights, drinks, sound system. By 4.05 the building had been sussed, a neighbour had seen us and the owner arrived, you can guess the rest. Our meeting point had been Kings X, but now we had to find a new venue. At the eleventh hour we approached “Ferry Lane”. With time running out we took a chance. The people at Kings X were redirected and hundreds had now become thousands and we were on a roll. Ferry Lane held thousands and as many that got in were turned away. If you were one of the lucky ones who got in then you will know how special it was. A sea of smiling happy, rockin bodies – Premier Labrynth. There followed a summer of cat & mouse. The authorities had noticed us. There were brilliant nights to follow at Lambeth Nth, Homerton High St, Shacklewell Lane, Middle Row, Knights Hill, Norwood. But a price had to be paid. Lea Valley Trading Est – RAIDED, Highbury Grove – RAIDED, Hercules Rd – RAIDED, Metro Wharf (our HQ) – INJUNCTIONED. It seemed like the end, the crowds had dwindled, the finances zero.

But once again we found a life line “Silver City” Wood Green. For over 40 weeks Labrynth opened every Friday & Saturday night sometimes continuing until late Sunday night and although not a large venue compared to our past it allowed us once again lick our wounds and begin again. A good tlong time had passed and Wood Green alas closed due to a purge on unlicenced venues. Crowland Rd, Godstone Hill and the legendary Clink St, were also venues that had now become Labrynth history. On return to Shacklewell Lane, Dalston we embarked on a Friday & Saturday event during which both nights were stopped at around 4am. The events of Friday had spread around the rave grapevine. Just over a hundred turned up on the Saturday night and Labrynth’s future was certainly in question.

It was decided that a club of some type would be needed and as you all know Club Labrynth 12 Dalston Lane had begun. Although the 4am licence had to be stuck to, stick by it we did, and we were rewarded with a 6am licence. With the success of the club came another chapter of warehouse events. Tottenham Sports & Leisure being the first, followed by huge success at the Wonderland Arena and then on to Plumstead, Nathan Way which brings you all pretty much up to date. I hope that you were at our last 2 events at Bagleys and we hope that you have at least one happy memory of a Labrynth Party because that makes the last five years all the more worthwhile.

And as for the countless numbers of people who have made Labrynth what it was today – Bless You Sue & Joe