aaamusic | On 10, Aug 2010

XOYO is a unique new events space, set up as an alternative platform and venue for London’s live music, club and arts scene.  XOYO is the conversion of an old printing works, the insides of which have been purpose built.  In a prime London location – literally minutes from Old St tube – it will accommodate the very best in club nights, gigs and special events.

The space which spreads across two floors has a capacity of up to 800.  The main room is housed in the basement and has a high ceiling distinguished by pillars, three unique pod-like bars, mobile staging and a d&b sound system.  The ground floor houses a room which is equally as substantial and also boasts an outside smoking terrace.
“XOYO couldn’t have come at a better time for club promoters. Bugged Out have been roaming the city in search of somewhere to lay our hat since The End closed and this venue has a great location, a unique layout and is the right size to put on big events whilst retaining the intimacy we always need for our parties” – John Burgess ‘Bugged Out’
 
From independent live promoters perspective like Eat Your Own Ears and Upset the Rhythm, to giants like SJM and Live Nation, XOYO is a welcomed addition to the live circuit with its mid-sized live room – capacity: 450 – it’s perfect for upcoming shows from the likes of Mount Kimbie, Dan Deacon, Monarchy, Errors and No Age.
 
“I am really excited about hosting Eat Your Own Ears gigs at XOYO, London has been crying out for a new multi-room venue. I think the space is perfectly located and also has great advantages for programming a live music or club event simultaneously” – Tom Baker Eat Your Own Ears

XOYO is a space for special one-off events like Urban Nerds’ Halloween party, Rockfeedback’s 10th anniversary, the latest Kitsune compilation launch, Lovebox festival’s reunion, a Digital Soundboy showcase and concept night Swaparama’s post festival shindig.  A quick glance at the people behind XOYO demonstrates the pedigree and diversity Londoners can expect and look forward to, as XOYO will be devoted to putting on only the very best live band and club nights.
 
“Having first found this space in 1999 and waiting until now to get the doors open has been a bit of a journey. But being at this point is incredibly exciting. There’s been a lot of time to think about the space, how it looks, how it works, what’s needed to make it great and most importantly who gets involved, from partners to audience to performers. It’s been well worth the wait!” – Cymon Eckel  
 
XOYO is the brainchild of Cymon Eckel with Marcus Weedon, Tom Baker and Johnno Burgess along with the Ingenious Entertainment VCTs and The Vinyl Factory (owners of Phonica Records, FACT magazine and the former EMI vinyl pressing plant in Middlesex)
 
At the birth of acid house, Eckel was a founder of the legendary fanzine, club night and label, Boys Own (along with Andrew Weatherall and Terry Farley), and is also the man behind east London pubs The Griffin and The Britannia.  Marcus Weedon is one of the key founders of London’s most discerning, pioneering and unique music festivals Field Day and the 14+ Underage which have both been a huge success since 2007.  Both Eckel and Weedon were also behind institutional 90’s Soho bar Riki Tiks and the indie-leaning Vapour club nights.  
 
Tom Baker set up promotions company Eat Your Own Ears (EYOE) and has worked with some of the most diverse and exciting acts across the musical spectrum such as Mercury nominated acts The XX, The Horrors and Florence and the Machine, Baker is also head of music programming for the Field Day and Underage festivals.  The final XOYO founder is John Burgess, the co-creator of legendary club night Bugged Out! Burgess also co-founded cult club magazine Jockey Slut in the nineties, has since been involved in setting up dummymag.com and is also one of Field Day’s founding members.
With this team in place expect a multitude of very special events, gigs and shows to come out of XOYO from mid September giving London a much needed new creative hub in the process.

Listings:
·      Weds Sept 15th Launch night. Details TBC.
·      Thurs Sept 16th Upset The Rhythm presents Dan Deacon, Sewn Leather, DJ Dog Dick. £10 adv. 8pm
·      Thurs Sept 16th Smash & Grab launch party with Queens of Noize and friends.  10pm
·      Friday September 17th Rockfeedback X. British Sea Power, Future of the Left, Anna Calvi, Three Trapped Tigers. DJs: The Maccabees, Bloc Party vs Co-Pilot, Geoff Travis and more.  £14adv. 8pm
·      Saturday September 18th Bugged Out Friendly Fires/L-Vis 1990/Untold.  £13 adv. 10pm
·      Tuesday Sept 21st Eat Your Own Ears presents Mount Kimbie £7 adv. 8pm
·      Wednesday Sept 22nd SJM presents Monarchy £8 adv. 8pm
·      Thursday Sept 23rd Smash & Grab . 10pm
·      Friday September 24th Swaparama from 9pm. £5 adv.  9pm
·      Saturday September 25th Eat Your Own Ears & Bloggers Delight Dark Star – live, James Blake, Ramadanman, Casper C, Skull Juice. £9 adv. 10pm
·      Thursday Sept 30th Smash & Grab  10pm
Friday October 1st FACT Loefah, Ikonika, Lone (live), Pariah, FACT DJs. £8 adv.  10pm
·      Saturday October 2nd Neon Noise Project: We Have Band, Human Life, Surkin, DJ Feadz, Punks Jump Up, J-Bag. £tbc. 10pm.

Following a drought of decent venues in the capital the arrival of XOYO is a relief for club nights needing homes such as Bugged Out, Urban Nerds, Neon Noise Project and Durrr.

Events, DJ’s and live acts confirmed for the opening months:
Events:
Bastard Batty Bass
Bloggers Delight presents Bleed
Bugged Out!
Durrr
Eat Your Own Ears
Neon Noise Project
Smash & Grab
Swaparama
Urban Nerds
 
DJ’s:
Erol Alkan
DJ Feadz
Friendly Fires
Hannah Holland
James Blake
Joker
L-Vis 1990
Ramadanman
Simian Mobile Disco
Surkin
Untold
Wild Geese
Live:
Dan Deacon
Errors
Hot City
James Yuill
Junip
Mount Kimbie
No Age
Twilight Sad
We Have Band
Wood Pigeon
Xiu Xiu