Underage
From the perspective of a London boy or girl under 18, clubbing seems to be changing. Maybe the sort of leisure activities demanded by young people is different these days; maybe it’s the power of a generation hooked up to their parents’ broadband to network and find information. At any rate, hoping not to be asked for ID doesn’t have to be what going out in London’s about.
On the one hand, there’s what you might call the ‘better-than-a-school-disco’ scene. Rhythm, for example, is a night for ages 13 to 17 that takes place at proper venues like Jacks in London Bridge. Started by a youth worker, the music is the same stuff played in mainstream clubs for adults: a mix-up of Pop, R&B, Hip-Hop and commercial dance music. One of the biggest players in the market is the Capital VIP brand: the parties – in principle open to all but marketed only at public schools – are extravagant affairs at clubs like Ministry of Sound with chart acts such as James Blunt on the bill.
While a lot of kids no doubt think this is a pretty great way to spend a Friday night, some young teenagers have more specialised tastes. And of course not all live venues refuse entry to under-18s, so it’s not a new thing that they can sometimes indulge them by going to see their favourite bands. ‘Grindie’ band Hadouken! – whose music is a mix of Grime and Indie, obviously – headlined recently at the Astoria. Anyone passing might have thought – from the lines of neon leggings and vintage trainers – that the night-time population of Shoreditch had gone west en mass, but someone in their twenties would have looked completely out of place. Camden Barfly and the Islington Academy are also good bets for all-ages shows.
One of the most interesting developments of the past couple of years, though, is that elements of underground scenes have started to cater exclusively for under-18s – no adults admitted. A night called Way Out West – associated with young bands like Cajun Dance Party – started in Brentford in 2005, and was followed in 2006 by Underage, which began in the Coronet Theatre in Elephant and Castle. Underage has attracted some attention in the media, probably in part because the brains behind it are that of a 14-year-old schoolboy, Sam Killcoyne. A full-on music nerd, he has DJs playing alternative music from ‘60s garage rock to present-day New Rave and puts on bands like the Horrors, Trash Fashion and XX Teens. It’s incredibly popular, with queues forming before doors open, and by all accounts a much more enthusiastic crowd than at the average ‘normal’ night. Of course there’s no alcohol for sale, but most of the kids are adamant they don’t mind: they’re purely there for the music.
Last summer, Underage even organised a one-day festival for 14-18-year-olds in Victoria Park. It was a huge success, and there’s a repeat planned for next year. The night has also gone on tour, although sadly the home leg at ULU was cancelled due to problems with the venue. Anyway, along with other nights, like Subverse at Camden’s Electric Ballroom, Underage could be turning the under-18s’ traditional envy of adulthood on its head – maybe soon those of us who are older will start to wish we could be part of their scene.
