Ritzy Ravers Threaten London’s Underground Club Scene
Mixmag- crisis in London? click for more
Mixmag asked ‘is there a crisis in London clubbing’ this week in a feature noting problems including rip-off venue owners, unsympathetic local authorities, broke clubbers and increasingly violent thugs taking over the city’s ‘underground house’ scene.
“Constant complaints on forums about ‘badman attitude’, reports of persistent fights at well-known house clubs, endemic phone theft and even sets being brought to an abrupt end due to fighting between gangs can’t be ignored,” said Mixmag’s Marcus Barnes.
“Going out raving all night to underground music is not a niche activity any more,” he continued, “The big chain ‘Ritzy’ venues, with their cheesy music, air of violence and ‘no trainers’ door policy, are a thing of the past, and the crowds that once filled them have discovered Ibiza, house and techno and the underground.” (http://bit.ly/155S5ki )
The issue was tragically highlighted in April 2012 when Philipp Sheriff, 37, was murdered at a VIP promo party for Jessie J at Pulse nightclub in London, by fellow reveller Ashley Charles, 26.
Charles cut his victim’s throat with a bottle ‘in a moment of madness’ after the two clashed at the club’s bar.
“Is he OK? I wish I had not done that. It was a stupid mistake.” Charles told security staff after Mr Sheriff bled to death in front of him on the packed dance floor.
“Yeah, I know I bottled him. He kept pushing past me through the bar area,” he later told police. (BBC: http://bbc.in/RJaKj1 )
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