“The perfect small club”: 7 DJs pay tribute to Wire, a legendary Leeds nightclub

In the heart of Leeds, Wire bids its final farewell this weekend after 18 years of helping to shape the city's nightlife landscape. In an announcement shared last month, the venue declared that Wire would close “permanently” on Sunday, June 2.

“Although the journey is about to end, we are grateful for the past 18 years & our mission to create an underground electronic music venue dedicated to drum ‘n’ bass, house, and techno that Leeds could be proud of has been well & truly achieved,” the club wrote in a statement.

As the beloved club prepares to shut its doors, the collective sentiment is one of profound loss. Wire wasn't just a venue; it was a cultural institution that served as a cornerstone for the city's underground music scene. To reflect on its legacy, Mixmag spoke to seven DJs and promoters with close ties to the club about their experiences and the impact Wire had.

“Wire is a perfect example of a small club that both incubated talent and delivered events with bigger names across a long and varied history,” says Paul Woolford, also known by many for his Special Request alias, succinctly capturing the essence of Wire's significance. His reminiscence of countless nights spent there, both as a performer and a patron, reflects Wire's role in nurturing emerging artists and providing a platform for established ones.

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A local Leeds legend, Nightmares on Wax toasted the venue's storied past, recalling the days of Headz club events and the myriad of legendary nights at the venue. “Wire has long been a venue of classic stories,” he reminisced. “Many legends have blessed this venue. It will surely be missed.”

Wire represented more than just a place to perform for SHERELLE; it was a sanctuary for underground culture. “I am very sad about the closing of Wire because it's one of the few real underground places we have left,” she lamented. Her sentiment echoes the collective sadness felt by many who saw Wire as a bright spot of authenticity in an increasingly commercialised landscape.

Midland’s roots in Wire run deep: he’s been a regular since a move to Leeds for university in 2006, including stints working as a glass collector, floor sweep and the behind the bar after graduation, and has helmed its booth many times over the years. He emphasised its significance as a breeding ground for musical exploration. “Wire was and always will be the perfect small club,” he affirms. “It will be sorely missed and a reminder that we need to support and prioritise small venues more than ever.”

Wire’s closure is unfortunately not a rare occurrence in Leeds, other notable clubs such as Sheaf Street have sadly closed their doors. This sadly isn’t just reflective of the state of nightlife in Leeds, but the nation as a whole. As reported last year, concerning data from CGA Neilson revealed 30% of clubs in the UK closed between June 2020 and June 2023, while five nightclubs have been lost every week of 2024 so far.

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“Wire has played such an important and under-recognized role in the cultural fabric of Leeds,” says Dubrunner, co-runner of Stretchy Dance Supply, saluting Wire's integral role in Leeds' creative community. From its humble beginnings as Cafe Mex / Think Tank in the ’90s, Wire's basement has been a sanctuary for cutting-edge dance music, fostering innovation and creativity for nearly three decades.

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Moreover, Dubrunner emphasised Wire's commitment to nurturing emerging talent, noting: “There’s such a lack of spaces to platform emerging artists, Wire has always backed us bringing new talent like Stones Taro, Introspekt, DJ Plead, Philo & Surusinghe to Leeds.” The venue's unwavering support for up-and-coming artists like those showcased by Stretchy Dance Supply speaks volumes about its dedication to fostering a vibrant and diverse music community.

Reflecting on the vibrant community that thrived within Wire's walls, Nova Cheq highlights its role as a catalyst for creative expression. “There was so much community and love there, a space where creatives could get together from all walks and find common ground,” he commented. His words echo the sentiment shared by many who found solace and inspiration within Wire's embrace.

“Wire has been an instrumental part of the underground electronic music scene, not only in Leeds but across the UK,” says Tañ, real name Tanya Sanadze, who moved to Leeds for university in 2012 where she cut her teeth spinning dubstep. “Many of my student nights were spent in that basement, back in the days of weeknight Jamz with Elijah and Skilliam, Acetate, and the Hessle Audio crew over the years. It formed a lot of the basis of my music taste and I feel lucky to have experienced it in its heyday, some real sweatbox nights in there!”

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“Then having the pleasure to play there a number of times was a real full circle moment. It’s such a shame so many of these smaller clubs are really struggling with rising costs and slow ticket sales. I feel as though post-COVID clubbing has changed so much about how punters approach nightlife and soon we’ll be left with nothing but soulless super clubs, when I feel like the culture benefits from having genuine diverse options and spaces for smaller collectives and artists to experiment and thrive.”

As Wire prepares to close its doors, the echoes of its legacy reverberate throughout the city. Yet, amidst the sadness, there is hope for the future. As Nova Cheq optimistically remarks: “Let’s hope something rises from the ashes.” Wire may be bidding farewell, but its spirit of innovation and community will no doubt endure in the heart of Leeds.

Wire’s final party takes place on June 1

Joshua Crowe is a freelance writer, follow him on Twitter