IT’S UNLIKELY THAT MANY BUSINESSES have a job position entitled “Head of Vibe”. If they do, you’d imagine they’d be either a sad assemblage of unfunny people — you’ve maybe seen those You Don’t Have To Be Crazy To Work Here But It Helps! signs — or people who are, well, cool.
Shout About has such a position and a brief chat with the HoV, Stuart Groves, and his colleague, Head of Agency Ben Gamble, suggests that the company is far from sad.
The model is simple. Groves says: “We work with landlords to get ‘meanwhile use’ of their inactive sites; be they waiting on planning permission, redevelopment or demolition — short-term opportunities.”
Their latest short-termer — the subterranean Minus One at Hackney E8 3FN, near bus stops and London Fields overground station — aims at a youthful clientele.
While an investor awaits planning permission to develop the site of the much-missed Wringer and Mangle restaurant, Shout About will stage DJ sets, live gigs from up-and-coming and better-known performers, and brunch parties, as well as art exhibitions and other cultural events.
Asked what’s with the pop-up’s crazy name, Groves told Loving Dalston: “We seem to lose another performance space in London every month. Minus One alludes to this.”
The site has had trouble, closures and shocking violence — what will Shout About do to make the venue work?
Groves said: “The ground floor we have sub-let to immersive dining specialists Funicular Productions, who bring with them huge footfall.
“The basement that is Minus One has had a lighting and sound upgrade, making it a space where London’s top promoters and labels can showcase their acts.”
The opening is this week (fine details below). With Bossy LDN and Hotel Radio Paris hosting, the venue should be popular. Another empty premises put to work.
Hamish Scott 260220
* Minus One, 2 Warburton Road, corner Mentmore Terrace, Hackney E8 3FN (020 7111 7712), Friday 28 February 2020, 10pm-3am (late licence), £5. Good disabled access. Venue capacity 700-plus, three bars (the negroni was well-necked by Loving Dalstoners on press night). Click on this video to see Irish band Inhaler playing a promotional gig at Minus One.
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