Which is to set the standard in rave production (at least) nationwide and more specifically to change the face of the underground dance scene in the Midlands for good.

Mark first became involved in Pandemonium on its second event. Their first event in Telford which was an Acid House party got busted, taken to court and told they couldn’t put on any public entertainment events. But this was by no means the end of Pandemonium who, lived to fight another day – and won. Back then Paul Dawkes and Paul Archer had the enthusiasm and ideas for the event but not the means. So, in stepped Mark who had himself been promoting events since 1981. Mark says, “I used to put on small concerts mainly Northern Soul which is really similar to the dance scene and I used to put on regular events at Southend and Clacton pier + 18 events in Telford – they were pretty lively. Because of this I’d gained a good reputation with the local council over a period of 5 or 6 years which is always handy for a promoter!”

It was only natural that the threesome should group together to create a winning recipe which was going to from – Pandemonium.

Their first few raves held a mass of about 300-400 which was a mere drop in the ocean to the scale of event expected with a Pandemonium today – who’s latest venue – ‘Silverblades’ in Birmingham is set to hold a massive 6,000 people on a regular basis.

They have rocked many a venue but the one Mark is most impressed by was the Sheffield Arena events. “It didn’t sell out but I liked it because it’s the most exclusive venue in the whole of the British Isles. Every man and his dog had been chasing it. I’d been on the case for 5 years – it’s been voted Britain’s best venue for 4 years running so to be able to obtain the venue whatever reason you had to be a quality promoter – you had to be whiter than white – everyone involved was interrogated to make sure everything is perfect. That put a lot of brownie points in Pandemonium’s hat – to be able to say we pulled it off – alongside other venues like Wembley and the London Docklands. It just makes the music industry accept us as a firm, credible part of the industry whereas before you really only had the disco scene. But pulling these venues off it’s like saying we are now here to stay – we’re accepted by the industry which is a firm statement – so Sheffield Arena was a good event for us just in that respect”.

For Mark, the best part about being a promoter is watching the events come together. “People think it’s easy but it’s bloody hard work. It’s 7 days a week and a lot of it is 24 hours a day. You’re always on the phone or running around sorting things out. The actual promotion is a long period of time. You’re employing between 200-300 people on the promotion watching the event build up.

At the end of the day you’ve got thousands of pounds depending on it – it really is bite your nails time – if the tickets don’t sell you’ve lost a fortune and you’re finished. But when they come in and the events successful it’s such a good feeling knowing you’re looking after them. We put on a good show, no blags, no bullshit – we just give them what we tell them on the flyer and more. It’s like Sheffield Arena when we did an event there – they didn’t know they were getting Chill FM, we just like to throw in added extras – that’s the most satisfying part of being a promoter”.

Mark has mutual respect for other event promoters. “I think everyone’s doing well in their own right – Dreamscape, Helter Skelter, United Dance, World Dance, Pleasuredome/Skegness. Then there’s all the clubs around the country – without them you wouldn’t have anywhere to fly so you wouldn’t be able to get your event over to people in Wales or Cumbria or Scotland and Cornwall – everyone is just as important and as valuable to the scene”.

Throughout the time that Pandemonium have been up and running (practically since day dot) they have witnessed and adapted to just about every change the scene had to offer. “The music has changed a lot but to be honest I still class everything under two headings – you’ve got your Hardcore and you’ve got your House – that’s it. I still class Jungle stuff as Hardcore because Drum & Bass is Hardcore. Hardcore, Techno, Drum & Bass – it’s all the same.

Then with your House you’ve got your Garage, whatever. I prefer seeing it that way. I’d rather see all the Hardcore across the spectrum together. If you want to put them in different rooms – put them in different rooms. But when you do separate raves for the different Hardcore that’s when it could damage the scene – like if the scene is going to keep splitting away and say, the Jungle won’t be involved with the Hardcore events that’s when it’s not good for the scene”.

“I can remember years ago when we’d have Sasha alongside Mickey Finn, Grooverider and Top Buzz. Round about ’91 Sasha was playing piano and uplifting music – that’s where the scene started to split and by ’93 it was either House or Hardcore. As far as people’s views go in relation to the scene splitting away further – it’s really up to the individual. But there’s a lot of like Pandemonium, Dreamscape, Helter Skelter, United Dance who mix it up – I think that keeps the events fresh. I like to see different music played where you can appreciate Grooverider, Fabio or LTJ Bukem but also appreciated Vibes, Force & Styles and Slipmatt”.

