Audio’s changed a lot over the summer… the club often used the be half full, or half empty, it depends on how you see it. But with this fullness/emptiness it carried a reputation that what may be seen may not be to everyone’s taste. It stuck to its own ethics and continued booking varied interesting artists. Times became tough, reputation and abiding to music policy becomes secondary when approached from a management point of view. You can ride the wave, continue to please the deteriorating crowd, or change. And change is what they did.
You can’t blame them. From a management point of view the changes have been a full success. The dance floor is now full and cash is being spunked every weekend. But on a weekend is Audio still the place to hear the best house/techno around? Sadly I don’t think so. The change was a direct shift of market audience. The club needs to bring in people, the best way to do this is by offering no door charge. What comes with free entry is students. I’m not gonna go on a big student hating rampage, but it leaves the venue at risk of becoming a student club. It should be remembered that much of Brighton has in fact graduated and doesn’t go out just because one of their mates from sociology sells beans for cheap.
This isn’t aimed at the nights or DJs who currently keep audio going. They are all good people and contribute greatly to Brighton’s music scene. It’s just the lineup is stagnant and non diversifying. Audio continues to poor out quality live music, and has been a venue that’s kicked started the careers of many an artist. I just don’t feel the pull of the music anymore.
The spot by the left speaker which I once loved so much has been empty for a while now. It’s a shame as I love Audio, and would still says it’s the place to be in Brighton. But it’s become clear that I’m not as drawn there since the recent changes.
Audio still is the home to many great nights like Supercharged and Hospitality (if you like your DnB), but the Summer of Love took a big change in direction. It hurt for me… I miss the dance floor, I miss the speakers and I miss seeing cutting edge DJs’ actually enjoying themselves. What a great little venue.
on Oct 21st, 2008 at 3:30 pm
This article isn’t meant as a poke at any nights or people involved with Audio. It is more of a reflection of how the venue changed and how it hit some punters. We can blame the credit crunch…
on Oct 29th, 2008 at 3:02 am
They need to book different DJs for Saturdays! Fuckin David Parr and Caged Babt over and over again zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz
on Oct 30th, 2008 at 5:19 am
Is it my imagination, or is the girl in the picture having a cheeky sniff on a hooter shooter?
Love the redesign chaps, looks good.
on Oct 30th, 2008 at 2:00 pm
Marek, I heard that cheap beans would entice you to any night club, even tru.
on Oct 30th, 2008 at 2:09 pm
Joe mate, Is it true you moved to Manchester because of the raving gay scene and easily accessible meth?
on Oct 29th, 2009 at 11:27 am
Completely agree!! We used to go every Saturday and loved loved loved it…then we stopped going less and less, til eventually I think we only went to SOL once or twice over the whole summer. :( I’ve been a little lost since.
We went a couple of weekends ago with CagedBaby, and he played a blinder of a set, dancing by the left speaker it ALMOST felt like Audio was back.