The 10,000-capacity Drumsheds is due one final show on the 29th before it closes its doors for good. Having only been open for barely even three years, the Edmonton, London venue enjoyed less than a year of life before Covid, which effectively ended nightlife for 18 months. There was hope that Drumsheds would bounce back, but for a venue of its size, upkeeping a venue that is barely earning is an insurmountable task for even the most savvy of businessfolk.
Opening for Field Day 2019, a timeless rendition of the event featuring Skepta, Earl Sweatshirt, Death Grips, and HOMESHAKE, it has since operated as a solo venue, albeit for a shorter amount of time that anyone would have hoped for. The decline of London’s venues is a well-documented and saddening phenonemon, a cultural trend that the Drumsheds had hoped to counter. A new, large venue in a city where these sorts of venues were only decreasing in number was supposed to be a minor source for hope, but with COVID piling on there seemed to be no other alternative.
The ambitious venue combines 10 acres of outdoor space with four interlinked warehouses, all featuring separate acts when operating at its full potential. As it is an appropriate distance from residential properties – situated on the old industrial area of the Tottenham marshes – music can play on until much later than residential venues. The venue was part of the Meridian Water project in Enfield, a £6 billion fund to regenerate the formerly-industrial marshlands into a cultural and creative hub.
Promoters The Hydra were supposed to host their Not To Be event on the 18th of December, yet this was postponed until the 29th of January. The event, featuring Four Tet, Floating Points, Jon Hopkins, and Joy Orbison, will be the Drumsheds last. This sad announcement was made on The Hydra’s Instagram, which you can view below:
“Thank you for your patience while we’ve been working to reschedule our NOT TO BE show, which was unfortunately postponed in December,” the statement from The Hydra reads. “As many of you recognised, postponing the show wasn’t a decision taken lightly – but it was the right call and we appreciate the ongoing support.”
“After a great deal of negotiation, we’re pleased to finally inform you that the show will now be going ahead on Saturday, 29 January 2022 at The Drumsheds.”
Tickets for Not To Be can be bought here.