“At the moment the scene is very healthy and it’s growing weekly”. Although Mark admits that for a lot of clubs and all-nighters the summer months are quieter but come September/October a lot of people begin to apply for memberships and there’s a new influx of people entering the scene. “I’ve found that every year the scene’s definitely getting bigger because there’s more and more new blood coming into it all the time. T
he people who’ve grown with the scene and are now in their late twenties or even early thirties aren’t going to leave it because they aren’t going to find a better scene. The music might change direction slightly but the scene will grow as it stands. Everything about the scene at the moment is really good”.

It certainly is with Pandemonium having found themselves what I’d go as far as to say could be the most potentially exciting venue the rave scene will ever have witnessed on a regular basis (remember you saw it here first!).

As the Pandemonium team link up with Andreas Gregoriou who has made the whole venue possible putting in many an enthusiastic idea into the project as well as taking care of the financial side of things. Together they have restored this ice rink (which has been closed off for the last 7 years) into every raver’s paradise. Although at present still in its early stages of development you can see that this has the basic ingredients of a well tasty dish.

The venue itself is a splendid affair consisting of 5 rooms (including a massive main arena) a Sega games room (where a massive £2 million had been spent on the games alone – you can’t say you won’t be spoilt for choice here). The equipment in here is going to be the 2nd best in the country with only the London Trocadero being one step ahead (not bad eh – considering this is just a rave!), there is also a ‘glass room’ which is where a slanted balcony overlooking the dance arena made out of glass gives an original arena. There’s also (yes, there’s more) a sports bar/club type arena kitted out to the brim with pool tables and alcohol (what more could you ask for!). Believe me you will want for nothing at this venue.

The main arena has got just about every visual illusion you can think of down to even the most precise details. With no expenses cut and endless imagination you can gaze at either the (massive) screen high on one of the main walls which will be showing the rave at that moment from all areas including the stage, the dancefloor, and DJ etc…

There’s also various 3D trippy illusions like the painted on ski slope with a man coming out of it or the rock climber crawling up one of the walls – obviously they aren’t real but they’d do a good job of catching you out when you’re out of it! Across the ceiling (as well as the already installed rough lighting system) are neon strips which in the night will light up to look like streaks of lightening and will be in perfect synchronisation to the build ups and breakdowns of a tune.

Outside the venue the precision is just as detailed. Eventually the security controlled car park will have a tunnel linking it to the event so everyone can have a worry-free night (what a thoughtful bunch – stepping well outside of a promoters role to ensure you lot have the best night possible).

The building will look like it’s out of some glitzy LA show with it all being mirrored glass except for one wall which will have a massive video screen letting everyone outside know exactly what’s happening inside – an original idea for anyone who can do it. This venue is definitely going to put Birmingham back on the map again and will probably see the rest of the country in awe of the Birmingham experience too.

Once every month there will be either a House or a Hardcore event (which will rotate every month so that one occurs every 2nd month). These will be massive with all areas of the venue being used. The other 40 weeks of the year the club will be running through the night (often starting at 1am and going right through). The dance floor will be sealed off and music will be House because there is a massive demand for House in Birmingham. It being extra special because there has never been a House event of this scale or quality put on before.

Although the ice rink will be closed off to the general public for the ‘smaller events’. It is not going to waste. Oh no siree! There will be a no holds barred live hockey match going on as well as a breathtaking laser show on the ice just to give an alternative focus if need be. This is something no other nightclub had probably dreamed of – let alone had the means to do!

“We’re trying to work hard for the scene. The whole point of this new venue is to build it up to get the scene back on its fee in the Midlands. It’s slowed down to a very steady trot at the moment which is down to the fact that this place has taken so long to get off the ground. We want to get Pandemonium back up there – get it successful – and we want to do it for the scene as much as anything else”.

“There has been so much trouble linked to Birmingham lately but there will be none of it in here. We’ve got security inside and outside the venue – especially on the night. No one will even be allowed in the queue until they’ve gone through the tunnel. This is a security tight queuing system and you have to have a ticket to get there. There will be 30-40 cameras monitoring the whole venue”. Nothing is kicking off in there then!

With this venue looking set to open in early September and the first Pandemonium all-nighter in November the imaginative, creative energy channelled into this project is sure to prove Pandemonium as the innovators and discoverers of a legendary venue. Pandemonium having had such a huge impact on the scene’s history now looks set to change the shape of it’s future…