Andy Peyton has been a big part of the London clubbing scene for a number of years. He does the bookings for The Nest and The Old Queen's Head, co-owns XOYO, and has just opened up Phonox in Brixton. We went down last month to see what the new club had to offer and we were in safe hands as YoungOnes interviewee, Jasper James, was at the controls with Leftroom boss, Matt Tolfrey.
We were blown away by the new space which boasts an incredibly clear Funktion-One soundsystem, a downstairs bar, and an amazing lighting rig which was controlled live by two visual technicians.
Y.O: First of all Andy, could you give our readers a quick idea of your background, and a brief summary of what you do now.
A.P: I am a director and head of music and promotion for XOYO, The Nest and Phonox night clubs. I used to be a promoter and music consultant for various brands.
Y.O: You’ve just opened up a new club in Brixton (which I’m delighted about because it’s down my way!), why did you decide to venture over the river?
A.P: We became aware that Plan B was for sale, and felt that is had the potential to be a great club with some changes. Brixton is in a great place at the moment, and it deserves a great club.
Y.O: The new club sells advance tickets at £5 for both Friday and Saturday nights which seems incredibly good value in comparison to other venues of a similar size. Is there any particular reason behind pricing the club at this rate or is it because the club is so new?
A.P: We want a loyal community of clubbers so that we can try things and people will trust us to come. That takes some investment from our side to earn that trust, so that's why we are pricing it so low at present.
Y.O: We’re all coming down on Saturday night to see Y.O interviewee Jasper James who holds the residency then. You seem to have a soft spot for residencies in your clubs - XOYO hosted The 2 Bears, Jackmaster, Bicep, and Simian Mobile Disco. Jasper is of course a smaller DJ at the moment in comparison, yet what is it about residents and why Jasper in particular?
A.P: The XOYO Residency series proved to me that people will come back if what you deliver is good enough. A DJ coming back to the same place genuinely develops a relationship with the crowd and vice versa - it is how many scenes and musical movements were born. Jasper is a great DJ who I had seen play many times before we bought Phonox, and I wanted to work with him for a long time. This seemed like the perfect opportunity.
Y.O: While most clubs open at 10 or 11pm on weekends, Phonox invites people in from 6pm. Presumably the DJs don’t come on until a bit later, so is the club looking to adopt a more lounge-styled vibe before the party really gets going?
A.P: The DJs start at 10pm, but we have a bar downstairs for earlier drinking. We have a membership scheme where they get free entry and half priced drinks before 10pm, we hope people will come and get to know one another before it all kicks off.
Y.O: With over 2000 promoters in London, what set you apart from the others before you took on The Nest, XOYO and The Old Queen’s Head?
A.P: The trust I received from Steve and Riz my business partners, who initially had faith in me when they bought The Nest, and have backed me ever since.
Y.O: Being a promoter is obviously not a 9 to 5 job and I’ve read that bar a couple of occasions, you’ve been at XOYO every weekend since its inception. What’s your typical week like and how do you keep going?!
A.P: I tend to work 9am or 10am until 5pm or 7pm in the week, then go to the clubs at the weekend. It is not a hardship, it's a privilege to do what I enjoy.
Y.O: What would you say are the key differences between The Nest, XOYO and Phonox?
A.P: I think each has it's own crowd, and the music reflects that. The Nest is quite intense and so attracts a slightly younger crowd than XOYO I would say.
Y.O: It seems pretty difficult to anticipate how London nightlife is developing, obviously Plastic People, amongst others, closed last year but other clubs seem to be opening up all over the place. How do you see London’s clubbing scene in the future?
A.P: I think as London grows and younger people move further out in order to afford rent, the city will sprawl and clubs and scenes will sprawl with it.
Y.O: Finally, you’ve got Gilles Peterson, Kenny Dope, and DJ Sneak coming up in the next couple of months at Phonox, all of whom are incredible artists. Is there anyone that you haven’t booked in the past that you’d love to book in the future?
A.P: I have a list actually, but i'll get them all eventually.
Words by Matthew Barnett