One Foot In The Rave: Chinwag with Dave Beer

Back To Basics was founded in Leeds in November 1991 by Ali Cooke and Church’s co-owner and protagonist, Dave Beer. After Ali’s unfortunate passing during the early years of the club, Dave has continued their efforts in making Basics one of the beacons in underground music, in both the UK and the world over.

Over the years, the club has been instrumental in helping launch the careers of some of dance music’s fondest artists – including Daft Punk, Groove Armada and Basement Jaxx – as well as giving a platform to new talent and their ever-expanding roster of residents. This lengthy list includes Ralph Lawson, James Holroyd, Denney, Laura Jones, Frenchy, James Barnsley, Burnski, Tristan Da Cunha and of course, Dave himself. Amongst these names are artists who also hold residencies at other key international parties, including Circo Loco, Bugged Out and Paradise, with attention caught from these institutions coming from their dignified positions at Back To Basics.

Since Back To Basics’ inaugural days, the party has held residencies at the majority of Leeds’ best nightclubs and in many cases has been responsible for their success. This includes its first home at The Music Factory, as well as at The Pleasure Rooms, Rehab and Stinky’s Peephouse, which have since closed. There are also a number of venues that are still going strong today after Basics departed, including Mint Club, The Warehouse and most recently, their home as of two years, Wire.

Back To Basics celebrated its 25th anniversary in 2016, with the Silver Jubilee Tour and of course, the move to the club’s new home, Church. The event will be the flagship night at Church from here on out.

Basics has always strived at being “two steps further than any other f*cker”, with everyone from Jamie Jones to Carl Cox having played since that first party in 1991. 25 years later, Basics is still at the forefront of cutting edge music and, at Church, will be taking things further…