The story of the Loft parties in London begins in 2001 when David Mancuso was invited by Nuphonic to musically host an evening in celebration of the launch of the compilation series David Mancuso presents The Loft. The series was produced by David and Colleen ‘Cosmo’ Murphy, who had helped and musically hosted at the Loft in New York City in the 90’s. Colleen came up with the idea for the Loft compilations to financially help David and to increase public awareness of his incredible influence and legacy. Fifteen years after house had emerged from the underground, people were becoming more interested in the source – not just disco but what had helped to shape it as a musical and cultural phenomenon. The timing of the two Loft compilations was in many ways perfect.
Beginnings
The London Loft at The Light Bar, photo Guillaume Chottin
The first Loft party in London took place on 7th May at 93 Feet East on Brick Lane. It was an invitation only party and, due to the interest generated in the compilations, was attended by most of London’s underground dance music cognoscenti who were keen to witness the first UK appearance of David. He was an enigmatic figure who, somewhat ironically, was often name-checked by the likes of David Morales, Frankie Knuckles and Louie Vega as being the originator of the underground dance scene but had remained in semi-obscurity. At the party dancers were treated to David’s carefully curated selections played on vinyl in their full-length glory for seven hours. For many this was a revelatory moment.
The night was such a success that before it was even over the idea began circulating about having another Loft party in London as soon as possible. David asked Colleen to be involved and wrote, “I always feel better when you are there as you are the only person who can back up with the music and handle the audio equipment properly. the same as you did with the Loft parties in NYC many a time. I would not have taken on this project if you were not available to do this.” A collective was formed and, after a finding a suitable space, they struggled to hire the audiophile equipment that met David’s exacting standards. They eventually bought their own sound system to replicate the sonic experience of the Loft in New York. The first party took place at the Light Bar in London’s Shoreditch in June 2003.
Photo (c) Matt Cheetham
“We started the first party as the Loft (party) in London, a concept that works anywhere as long as people want it to and act in good faith. I was quite honored to be asked by all of you to bring the concept/model i.e. The Loft party from (NYC) to London and for me to start the Loft party/in London with all of you. I would not have done this if I felt in any way that this concept and lifestyle...if you will...would in any shape way or form be exploited.”
David Mancuso
News travelled fast about this magical party in Shoreditch where the ceiling was covered in balloons and where the music sounded sonically and vibrationally enhanced, allowing the dancers to truly lose themselves in music. People came to appreciate music on the dance floor in a seemingly new way, with a pause for breath (and sometimes spontaneous applause) before the next piece of musical magic burst forth from the carefully placed Klipschorn speakers. It was a land of make believe where children danced with balloons and adults reconnected with their inner child.
The Shoreditch parties were timed to coincide with the equinoxes and solstices and continued four times a year until 2011. By this point David had been advised by his physician to stop travelling abroad. At the same time the Light Bar was set to close as the area around it was being gentrified (thankfully the Light Bar – a former Edwardian electrical power station – was preserved as part of the new development so can still be seen today). A new venue for the party was found in a 1960s community centre in Dalston – and for the next 5 years with David’s blessing, his vision of a “Loft in London” continued to evolve and inspire new generations of dancers.
David Mancuso at The London Loft Party, Photo Vincent Villard
David Mancuso left the earthy realm in November 2016. A memorial service was held at the London space on the Saturday night before the party, where the London Loft community had chance to reminisce, laugh and cry together. It was also a time to give thanks to David and his heartfelt championing of inclusivity, egalitarianism, respect and love. We celebrated David’s belief in the power of music to bring likeminded people together and act as a catalyst for positive social change.
“I don't want to go into 'I won't always be here' thing, but if I'm not here tomorrow, we now know what to do and what not to do.”
David Mancuso
Guillaume Chottin, Photo Vincent Villard
David always stressed that the party should be able to go on in his absence but equally he was very decisive about who should musically host and who should not as he was careful about the names he wanted associated as Loft musical hosts. David entrusted his friend Colleen with both musical hosting and overseeing the sound system and in turn this was expanded to include one party a year being hosted by two long serving members of the set-up team who David thought had the “right energy”, Guillaume Chottin and Simon Halpin. For David it was a combined process of divination and a gut feeling.
David & Simon Halpin, photo Guillaume Chottin
Musical and cultural ripples emanated around the UK and Europe after that inaugural London Loft party in 2001. In fact, it has become something of a beautiful phenomenon and it is something we are all proud of (thank you David). We welcome likeminded spirits to our Loft parties at The London Irish Centre, a community centre in Camden where we have been hosting The London Loft since 2023. We hope you can join for a few magical hours on a Sunday to reconnect with your inner child and give yourself over to the power of the music and the spiritual elation of the dance.
Love saves the day.
David & Colleen at 93 Feet East, photo Dave Swindells
