By 2013, the career of British producer Floating Points was reaching new heights: he was regularly DJing at huge nightlife institutions such as Warehouse Project and Fabric and was travelling overseas. But when he was invited to play at Cosmic Slop, a 200-capacity party tucked away in a former brass and iron works in Leeds, he knew he had to go. “Word was circulating: ‘you’ve gotta go and check out the system’,” he recalls, referencing the now-legendary hand-built speaker rig, revered by underground heroes such as Theo Parrish and Bradley Zero. Eventually, he made the trip and pledged to return before his set had even finished. He’s now played an estimated 30 times: “After all the years of DJing, it’s one of the places I long to go back to.”
This tiny northern club night has made a strong impression on many since it started in 2009, and not just for its sound system. What was supposed to be a one-off fundraiser quickly caught on and became beloved for its pairing of great music with community action. Each party is run in support of the resident charity at Cosmic Slop’s venue: Hope House – MAP provides alternative education for West Yorkshire kids at risk of exclusion from the mainstream school system. During the week, the venue runs workshops and classes in the adjacent rooms. “That’s the strange thing about Slop, it’s one of the best clubs in the world but it’s actually just a party to support a charity that’s doing really important work,” says Floating Points, real name Sam Shepherd. “It’s a win-win for everyone.”
