It’s saddening that on this dreary and overcast Wednesday morning, I once again find myself mourning the loss of yet another of London’s musical institutions. Fabric became as much a part of the capital’s musical furniture as legendary venues like the Astoria, The Cross, Madame JoJos, Marquee Club, Mean Fiddler and The Fridge – all of which, you might have noticed, now cease to exist.
Deliberations by Islington council continued well into the night following an appeal, after the venue’s licence was revoked as a result of the drug-related deaths of two people. Loss of life is something that should never be taken lightly, let me just state that for the record, however, the council’s actions as a result of these deaths have been utterly ludicrous – or profitable depending on your viewpoint.
“If the premises is permitted to remain open and operating in its current form, then there is a strong possibility that further drug-related deaths will occur,” stated superintendent Stuart Ryan in documents submitted to the council. Yes, Mr Ryan, that of course is a “strong possibility”. However, upon undercover officers visiting the venue following the death in June 2016, no hard evidence of drug taking on the premises was found. It seems that there’s a “strong possibility” Fabric has simply fallen victim to London’s soaring land prices and those who are wishing to make a quick penny. Could this simply be a case of the council preying on the vulnerable, knowing the club’s precarious position and utilising drug legislation?
Now, Mr Ryan, allow me to point you in the direction of another British institution known as the “Music Festival”. Spend all of 30 seconds searching the internet and you’ll discover the suspected drug-related death of a young boy at Leeds Festival only a number of weeks ago – has a review of the festival’s license been undertaken by the council? Not that I’m aware of. Or what about the death of a 26-year-old man at Creamfields Festival? Oh, and let’s not forget the two deaths at T in the Park that are reportedly drug-related? Why should these legendary musical venues – an already dying breed – be subject to a different set of rules? It’s an illustration of double standards at their dirtiest. Considering the only marked difference between the two involves the ownership of prime real estate, fingers seem to point to an ulterior motive.
If drug taking is truly the only reason behind this latest closure, isn’t it about time someone stood up and took responsibility for tackling the root cause of the issue? The council are pinning the blame on independent institutions embroiled in a constant battle to stay open, thus putting yet another nail in the coffin of live music venues across London. Drug taking and music have gone hand in hand since the “free love” movement of the 60s; why should venues take the blame for the lack of judgement illustrated by those who frequent them? Naturally, preventative measures can and should be put in place by the establishments and festival organisers, but at the end of the day, it’s our responsibility as free-thinking human beings to exercise common sense when it comes to these matters.
Authorities are using Fabric nightclub as the scapegoat for a wider problem, and thinking that the closure of a single music venue will curb the capital’s drug consumption is undeniably naïve. The question is: if this is the new hard line London councils are taking, where will it stop? Today it’s reported a “wealthy Arab” was found dead at London’s Dorchester Hotel after a cocaine binge – why don’t we go and revoke their license while we’re at it? Or what about extending the rule to cover all music festivals? That’s right, let’s just shut down all of the 500+ festivals that currently reside in the UK, you know, just IN CASE someone should overdose on illegal substance.
Yes, that last one is a bit of an over exaggeration, but when it comes to this city’s music venues, we should be supporting independent ventures, not attempting to quell their numbers. London has seen over 50 independent institutions close their doors over the past 8 years, and there seems no sign of it stopping. If extortionate rent, the threat of redevelopment and putrid price hikes across the capital weren’t enough to scare prospective venue investors into hiding, then apparently drug use will. RIP Fabric.
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