A few from a fresh roll of film to end the year. A perfect balance of where life is at, heartwarming moments with my family and late night activities with my ‘club’ family. Overall 2025 has been a good one. Love to everyone around me - I couldn’t do it without you ♥️✨
What a morning, another year, another marathon on the Suffolk coast. Love to Bargie for sitting at the back and clocking off the miles with me, big up Francis for getting on that podium. Beautiful stuff ✨
I don’t know much much louder we need to yell it but First Light has created something extremely important in Lowestoft.
A free festival without enormous corporate sponsorship, that invests in local traders, local bar, a celebration of the local arts and music scene + a few very carefully curated headliners from further afield. The camping isn’t over priced, you can bring your own booze and food. You can swim in the sea and dance with the sand between your toes.
What more could you want? Yesterday in particular was a much needed exhale for me during a time when I’m busier than ever. And it was still work!
16 year old Levi getting the train to Lowestoft college and then playing truant whilst smoking on the beach to kill time could never have imagined I’d be a part of this.
So a huge thanks to Genevieve, Jo, Wayne, Lizzie and the rest of the FL crew!
📸 @sophiecmuscat (the good ones)
When the opportunity presented itself to curate a show in the cathedral I knew there was only one person we wanted to headline, a tastemaker who has long been at the forefront of the UK sound. It was the perfect platform to bring a generational voice to Norwich’s most iconic stage, an education sermon explaining the roots of the culture that is ‘dance music’.
It runs deep, Norfolk and East Anglia have deep roots in the scene but the words ‘dance music’ & ‘nightclub’ have always been a bit of a dirty work here. However nights like last night show how important it is to give opportunities and build a scene in our fine city. If it wasn’t for Caister Soul Weekender, we would have people like Gilles Peterson. So I’m thankful to NNF for working with us in letting Midnight Request Line and Circles be played in our most sacred setting.
It was a beautiful moment hearing the extended applause for our very own Tadi the Great and hearing GP talk about him, one of Norwich’s brightest and kindest stars.
Love to Ben for working on this with me, Flack for the poster and the whole NNF crew for making it come to life. And most of all thank you to everyone who purchased a ticket and supported - you’re the reason we can do these things and take risks.
This one’s going to take a while to get over ♥️
Most of the photos by the lovely @sophiecmuscat
I recently took some time to chat with Jim Ottewill about the part I have played within the ‘multilevel playground’ that is Gonzo’s and the local nightlife scene as a whole.
It was interesting to revisit my own personal history to the point of which we opened the club. Dropping out of school with no real GCSE’s, early influences, the value of a store like Dogfish and highlighting some great other venues that we have in the city and how exciting it all feels at the moment.
Love to Jim for taking the time and effort. Jim’s an incredible writer and it feels a privilege to have spoken with him, especially when some of his previous work was with people I hugely admire like Charlie Dark, Mr Scruff, Bill Brewster and the amazing architects Unknown Works.
Give it a read when you get a sec. Link in bio.
📸 @amyllovett
It’s felt like a long winter, there’s been lots of grieving, tears, laughter and an overwhelming amount of love.
The one constant is the sun rise and the sunset. It always stops me in my tracks, whether I’m running in the mornings or cycling home at the end of the day. I love those Norfolk skies.
🌅🌇
Norwich, we won!
What an amazing achievement for all of the small clubs and independent venues out there. This tiny cap venue in Norwich, has been voted Best Venue over some hugely influential players in the game like - WHP, Drumsheds, Amnesia & Fabric.
The fact is was a public vote, means so much to us. The people have spoken and we love each and every one of you for it.
It’s a moment to celebrate, a grassroots venue with limited resources, a very small hard working team, in the middle of nowhere has managed to come out on top.
To anyone thinking of putting on their first show, opening a DIY venue, investing in a Soundsystem - do it! If we managed to win Radio 1 Dance awards Best Venue (UK & Europe), you can too! Reach out if you ever want to chat.
My nan sadly passed away a few weeks ago, this one is for you nan ♥️
Love you Norwich
