I’m not being funny but… we can’t start this week without a tribute to Stephen Linard, truly one of London’s greatest players in fashion. Stephen was one of the original Blitz Kids and influenced everyone from U2 and Pet Shop Boys to David Bowie. In 1983, the American press dubbed him one of the eight most influential London designers. I started Total Fashion Victim with him in the late Eighties on Tuesday nights at the Wag Club in Soho. It was the second place I ever DJed and my first residency, and I’m glad I had that journey with him. It really cemented my DJing career, all while doing it with a friend. So here’s to you Stephen. Taken all too soon.
Today I want to talk about London’s nightlife. I know I’ve touched on this before but I can’t stress how important it is to what makes London the city we all know and love. Since Covid, more than 1,000 bars and clubs have shut down for one reason or another. Insane rent hikes have made it tough for businesses to survive and a drop in disposable income due to the cost-of-living crisis are two of the biggest factors.
