SHOOM

SHOOM NIGHTCLUB AND THE BIRTH OF THE ACID HOUSE MOVEMENT IN THE UK

The 1980s were a transformative time for British music. While the punk and new wave scenes had established a foothold in the late 70s, a new sound was on the rise - acid house. Characterized by its heavy use of the Roland TB-303 synthesizer and 808 drum machine, acid house emerged from Chicago's underground clubs and quickly gained a following in the UK.

One of the most influential clubs to bring acid house to the UK was Shoom. Founded by Danny Rampling and partners, the club opened its doors in December 1987 in a fitness center basement in Southwark, South London. Shoom quickly became the epicenter of the acid house movement in the UK, drawing in crowds of young people hungry for a new sound and a new way of partying.


What made Shoom unique was its emphasis on the music, rather than the club's physical atmosphere. The club's walls were painted black, and the only lighting came from strobes and a single spotlight on the dance floor. But the real magic was in the music, which was played on a state-of-the-art sound system by resident DJs like Rampling, Paul Oakenfold, and Johnny Walker.


Shoom's popularity exploded in the late 80s and early 90s, as it became synonymous with the acid house genre. The club's legacy extended beyond its resident DJs, as special events like the "Shoom 30" anniversary party in 2017 featured cutting-edge technology like VR artwork and installations.


Looking back on Shoom's legacy, it's clear that the club played a crucial role in bringing acid house and rave culture to the UK. It helped create a new kind of clubbing experience that focused on music and community, rather than flashy visuals or VIP culture. Shoom paved the way for other influential clubs like The Haçienda and Fabric, and inspired a new generation of DJs and musicians to experiment with electronic sounds.


Today, acid house remains an enduring influence on music, fashion, and popular culture. Shoom may be gone, but its impact lives on, as new generations continue to discover the magic of acid house and the spirit of the club that started it all.