Page 6 - We Rave You Magazine | August 2022

EDITORIAL > A HISTORY OF PRINTWORKS, ONE OF LONDON’S MOST ICONIC VENUES

“Broadwick Live transformed an unused space into a vibrant hub
of music culture and a safe space for people to freely express

themselves”

Of course, this industrial space in Canada Water was not until that April, esteemed imprints such as Junction 2, The
always the booming epicentre of electronic events that Hydra, Klockworks and more hosted their own nights with
we have come to know it for. Only opening in 2017, by many acts the likes of Adam Beyer, Hot Since 82, Nina Kraviz, Alan
standards it still is a relatively new venue compared to its Fitzpatrick and many more spinning the decks. As Printworks
competitors, it has an interesting and unique backstory typically has two event seasons out of the year (spring/
encapsulated within its walls. Before it was turned into the summer and autumn/winter), their winter season kicked off
party central we know it to be today, it was used as a huge in September, running until December. With their reputation
printing factory - the largest in Western Europe - up until growing, this means that they roped in even bigger names
2012, which produced leading newspapers such as the to the roster, with the likes of deadmau5, Tale Of Us with an
Evening Standard, Metro and The Telegraph to name a few, Afterlife showcase, Peggy Gou, The Chemical Brothers and
hence the name Printworks being a nod to its rich history. more spearheading their own shows.

From 2012 up until Printworks opened in 2017, the space By 2018, everyone knew what Printworks was. Forging a
pretty much sat unused. Seeing an opportunity to bring a stellar reputation for itself, it was rivalling the biggest clubs
unique venue to the UK’s capital in a space that was like in the the world at this point, also smashing straight into
nothing that had ever come before it, event management the top 20 at No.14 on DJ Mag’s Top 100 Clubs list that year,
company Broadwick Live transformed an unused space into later moving on to climb up to No.5 in 2020. More and more
a vibrant hub of music culture and a safe space for people big names were being put onto lineups, and by now it
to freely express themselves. Keeping the industrial charm was a privilege and huge achievement for artists to gain
of the space was important, and so the original aesthetics a headlining show at Printworks. The only way was up for
(exposed beams, brick walls, giant machines and printing them, as they continued a stream of successful seasons
presses) were left alone, instead having stages, bars and year after year, before pausing due to the disruption that
everything in between built around all of these things the Covid-19 pandemic caused. Although partygoers
instead of tearing them down. The 16-acre building was couldn’t enter the venue as the world stood still, this didn’t
described ahead of its opening as being an “experimental, mean that the walls of the venue didn’t see any action. Due
multi-purpose cultural destination” and much hype was to its notoriety and unique architecture, it caught the eye
drummed up in the weeks leading to its official 10-week of many different industries, namely the film & television
opening in February of 2017. Almost 10 years in the making of industry. In 2020-2021, Printworks was one of the core loca-
looking for spaces to build a venue, none quite grabbed the tions for hollywood blockbuster film The Batman, fronted by
attention like this space. Robert Pattinson and Zoe Kravitz, also starring Paul Dano,
Colin Farrell & Jeffrey Wright amongst other big names.
Fast forward to February 4, and Printworks was open for Renamed the Iceberg Lounge, it served as the perfect dark
business. For the first ever headlining set in the venue, and moody venue to match the overall tone of the film, and
it was christened by a special three-way B2B from Seth in turn gained even more popularity for the venue. Other
Troxler, Loco Dice and The Martinez Brothers, running at a notable uses include for UK comedy show Taskmaster, also
limited 2,500 person capacity for the time being. As the first filmed during the pandemic. Their recent SS22 season was
season got underway and people were coming to terms their most successful to date, with over 25 shows being sold
with what Printworks as a venue had to offer, tickets flew off out bringing in names such as Charlotte de Witte, Solomun,
the shelves. Going deeper into the season that would last Netsky, The Martinez Brothers and many more.

6 we rave you.com PC: LUKE DYSON aug 2022 7