Lights Down Low

Lights Down Low began in its life in February 2002 as a small party, which came together in an illicit late night function room hidden away in Sheffields city centre. Bored with the options for going out in Sheffield the people behind low life music, a record shop based in the south of the city, thought it would be cool to throw a night for their friends and other misfits. It was to be ticket only, with the music intended to reflect the real feel of a house party; different tempos and different styles. Party-goers entered by ducking through an ill lit back street, up a spiralling fire escape and through derelict kitchens into the party, which was candle lit, decked with red drapes, and very special! The system literally melted the amplifier as the DJs spun artists such as Gwen McCrae, Adonis, Barry White, Moodymann, Michael Jackson and ragga bootlegs. This was our refuge, our hideaway, souls children dancing and drinking and smiling in the dark away from all the bullshit. Word got around and the parties developed a sound, a vibe, and for the next 18 months every episode of LDL saw the 250 capacity venue sell out to a loyal crowd of misfits built on word of mouth, with each one of these sweaty months seeing different guests detonate the place with their music. Blackbeard, the Unabombers, Eyes Down, Soul Jazz and Rainer Truby all killed it!