Volks Brighton: Of the People – 30 years of Volks
“Wanna go Volks?” is a phrase born of Brighton nights out. A rallying cry when the evening slips into the early hours of the morning with no signs of slowing down; a call to the committed, to those yearning for harder beats.
It’s a homegrown mainstay with an enduring legacy. A netherworld to lose yourself in before emerging again, wincing at sunlight sliding across the pebbles, legs worn out from dancing. Bold. Beloved. Deeply Brightonian. And, now, there’s even more reason to go big or go home: three whole decades’ worth.
Some might never guess that the legendary seaside venue actually began life as a late-night salsa club. It was a sound system that changed everything. A pioneering event called ‘Lunarcy’ – a relic of old-school jungle nights – transformed the salsa spot into an underground mecca for rave culture. The cutting-edge sound system made serious noise. Punters queued all the way down past the world’s oldest aquarium, desperate for a wall-to-wall immersion in the sound. And the rest is history.
Despite its initial evolution, Volks has stayed locked into its roots – the RC1 sound system remaining its oracle. People come for the music quality and artists do too: Serum, Congo Natty, Goldie, Sherelle and Ed Solo, to name a few. “Musically motivated” is the motto that shapes the club’s philosophy to this day – and its rules for that matter. There’s no dress code: if you’re there for the music, you’re in. No creeps. No music purists gatekeeping the dancefloor. Energy welcome – the sweat-on-the-walls type.
And so, Mr Volk may have got lucky with his name when he built the famous railway line along the beach beside it – “Volks-” is a German prefix derived from Volk, meaning “of the people”. It’s undoubtedly fitting. Music has always brought people together – from the dark ages to the dark rooms behind the doorman. Volks’ culture at its core is about creating a safe space to let loose – or in most cases, unleash the bass face.
Over the years, it’s welcomed everyone from the mod crew to cabaret performers, from Black Rave Culture to LGBTQ+ focused nights. This year, it ushers in a new era of celebration. Stay tuned, the doors are wide open, just as they always have been.
www.volksclub.co.uk | 3 Madeira Drive, Brighton BN2 1PS
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