WINTER | FEATURE
“The ‘Shoreditch halo’ is effecting the
whole East End”
– Vibration Group strategy & creative director,
Simeon Aldred
Images of Printworks, a venue that has
transformed the East’s cultural scene
(infrastructure/accessibility) will
make it futureproofed?
The East End is booming. The
‘Shoreditch halo’ is effecting the
whole East End and as new train
lines and cross rail coming on line,
new areas like Greenwich, Silver
Town, Canada Water and the
like are going to boom with new
culture.
What kinds of events are you
hoping to attract and what is your
USP?
I guess our core USP is the
flexibility and simplicity of the
space.
We are in talking with a number
of culture operators, exhibition
organisers, award shows and
parties to be hosted in late 2019
and beyond.
Printworks
Bridge less than 10mins away
and great links to the West End,
Shoreditch and the new culture
audiences developing in South
London...Peckham etc, etc. Also
a big part of our decision to go
to Greenwich Peninsula was the
relationship with Knight Dragon,
the developer of the land. In our
view they are some of the most
forward thinking place-makers in
the UK and a great partner for us.
How is the East End developing
for events, and what factors
26
Bradley Thompson. managing
director Broadwick Live & Venues
How has the venue been received?
I really believe that we have
created a space that people want to
come too and artists, bands and DJ
ultimately really want to play. The
architecture is perfect for dance
music, and given that it is already
soundproofed from its days as a
printing factory for the Metro and
Evening Standard it provides the
perfect accoustics, so even at full
capacity the parties and events feel
very intimate.
The next job for us is really
proving the Printworks as a venue
can work for live music, we have
recently constructed a 3000+
capacity live space situated in
the hall next to the Press Halls
which has already hosted the
likes of Django Django, Pendulum,
Tokio Meyers, Bugzy Malone and
Chromo along with upcoming
shows from Bicep, Skepta and
Rufus De Soul.
Has closing hours been
restrictive?
No not at all, we actually have
as 2am licence, however very
rarely use it with the majority of
the weekend events taking place
during the daytime and finishing
by 11pm.
What have been some key events
for you?
It’s very difficult to pick
individual standout events as we
have such an eclectic and packed
schedule, and in many ways
each show is the culmination of
everything that has come before.
We are incredibly restless when
it comes to constantly bettering
the Printworks experience for
everyone, and are absolutely
committed to unparalleled
line-ups, production and venue
creativity.
I guess if I had to pick one
personally, it would have to be
disco legend DJ Harvey who
played earlier this year… Looking
forward, I can’t wait for Bicep who
have three sold out live shows and
Skepta in mid-December who are
all playing in the newly developed
and constructed live venue at the
Printworks.