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In 2013, the career of Floating Points, a British producer, was rapidly growing. He was frequently performing as a DJ at popular nightlife spots like Warehouse Project and Fabric, as well as traveling abroad. However, when he received an invitation to play at Cosmic Slop, a small 200-person party located in an old brass and iron factory in Leeds, he knew he had to accept. “I heard people talking about it, saying ‘you have to go check out the system’,” he remembers, referring to the renowned hand-built speaker setup that is highly praised by underground icons like Theo Parrish and Bradley Zero. He immediately made plans to return before even finishing his set. He has since played there an estimated 30 times, stating, “After years of DJing, it’s one of the places I always look forward to going back to.”
This popular small club event in the north has had a significant impact since its establishment in 2009, not just because of its impressive sound system. What was originally planned as a one-time fundraiser quickly grew in popularity and became known for its combination of great music and community involvement. Each party raises funds for the resident charity at Cosmic Slop’s venue, Hope House – MAP, which offers alternative education to at-risk children in West Yorkshire who may be excluded from traditional schools. Throughout the week, the venue hosts workshops and classes in the adjacent rooms. “The interesting thing about Slop is that it’s one of the top clubs in the world, but it’s ultimately a party that supports a charity doing important work,” says Floating Points, also known as Sam Shepherd. “It’s a win-win situation for everyone.”
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In 2017, the future of Cosmic Slop was in jeopardy when the historic Grade II-listed building was put on the market to be converted into apartments. Co-founder Tom Smith recalls, “We were at risk of losing everything. It’s becoming increasingly difficult for spaces like ours to survive, and the support we offer for youth has become more challenging to maintain.”
Both sides of the booth are committed to this event: renowned DJs such as Four Tet, Mr Scruff, and Caribou volunteer their talents in order to raise maximum funds. The lines outside the otherwise unremarkable street begin even before the guest is announced. By 11:30pm, the door personnel must enforce a one-in one-out policy. However, despite the exclusivity and top-quality sound system, the atmosphere is far from serious or pretentious. The room is framed with curtains and lampshades, and guests can enjoy fresh fruit at the DIY bar. The staff are also infectiously friendly, creating a cozy living room vibe.
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Gilles Peterson, who first performed at Cosmic Slop in 2017, describes it as the complete opposite of commercialism in the club scene. He explains that when he walks into the venue, he can feel the genuine passion and effort put in by the promoters and organizers. This positive atmosphere also influences his DJing, making it the ideal environment for him.
The music policy allows for a diverse range of music to be played, including rare jazz, disco, and modern trap. This is not limited by genre or beats per minute, but rather by the overall mood. According to Shepherd, playing on a large sound system for an open-minded audience allows him to play the music he truly enjoys. This includes both dancefloor-oriented music and unconventional choices such as folk, percussion, Brazilian soap opera theme songs, and even a recording of rhythmic frogs that has a techno-like sound.
Inspired by iconic Detroit group 3 Chairs and legendary parties like The Loft, it is not uncommon to listen to a song from beginning to end, complete with vinyl crackles, before transitioning to the next track. This traditional approach is becoming less common in modern clubbing, where there is a preference for dramatic drops and rapid mixing. DJ Smith explains, “What if the song has a stunning intro? You could jump straight to the beat and mix from there, but you might miss out on the best part. It’s a different way of experiencing the music.”
Smith is feeling positive after overcoming the threat of redevelopment. In 2019, MAP purchased Hope House, securing a future for both the classrooms and the club after a two-year fundraising effort. The team is now introducing a new label extension, which will handle all aspects of production, from recording to dubplate cutting and sleeve printing. The first releases will be from long-time supporter Four Tet, including a cassette version of his digital-only album 871 and a limited edition of his new album later this year, featuring artwork created by MAP students. Smith expresses excitement about the opportunity to share their work with a wider audience.
This serves as a reminder of the potential of grassroots clubbing with proper resources. According to Peterson, it can be challenging to sustain these events due to their reliance on energy, which becomes difficult to maintain without significant income over time. Thus, it is crucial for these places to continue receiving new energy in order to keep the atmosphere vibrant and lively.
Source: theguardian.com
